DF Picklewood Bottoms for Table Tops

Specification Sheet #2211 - Picklewood Millwork Stock

Species

Primarily Douglas Fir

Source

Pickle Vats salvaged from different sites in North America

Holes

Occasional small nail holes; no visible bolt holes (boards were sometimes assembled with wood dowels so there can be some dowel holes on the edge)

Knots

Essentially clear. Some boards will have pin knots.

Checking/Cracks

Unlimited as long as board is sound; end cracks to extend no more than 6" into board; some boards have dark checking, making them ideal for a distressed millwork product

Grain Pattern

Tight grain; Mixed

Moisture Content/Stability

Kiln-Dried

Standard Dimensions

a) Thickness (net): 4/4"; b) Width (nominal): 4"-7"; actual widths typically range from 1/2" under listed width to full listed width (6" boards would typically measure from 5 1/2" to 6", for example); and c) Length: 1' increments up to 7'

Available Dimensions

a) Thickness: up to 10/4"; b) Width: up to 12"; Length: up to 12'

Weight

Typically, approximately 3 pounds per board foot

Surfacing

Band-Sawn

Salt/Minerals

Picklewood materials contain significant amounts of salt and other minerals, creating special characteristics and/or considerations like those described in the following items.

Color/Appearance

The coloring of individual Picklewood boards varies widely. Weathered faces can include a range of grays and browns (the exterior of the pickle vats generally weathered to grays, while the interior generally weathered to browns.) Processed Picklewood materials have color variations which range from normal Douglas Fir coloring to color combinations unique to Picklewood materials.

Finishes/Glues

Certain finishes and glues do not work well with Picklewood materials. Most importantly, DO NOT USE WATER-BASED FINISHES.

Metal Corrosiveness

Picklewood materials can have a corrosive effect on metal fasteners, machinery and saw blades. Stainless steel fasteners should be used in lieu of regular steel fasteners, especially in applications involving the likely mixing of Picklewood, moisture and oxygen.

Moisture

Picklewood absorbs moisture more readily than typical Douglas Fir. Picklewood material (especially material with air dry or kiln dry time) should be handled, stored and transported carefully to minimize any unnecessary reabsorption of moisture.

Odor

Picklewood materials often have a strong pickling smell to them. This odor is especially strong as wet material is
being cut or otherwise processed. It tends to become less and less of an issue as material is allowed to air dry (or as material is kiln dried).

Salt Leaching

As moisture is drawn out of Picklewood materials, it brings salt with it. Salt leaching tends to be the most concentrated at knots and material ends, but can happen anywhere. Air dry time (and kiln drying) reduces, but does not eliminate, salt leaching. Approaches to salt leaching include sanding and refinishing impacted areas to doing nothing (and letting the salt serve as one of the most visible evidences of the history and reclaimed nature of Picklewood materials.) Salt is more visible on processed materials than on as-is materials.

Appearance Variation

Boards can vary in appearance from piece to piece and even within a piece. The characteristics described on this specification sheet generally apply to each board's featured face. The opposite face and edges can differ from the featured face in texture, coloring, and other characteristics unless otherwise noted.