2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak "gunstock" t&g question

[Richard]

2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

Ok... the base question is

"Is tavern grade flooring the same as utility grade"

The situation is, do we want to return roughly 600 sq/ft of "tavern grade" which entails carrying 25 boxes down 1 flight of stairs, loading into trailor & returning 90 miles away. After returning that wood, and on way home (roughly 35 miles away) buy the "utility grade" flooring, return home & carry the 25 boxes back UP the stairs...

All in the name of saving roughly $480??

Both are located at "salvage' locations. The further location allows returns of unused boxes, the closer location has a sign out denying ANY returns.

Furthermore, the nearer location will NOT allow you to look into boxes to see how similar the bulk of the wood is.

We are aware that this is not #1 flooring, but it's going into a log house and she kind of likes the distressed angle. (not to mention saving a few $$)

I know I know I know..... what can I say, other than it's all for the wife?

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[Richard]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

Not sure if the question was totally clear... it's for FLOORING. We're redoing the master br.

 

[OkeeDon]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

I can't specifically answer your question about "tavern" and "ututlity" grade; not having heard those terms before. All I know is that when I bought T&G oak flooring for my cabin, I bought from the bottom of the barrel - #2 oak, about 2-1/2" x 3/4", random lengths, many as short as 8" - 10", none over 60", and random colors - what the dealer called "schoolhouse" flooring, because it was the cheapest thing available, and thus suitable for use in a government building that would be abused by children. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

But, that was exactly the look I wanted. He had a sample installed in one of his offices, and I loved it. I figured, oak is oak, so what? It turned out that there were no voids, very few knots (I really can't remember any), just a bunch of short, narrow pieces that were likely cut from short, narrow branches, varying from reddish to yellowish in color. It took a bit longer to install because of the small pieces, but I mixed the colors up as well as I could (opening several bundles at once), and got just what I wanted. I wasn't looking for a ballroom floor...and I would have carried it all back if I could have saved $100, let alone $480.

By the way, it only took me 8 years to install 600 sq ft of it - working one day of a weekend about 6 times a year when we visited the cabin. We've had the cabin 15 years, now, and the ceiling is still not up in that downstairs area... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif...but I only get there about once a year, now.

 

[Richard]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

Welp, I guess that's one vote (or is it a hanging chad? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) for the wifeypoo.

I just knew what the flavor of the response would be... I guess I'd better go bone up on my "Bodies by Jake" so I can muscle these darn boxes down, out then back up.

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[Currmudgeon]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I bought from the bottom of the barrel - #2 oak, about 2-1/2" x 3/4", random lengths, many as short as 8" - 10", none over 60", and random colors )</font>

I did that in my old kitchen, and it came out nice. It does take a little extra time to match the colors, or more properly to artistically mismatch them.

I'm an injunear. I don't do colors, that's arkeetekture. My wife selected and laid out the planks, and I nailed them down. Invoking a higher power is always the answer to arteestic problems. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[OkeeDon]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

Oh, heck, I had a sure-fire way to get a random, creative pattern. I tried to get a symmetric, organized pattern!

 

[gotrocks]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

Makes me remember years ago... a local "do-it-yourself" store sold ceramic tile and "AAA" grade was the lowest grade offered.

"A grade by any other name......" No that's a Rose ....

<font color="red">Furthermore, the nearer location will NOT allow you to look into boxes to see how similar the bulk of the wood is.
</font>

I'd be a little reluctant to buy sight unseen.

 

[Richard]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

I'm withya Gotrocks..

Since I first posted here, she's (my higher power) /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif gone from taking it back, buying other & saving the $$, then she swayed back (after my parallel comment) to we'll keep what we have...

Today, she is back on the 'return' kick and had me call the "new" place.. get this.. the new place says 'utility' is one or two grades ABOVE 'tavern' grade, though he said he wasn't sure... and the other day, when I called the origional place, they said that 'tavern' grade was above 'utility'. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif lol this is almost becoming comical.


Tomorrow, my artistic boss is driving to the new place to outright purchase a box so she can then 'legally' open it and she will then make HER decision based on that box (and having viewed one box of current stuff).

Myself? I don't really care one way or another, as I'd been just as happy buying the "regular first grade" stuff... after all, 20 years from now, what's the deal with saving $500?

So the moral of this story is, go ahead & splurge the extra $$ today to get the hydro for the tractor. (tie back to forum rules).. after all, what's the extra $$ gonna matter years hence?

And I'll bet you all thought this mental exercise was regarding flooring?

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[Kyle_in_Tex]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

I don't have much to add but I find it hard to believe a business can stay in business making folks buy flooring sight unseen. Especially something as variable as wood...

 

[Richard]

Re: 2 1/2 x 3/4 solid oak \"gunstock\" t&g question

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I find it hard to believe a business can stay in business making folks buy flooring sight unseen. Especially something as variable as wood... )</font>

Kyle.. BOTH places my wife's been looking have been "salvage" places.

My understanding is they buy overstocks, damaged, odd lots, or other varieties of things that I do not know. They are not a retailer for specific vendors. Go there this week, they have "A, B, C" on the floor, go one month from now, and that is all gone and "X, Y, Z" is on floor.

Personally, I don't much care to peruse there at all (any of them) but she's a shopping type and will not let any stone go unturned. so I let her make the artistic decisions & I figure out how to make it happen

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