Made some great barn poles

[GreenYellow]

I'm adding on to my old pole barn. I already have all the materials except the poles. All options were looking expensive. Modern day treated lumber is pathetic and expensive, so I really didn't want to go that route. Metal poles were a thought, but also expensive. I started thinking about the old pile of used electric poles laying in the woods. They are big ones -- 14"-18" diameter, and oozing with creosote. WAY too big to handle or use as poles.

I decided to rip them with the chainsaw, so I skidded a couple of them up to the barn. First I ripped them in half. Still too big. I ripped them in half again, so now they were quarters, with 2 flat sides (like a pickle spear). The flat sides are roughly 8" so they're perfect size for a barn pole. They'll last forever, as they are just oozing with creosote. Black, stinky, and heavy as you'll ever see.

It wasn't easy, but MAN it's gratifying to have 8 "forever" poles that I never could have purchased otherwise. Only cost I have in it is a little chainsaw gas.

It was dark and rainy when I finished, so this is the only photo I have.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Excellent.

 

[davesl708]

Good way to repurpose the old poles.

 

[MMagis]

I’m sure they’ll work fine for what you’re doing, but those old creosote poles don’t last forever. That’s why they’re “old” poles and not still being used. As I’m sure you noticed, cutting them is like cutting through a stick of butter. I haven’t found them to be particularly strong.

 

[cartod]

I gave these 2 poles a second life on the dock.

 

[GreenYellow]

I’m sure they’ll work fine for what you’re doing, but those old creosote poles don’t last forever. That’s why they’re “old” poles and not still being used. As I’m sure you noticed, cutting them is like cutting through a stick of butter. I haven’t found them to be particularly strong.

Actually, I couldn't disagree more.
"Forever" is a figurative term in this context. By forever, I mean as long as I could possibly want or expect them to last. They will outlast the rest of the structure, and probably me.
The poles were not discarded because they were already decades old -- they were leftovers from a fairly recent project and abandoned by the contractor. They were cut off's of various lengths.
As for ease ofcutting them, they were like cutting through steel. WAY harder than any hardwood tree. Similar to Bodark. Had to sharpen the chain 3 times to cut 2 poles into quarters.
They are literally oozing with creosote. Black, sticky, thick and heavy. The poles ring like fresh wood when you hit them with a hammer. They couldn't be any stronger.

Sorry your experience isn't the same.

 

[GreenYellow]

I gave these 2 poles a second life on the dock.

That's a great looking setup. Nice work.

 

[MMagis]

I don’t know, maybe those around your area are different. The ones I’ve worked with weren’t something I’d want to split, just because of strength concerns. For what you’re doing, being out of the elements, I’m certain they’ll be fine. I hesitated to even say anything, but I decided to mention it in case anyone got the idea of doing something similar in an outdoor setting. I just don’t think it’s a good idea, I think they’re better when left whole, and I'd take a field full of them if I could get them. But again, maybe the ones I’ve worked with are different in some way. The only difficulty I had when cutting them was the one ground wire I missed.

 

[turnkey4099]

Actually, I couldn't disagree more.
"Forever" is a figurative term in this context. By forever, I mean as long as I could possibly want or expect them to last. They will outlast the rest of the structure, and probably me.
The poles were not discarded because they were already decades old -- they were leftovers from a fairly recent project and abandoned by the contractor. They were cut off's of various lengths.
As for ease ofcutting them, they were like cutting through steel. WAY harder than any hardwood tree. Similar to Bodark. Had to sharpen the chain 3 times to cut 2 poles into quarters.
They are literally oozing with creosote. Black, sticky, thick and heavy. The poles ring like fresh wood when you hit them with a hammer. They couldn't be any stronger.

Sorry your experience isn't the same.

I was mentally picturing the job of quartering them. I have a 150' or more RR tie retaining wall 5' tall and a perimeter fence with RR posts every 9' around 2 sides of a 2 acre lot, It was not fun just cutting the minimal amount trimming needed on all of them. Sure does make a mess of a saw!

Harry K

 

[GreenYellow]

I was mentally picturing the job of quartering them. I have a 150' or more RR tie retaining wall 5' tall and a perimeter fence with RR posts every 9' around 2 sides of a 2 acre lot, It was not fun just cutting the minimal amount trimming needed on all of them. Sure does make a mess of a saw!

Harry K

It certainly wasn't easy. And yes, it's a workout for the saw. Just plan on throwing the chain away afterward. I used one that was getting a little old anyway, but still had to sharpen 3 times. A couple of squirts of brake cleaner on a rag and the saw is good as new.

I snapped a chalk line and cut an inch (or so) deep the first pass, then deeper for about 4 passes. I cut almost all the way though then used a wedge to split the last inch open. Wanted to keep the chain out of the rocks.