Salvaged a solid oak door from the dump with some smart clamping tricks, pretty happy with how it turned out lol

4 comments

4 Comments

Salvaging doors from dumps often overlooks major flaws like termite infestations or core moisture damage. Those clamps might temporarily straighten warped wood, but humidity changes will likely revert the warp over time. Restoring salvage can cost more in supplies and hours than purchasing a quality new door. It's easy to romanticize the save without considering long-term functionality.

patel.evan7h ago

Proper inspection for termites and moisture is crucial before attempting any salvage. I had success by using a moisture meter and treating the wood with borate before clamping. Why wouldn't you verify the integrity first to avoid wasted effort?

reed.elliot12h ago

Since when does clamping and sealing count as a full restoration? A lot of salvages are just quick, cheap wins that look fine.

christopher18013h ago

Guess my salvage attempts just end up as more dump fodder.