bowling alley wood bed

[Formanbob]

So think of doing the wood bed out of bowling alley wood, I could cut a rabid on the underside to take car of the thickness and seal up all the edged. Anyone see a reason not to?

[m455sx]

Sounds awesome!, What kind of wood is a bowling alley made of?

[Formanbob]

Originally Posted by m455sx

Sounds awesome!, What kind of wood is a bowling alley made of?

Heart pine

[m455sx]

Heart pine is very expensive here in VA. It is very pretty. I have yellow pine in mine which is very close. Please post pictures once you get it done.

[markeb01]

I don’t know anything about the properties of heart pine, but I would suggest consulting a wood specialist prior to starting. My concern is about potential shrinkage and swelling. My uncle once built a deck out of teak from the floor of a railroad car. It was up against the house on one end and rested on a retaining wall on the far end. I know he sanded and sealed it, but I don’t know with what or if he covered all the edges and the bottom.

The first week it rained, the wood swelled (lengthwise) so much it broke through the stucco on the house and knocked over the retaining wall on the other end. It would be nice to have an expert confirm this won’t be an issue.

[Formanbob]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I don’t know anything about the properties of heart pine, but I would suggest consulting a wood specialist prior to starting. My concern is about potential shrinkage and swelling. My uncle once built a deck out of teak from the floor of a railroad car. It was up against the house on one end and rested on a retaining wall on the far end. I know he sanded and sealed it, but I don’t know with what or if he covered all the edges and the bottom.

The first week it rained, the wood swelled (lengthwise) so much it broke through the stucco on the house and knocked over the retaining wall on the other end. It would be nice to have an expert confirm this won’t be an issue.

Yep, this Is why I ask, I know it Is stable indoors, just wanted to start asking here first.

[Sharps40]

Bowling alleys are made from maple. Often called rock maple cause its darn hard and light. Pine, including heart is about as soft as tissue paper where a bowling ball is concerned. Alley maple, if the right dimensions for milling and getting the old finish off for refinish to an exterior grade clear would be the berries for a bed.

[71swb4x4]

I believe that both of you are correct. Generally (certainly not 100% of the time) the beginning of the lane is maple and the back (2/3rds or so) is pine.

[scrapmetalart]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I believe that both of you are correct. Generally (certainly not 100% of the time) the beginning of the lane is maple and the back (2/3rds or so) is pine.

yep i bought 1 lane a few years ago. right past the arrows it is pine.
Its way heavy as its 2" thick!!!

[skysoldier173rd]

I've got a slab of that recycled into a chopping block. Dude, a piece big enough to do the bed of a truck would weight close to 1000 lbs i'm thinking, unless there are lighter versions. Great tough and durable though.

[Formanbob]

Originally Posted by skysoldier173rd

I've got a slab of that recycled into a chopping block. Dude, a piece big enough to do the bed of a truck would weight close to 1000 lbs i'm thinking, unless there are lighter versions. Great tough and durable though.

This has been the one thing I am afraid of. I would be nice in the snow though. HAHA

[padresag]

for starters it is kind of overkill on the thickness. you only need 7/8". secondly it is all laminated strips and the glue used would more than likely start to delaminate. only suitable for interior applications.
more than likely the reason for wanting to use it, is that you more than likely sre getting it for nothing
ron

[McCoyAZ]

Being a fairly good bowler myself and knowing enough to be dangerous .........

The alley wood is very susceptable to humidity change. I'm afraid it would not be a good choice for being outside in the weather.

But it does make one hell of a workbench top.

[padresag]

or a countertop
ron

[ky-donzi]

I do a little wood working, a really good compormise would be catalpa. It is very stable out doors, and very pretty, just kinda soft.
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[ky-donzi]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&c...bL6xumSXxBt8iM
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[padresag]

4' x 8' x 3" would be about 8 cu.ft. at about 47lb per cu. ft.= about 375 lbs
ron

[creep]

check out c10mang's build. He made a bed cover that looked like bowling alley wood. Not sure what kind of wood exactly though.