Gregg:

A real question... If the cypress is good, then taking it apart
deserves considerable care. I won't start negotiating here, but at a
dollar a board foot, that's $50,000. Multiply by a real price and it
starts to look like a lot of money. I couldn't find a lot of pricing
on the Web, but I would wildly guess that perfectly clear straight
grain 8/4 old cypress might go for $3 a board foot in the narrow
widths and double that for the wides, but that's really just a guess.

If it's not good, hire a bulldozer....


Questions:
How is the plywood attached to the cypress? If it's nailed on, that's
a real problem, because getting all the steel out would be very
difficult. Most commercial mills that you or your buyer might take it
to will not work lumber that has metal in it -- blades are too
vulnerable and too expensive.

If it's glued on, that's not so bad, provided the glue line can be
broken, or the glue can be machined off. Again, there are some glues
that are so hard on blades that it could be a problem.

Also, asbestos was used as a filler in some glues in the past. Anyone
machining this stuff is going to want to know that there are no
environmental problems.

The glass is also a question. If the whole mass is well adhered, then
it will be a mess to get apart -- my best bet would be a band resaw,
probably taking a little of the cypress to avoid hitting the plywood
or glass.

Finally, what, if anything, has the food done to the wood? It might
be nothing -- the plywood and glass kept it out. It might be
wonderful -- strange and wonderful colors and patterns, while not
hurting the cypress. Or, it might be awful -- horrible colors, rot, a
real mess. Does it smell? Will it take a finish? What was the food
chemistry (pickles in vinegar, for example)?

How are the planks aligned around the circle (I assume these are
circular tubs?). Most likely they are tongue and groove. For most
uses the T&G is waste width and would be milled off, but that's better
than if there's metal in there. With random widths, my guess would be
that they aren't edge nailed, but if they are, that's trouble.

If I were the owner, the next thing I'd do is put on a full face
shield, a dust mask, helmet, and heavy clothing. Take a chain saw and
saw out a couple of boards along the joint lines. Understand that you
might make a real mess of the chain and all sorts of stuff (steel,
glass, asbestos, etc.) could come flying out. Most of the questions
above can then be answered, although you'll need a lab to be sure that
there aren't any environmental problems. Also, of course, someone with
credentials to tell you which of the several cypress species it really
is.


Jim Woodward
www.mvfintry.com


"Gregg" wrote in message et...
Hi Jim,
Thanks for the tips.
(I've noted the spelling - and I'm embarrassed)
The tanks are still intact and he's trying to decide how to handle the
project of dismantling the tanks and selling the wood.
I don't think there would be a problem with selling the lumber in several
lots.
I looked at the tanks yesterday and 3 of the smaller tanks are Redwood. (in
addition to the 50K board feet of Cypress)
The Cypress varied a lot in width 3" - 12" (vast majority being in the
8-10" wide)
The lighting wasn't great, but didn't see a single knot and the grain was
straight.
The interior of the tanks were lined with plywood and then fiberglass -
(they couldn't get the fiberglass to adhere to the cypress - thank goodness)
The tanks are in upstate NY between Rochester and Syracuse.
Gregg

"Jim Woodward" wrote in message
om...
Where were you when I was building wooden boats? Cypress (note
spelling) is wonderful stuff. Aside from an ad in Woodenboat, I would
write to all of the lumber dealers that advertise there and see if
they're interested. 50,000 feet is a lot for one project.

You might also try Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding
(www.tanuton.com).

Where is it? I could be interested in part of it for Fintry
(www.mvfintry.com).

Jim Woodward
www.mvfintry.com

"Gregg" wrote in message
et...
Thanks for the tip - I'll run out and get the magazine
"Tom or Barb" wrote in message
...

"Tom or Barb" wrote in message
...

"Gregg" wrote in message
t...
I've been lurking around this news group for awhile and gained
quite a
bit
of good information that helped me build my first boat.
There seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people here so I thought
this
might
be a good place to post this question.
I have a friend who purchased a building with old food processing
tanks
(1920's) made from Cyprus.
The Cyprus boards are 12-13' long 6-10" wide and 2"-2.5" thick and
perfectly
clear.
He has about 50,000 board feet and would like to sell it. I was
looking
for
any suggestions on where he could start (other than e-bay) and
what
the
(ball park) asking price should be.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Gregg

Was reading This Old House magazine in the doctor's office this
morning;
and there was an article about a man (company) who travels all over
the
world buying up old lumber (including old wine casks) to re-process
into
flooring for houses. Unfortunately, I didn't notice if the magazine
was
this month's issue. It shouldn't be hard to find that info,
however.

Saw the September issure of "This Old House" magazine at Wal-Mart,
tonight, and that is the issue the story is in.