What would you build?

Hey everyone!

I’m looking for a little inspiration to build some projects. I have recently come into a nearly unlimited supply of 2x8s. Some 4ft, some 5ft, most 8ft, and some 14ft. I have over 100 boards already and need some ideas of what to do with it. So I ask, what would YOU do with it?

Already on my agenda;

- Finish the floor in my shed. One half is still bare dirt, previous owner finished the other half.
- mason bee boxes
- Picnic table
- Garden shed
- Might build a base/frame for a greenhouse. I initially wanted to build the entire greenhouse with this lumber, but someone brought to my attention the shadows would be huge. So I might build a base that’s around 4ft high, with a hoop top out of steel hoops.

And with the 4ft boards I’ll likely build some garden boxes/beds.
I may also trade some for other building materials, or sell them.

Any great ideas out there?

Hi Ashton:

I just posted a link to some really neat slideshows for anyone looking for creative building ideas, you might find some inspiration here:

https://permies.com/t/154712/Inspirational-slideshows-showcasing-Dream-Home

Let us know what you come up with!

I realized I posted in the wrong section! These are just regular lumber, not timber. Any way to move the thread? Thanks for the link!

OK, so what are your needs, rather than the wants list?

Have you looked at dimensional lumber prices recently? I think you've stumbled into a gold mine! Build with the odd stuff, and sell the rest for cash! Nothing crass about that; it takes money to put foundations under your castles-in-the-sky.

Ashton, you already mentioned almost everything that I could think of except bookshelves.  Or workshop shelves.  I have found we never have enough of these.

If you have a table saw you can cut the boards to any size you want.  You can turn them into 1x8 to build bookshelves.

Even if you have to buy a table saw you might find it a really good investment since you have a nearly unlimited supply.

Like Douglas said you have a goldmine.  You could take orders and custom cut the 2x8 into what sizes you get orders are for.

We bought our table saw on craigslist and of all our power tools to me it is one that has been one of the best investments and one of the most helpful. When we built our house we used it to make molding, door trims, turning 2x4 into 1x4 or 2x2, or whatever size wood we needed.

A greenhouse! Just kidding, I know that you already ruled that one out

I have a lot of building needs right now, and also some crazy ideas, and so if I had the lumber, currently it might go towards:

-deck building
-animal shelter/barn buildings, chicken coop
-solar panel racking
-lean-to roofs
-firewood shed
-fencing/gates
-hunting blind/raised platform for hanging out
-outdoor kitchen
-animal feeders
-raised beds/part of greenhouse structure
-bolt some together to make strong beams
-trade for other materials/things I need
-sauna/hot tub/wash house
-cold storage/aging room/root cellar
-skiddable structures...
-solar water heating, solar oven

I also wouldn't hesitate to store the lumber properly and have it on hand for when it is truly needed.

What a wonderful windfall!!!

I didn't see where you mention the variety of wood...pine? oak? fir? a softwood or hardwood?

I am assuming it is commercial dimension lumber since you didn't specify anything else, so with a table saw as mentioned, or a radial arm saw, you can easily make 2x4s or 2x3s to build a greenhouse with.

If you don't currently have need for much of the lumber, selling on the extras would seem like a wise choice. Let it be used by those who need it now, they get a better price than at a lumberyard, you get some cash, everybody wins.

It seems like I always have a need for more shed space.

With that size material, there are few things you can't build ;) Rip it down to get smaller dimensions and do things like Salatin style chicken or rabbit tractors. What does your place need? Is there a creek you need to build a bridge across? Milking stanchion for your dairy animals? An open air pavilion that could be used for multiple purposes from processing poultry to family cook outs? An Ice house? Smoke house? Solar dryer?
Tool shed? Fencing? Trellis? Garden arbor?