Tejas Corey Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Can I use large square utility poles as a table top and legs for a work bench? I wouldn’t use a saw on them but I would need to bolt them together They are large and heavy and would make a good strong base. Could I put plywood on top of them to keep me and whoever uses it safe? Or is there something else you suggest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Do you know what they've been treated with? That would be my first concern. Structurally they should be fine, but at some point you will end up breathing in part of your bench, so be sure you're not making it any worse than sawdust normally is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Many utility poles are treated with creosote, which can be very caustic to skin, let alone what inhaled dust might do to lungs. I would not recommend using such material. If the material is raw, untreated wood, it should be fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chestnut Posted May 12, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 1 hour ago, wtnhighlander said: Many utility poles are treated with coal-tar creosote, which can be very caustic to skin, let alone what inhaled dust might do to lungs. I would not recommend using such material. I added a bit of important information above. Wood cresote is what makes smoked meats have delicious flavors. The heavy metals and other compounds found in coal-tar creosote is what makes utility poles undesirable to have any where near a shop. There are also reports of cresote being a strong skin irritant, so prolong contact with it could cause rashes and discomfort. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted May 12, 2022 Report Share Posted May 12, 2022 Solution. Use the wood for BBQ and fine another for the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Anderson Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 the chemical historically used to treat utility poles is pentachlorophenol. This is NOT the creosote that is made while smoking meat. This link provides more information on PCP. Pentachlorophenol | US EPA I have performed a number of remediations on sites contaminated with PCP and it's pretty nasty stuff. If I was anything but a lineman, I would stay far away from old poles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 I can attest to the skin irritant claim, as I suffered a good deal of rash from handling rail ties treated with the stuff for landscaping purposes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 On 5/12/2022 at 3:25 PM, Ronn W said: Solution. Use the wood for BBQ and fine another for the bench. I bet/hoping you are kidding about the bbq? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 I would just say don't do it. There are many possibilities to regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 14 hours ago, Eric Anderson said: the chemical historically used to treat utility poles is pentachlorophenol. This is NOT the creosote that is made while smoking meat. This link provides more information on PCP. Pentachlorophenol | US EPA I have performed a number of remediations on sites contaminated with PCP and it's pretty nasty stuff. If I was anything but a lineman, I would stay far away from old poles. There have actually been 6 different chemicals that are historically used to treat utility poles. Often the treatment varies by region. Either it's coal-tar creosote, PCP, CCA, or others it's best to avoid all use of the wood for any object that will have regular human contact. If you are referencing my post above, I was attempting to make it clear that there is a significant difference between Creosote generated from the combustion of coal, and the creosote that is generated from the combustion of wood. I was just trying to highlight that some terms can be misleading, like saying chemicals are harmful. The proper disposal for anything that has been treated with coal-tar creosote is a landfill certified for it's disposal. I would advise against using it in your yard for any reason, I wouldn't allow it into any dwelling I own (garage, shed or lean-to). I definitely wouldn't burn it. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted May 13, 2022 Report Share Posted May 13, 2022 15 hours ago, Eric Anderson said: the chemical historically used to treat utility poles is pentachlorophenol. This is NOT the creosote that is made while smoking meat. This link provides more information on PCP. Pentachlorophenol | US EPA I have performed a number of remediations on sites contaminated with PCP and it's pretty nasty stuff. If I was anything but a lineman, I would stay far away from old poles. When I was an apprentice electrician, an old instructor we had used to work in a transformer shop. At the end of each day they would wash the filth off their hands in a big tub of PCP. That same polytechnic has welding shops with asbestos panels. I was talking to one of the guys that built it. He said they just cut the panels on a table saw and the dust was so thick you could hardly see across the room I'm sure glad we don't do things the way we used to. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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