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[grendel]

after rescuing a wood slat venetian blind from a skip yesterday, and seeing just how flexible the slats were, I managed to pick up another for just £2 at a charity shop. these seem to be very flexible and of good hardwood.
Has anyone else any experience of using these as a source of timber for planking and ribs?
Thanks

[Netleyned]

There used to be a member on here who swore by Ikea blinds as a source of planking timber.
Just search Ikea blinds on the forum.

Ned

[Big Ada]

I have used the wood for doors on  my Big Boat Build.
Ask at you local Venetian Blind Fitters for old ones.

Len

[Ron Rees]

The wood used in some blinds is similar to Ramin, a close grained white hardwood. It is perfectly suitable for use as decking but the varnish they use needs to be removed if PVA or similar is used. Cyano and epoxy will work well. It is fairly stiff and once stripped down and cut to width would benefit from steaming if a bend is needed. (A Wickes wallpaper stripper can have its output hose connected to a piece of copper water pipe and will steam this stuff in about 3 minutes).
I have used it a few times and it works well.


Happy boat building.

[slinger]

I have also used them for years, the slightly darker ones are good for making into kick boards on my Watson type lifeboats and painted white on the Solent etc


Slinger

[Arrow5]

A variation to the usual width slats are the bamboo type which have distinctive grain but also the joints.   Much narrower at 5mm wide x 1.5mm thick, good for wheelhouse planking and wooden doors etc. Over scale but gives a very woody look.

[RAAArtyGunner]

I have two in my stash.
Timber is closer to Cedar and can be laminated for thicker sections.

[ballastanksian]

I was given one ages back and the wood is lovely and straight. Well worth acquiring.