Reclaimed Redwood Truck Rack

My little truck needed a rack to prop lumber and other long things against safely. Instead of buying one, I wanted to make one. I saw it as a way to show my skill and style wherever I drive; an advertisement for my work as well as functional equipment that I needed anyway. Furniture meets utility. This is reclaimed, or salvaged, Redwood. This wood was part of a water vat in a Holyoke mill building, in western Mass. The vat was roughly 7 feet tall and an estimated 14 feet in diameter. This wood's history yields plenty of character; There are nail holes throughout, and black stains appear where metal was in contact with the wood. All joints are timber-framed, using mortise and tenon joinery : no metal, no glue, all wood. Joints are secured with dowels. A square steel tube is embedded across the top bar of the rack to distribute loads evenly and protect the beautiful wood from dents. Its finish is Cabot's Gloss Spar Varnish. As extra flare, I illuminated the rack with 5 amber LED marker lights on front, and 2 reds on back. The wiring is totally concealed within the wood. It fits my truck perfectly due to precise measurements on the vehicle and rigorous CAD design work. Pleased with the final product, I moved quickly on to Redwood running-board steps to complete the outfit. See next post.