How to Make Authentic Looking Barn Beams (Tb stained later)- The Distressing Process

How to make authentic looking barn beams. The how and the why of producing authentic, rustic barn beams out of affordable #2 pine material.
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Festool 485331 HL 850 Rustic Planer Head, Undulating - geni.us/lc3W on Amazon (commissions earned)
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Hot Max 500G Big Max 500,000 BTU Propane Torch - geni.us/O0So5 on Amazon (commissions earned)
Red Dragon CD-100 Propane Cylinder Dolly - geni.us/OlgIgCc on Amazon (commissions earned)
Festool 583492 CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor - geni.us/nT5RE on Amazon (commissions earned)
Festool 496120 Longlife Filter Bag Longlife for CT 26 - geni.us/xgnXu on Amazon (commissions earned)
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Festool 487721 Hose Sleeve, Reducing Sleeve For Antistatic D 36 Hose - geni.us/plddBxP on Amazon (commissions earned)
Collins Miter Spring Pliers and 4 Miter Clamp Kit - geni.us/E4JY on Amazon (commissions earned)
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[@InsiderCarpentry]

Support the channel by visiting these affiliate links: Barn Beam Tool List - www.amazon.com/shop/insider_carpentry?listId=2T4HASQ6O7YU8 Makita Wire Wheel Sander - amzn.to/2FH6qlT Makita 794382-7 Wire Brush Wheel 120 - amzn.to/2S7Eitk Festool 574690 Planer - amzn.to/2KwjYPH Festool 485331 HL 850 Rustic Planer Head, Undulating - amzn.to/2KvwS0j Fiskars Hatchet - amzn.to/2Rfk9S8 Broad Axe - amzn.to/3iQixws Dremel Saw Tool - amzn.to/2Kxqvd5 Hot Max 500G Big Max 500,000 BTU Propane Torch - amzn.to/2SaQEB2 Red Dragon CD-100 Propane Cylinder Dolly - amzn.to/2BwqlQ5 Festool 583492 CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor - amzn.to/2Kuo7Ui Festool 496120 Longlife Filter Bag Longlife for CT 26 - amzn.to/2P2D6FI Bosch 16.4 Foot Vacuum Hose, 35mm - amzn.to/2TDJQxr Festool 487721 Hose Sleeve, Reducing Sleeve For Antistatic D 36 Hose - amzn.to/2SfOC2J Collins Miter Spring Pliers and 4 Miter Clamp Kit - amzn.to/2ScUppI Collins Tool Miter Spring Clamps - 12 Pack - amzn.to/2DKMyM9

[@bradbrinegar1419]

Any idea if the undulating blades would fit in a dewalt planer. Google comes up with nothing and I cant find the size anywhere

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Knowing festool there is zero chance it works in anything else.

[@bradbrinegar1419]

@@InsiderCarpentry yea no chance. I have a wood master planer/molder.i emailed those guys and they are going to custom grind a few sets of blades for me. The cupped blade looks a lot better than flat blades. I been doing a few mantels with a draw knife. It takes forever

[@royalvarez6436]

True artistry. I really appreciate the methods you utilize in blending the different media to achieve a consistent result. The torch really defined the contrasting textures. Nice!!

[@chrisschreffler8346]

This is the best video I have seen about building faux wood beams, and I've watched slot of them great work!

[@wendimccain8580]

I really appreciate your craftsmanship! Thanks for sharing your expertise with well rounded explanations, and attention to detail. Skip

[@douglasmason6742]

This is by far the best technique I've found to make authentic beams!! I've been doing this for my new lake house build and all the subs walk in and think they are real and solid LOL, I would love to see these finished in another vid if possible. I did mine dark with offset 45 degree joints and the broad axe cuts hide the joints. Thanks again for a great tutorial

[@AlohaKanaka]

Beautiful work like always! Can’t begin to tell you how much your content is appreciated and implemented in my everyday work flow. Keep up the great work! Much Aloha from Hawaii 🤙🏽

[@jaredarnold7289]

Once again, you explained how to do a project perfectly.. appreciate all your videos..

[@ravenheart1439]

Should have figured you do this as well, very cool...I been wondering how to get this effect, you nailed it...guessed some of what you've done, no corners cut once again and I learned from you once again..thank you...

[@dsdw30]

You make the best videos! Love your channel.

[@kenvanness2828]

Great method for distressing beams. It sure looks like allot of work. but well worth it in the end. THEY LOOK GREAT! Good job!

[@georgeburdell367]

Excellent video! Your process confirmed my thinking and provided more great techniques! Thank you!

[@cmaustin76]

Amazing work... love your videos!! Bravo!

[@X-QuisiteHomes]

Was watching on Instagram and finally got to watch to KZbin. Really beautiful work brother!

[@jamespalmer4727]

I enjoy your channel. You are a great woodworker with very creative mind.

[@andrewmarcinko1796]

Love the videos Man, keep em coming!

[@dusttinfinn6583]

Great video and beautiful work. I don’t have all the tools but I’ve used a grinder, an axe, a chain, and some scrap wood with nails drove through it to get some nice detail. I really like how the planer and broad axe worked.. I’ve hand hewn one log (10”x10”x20’) in my life and although I’m glad I did it.. I thank God for power tools.

[@jbonegw]

Holy crap! Kudos to the assembly of these beams for enduring the punishment. Especially with this axe. 🤯

[@thegoodearth7]

You do superb work!

[@christineagnew7372]

HOLY SCHNIKES!!! Those are unreal!! would make for a great mantel too no doubt!

[@jmorey1941]

Thanks a lot. Just what I was looking for. Prepping myself to make a barn beam mantel for my daughter.

[@nicleslie9662]

great channel man ive been enjoying the content!

[@FreeLander5280]

Would also love to see these when stained

[@lmaorightnow]

Nice work as always!

[@thecarpenterpros9822]

Thanks for posting this!

[@stewbrew8649]

Would like to see a follow up video on how you attach them to the ceiling. They look great!

[@solotheater]

where ARE the follow up videos? specifically stain/wirebrush video?

[@mannymodrono465]

Just want to say thank you. After watching your video many times I attempted my own beams and I’m very happy with the outcome! Thanks again

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Glad I could help!

[@gregbeckham1701]

@@InsiderCarpentry I have a three season room with the 4/12 pitch starts at 8 foot and ends at 11 feet in the peak, what size should I make my main ridge beam and the opposing finger beams ? I really need your advice on the size. Thank you so much.

[@Brough1111]

Great video thank you, can't wait to get started

[@gs300rich4]

Amazing work. Might just have to get practicing making some barn wood

[@briandouglas6672]

Great instruction - I have always wanted to be be able to make these. Thank you so much for sharing your craft - you are very talented!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

You bet. Best luck with your project.

[@gregbeckham1701]

@@InsiderCarpentry what dimensions are the beams in this video?

[@alvarosolano6569]

Great job I learned a lot from your video thank u so much for sharing

[@tedfritsch3340]

Awesome job

[@alexrains1893]

Always love your videos. Thanks for all your content, truly a master. Have you looked in to or considered sandblasting timber to eat away at the soft grain, leaving the harder grain behind? An amazing effect that very accurately recreates the look of weathered timber. Can be outsourced or done in house with a sandblaster.

[@heathrowandrews]

Great info. Thanks!

[@jamesquinless1777]

Awesome stuff.

[@diybasics6270]

Will you consider making a video on how to measure and cut the angled pieces.

[@kansasboy011]

Another great video. I would like to know what kind of joinery you used to fit the lumber together. Thanks.

[@clarkpiper6007]

Hi Spencer, I just came from seeing the white oak mitered beam video. I think these pine beams look best just after the undulating / wavy planer.

[@rubenmendoza977]

Wish I saw this before I made my mantel.! Hell of a job

[@cheetolalito]

I didn't have the cool planer blade but got similar results with a heavy grit 4.5" flap wheel for my hand grinder...

[@carlcox7332]

Another cool trick for aging new pine is I'll put a couple OOO steel wool pads in a bottle of apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for about a week. Then you can brush the vinegar onto to wood. Within minutes it will take on an aged color. The longer you let the mixture age with the wool, the darker the wood will be.

[@marialuisachamorro832]

hello one question, just any vinegar?

[@benchippy8039]

I sometimes use a jigsaw with a long blade in it and run it backwards with the tool at least 45degrees to the workpiece to give the ‘pit sawn’ effect. Another technique I use is a piece of wood with nails in to give a woodworm effect. It’s all very labour intensive tho, anything to save a bit of time is a money maker

[@jlupien502]

Great work ! I’ve had pretty good luck using a draw knife instead of an axe.

[@zavoina]

I din't know that I'll do this, but very interesting to watch and to get ideas for other projects. And they say "you can't have enough clamps." Why - because you have most of them! Wow that glue up was huge, and you had the big ones still on the wall.

[@tomfrmnh]

Those look great. True craftsman. Is the beam that spans the vault one continuous beam or did you need to make it out of two? If its just one, how much do you think it weighs? I am Looking to span a cathedral of 15’ and not sure if it would be too heavy. Great video. New Subscriber.

[@BrentDaughertyMe]

Looks great but I'd love to see what you do for the finish especially considering it's pine which can be blotchy.

[@kentallshouse4434]

What do you use to connect the beams to your nailer? Brads? Nails? Screws?

[@allenlane5000]

Spencer Did u do a video on ur workbench. Looks like a Paulk style.

[@coppulor6500]

Awesome video and great info. Particularly impressive for a one-man show. Do you have any videos on what you do to finish them? Or can you provide a super quick one sentence summary? Some kind of rough guide since I'm not sure where to go from here. I appreciate you :-)

[@craftedbykvg4649]

Would love to see the finished product with stain, and the end caps on the mantel. Do you have that anywhere?

[@kmonnier]

Good morning!

[@hugavet3049]

Finish with Dark brown BRIWAX. you can thank me later. Available at ACE. Great video BTW, love to learn new tricks. I'm lusting over a new draw knife for even more authentic re-creations.

[@brianarndt6845]

Do you ever use wood conditioner on pine?

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Did a single router bit create the shape of the jointed corners? Does it have a name? I'm not familiar with that design, but it looks simple and strong.

[@4315chris]

Wow!

[@threadoflife]

Can you give ideas of wood to buy for this as well as the process for cutting the 45’s and ensuring everything is straight

[@scottbennington2936]

What type of joints did you use for the posts? Looked different that just a 45degree miter. Inspiring work. Thanks again for sharing your craft and time.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Its a lock miter. I use the freeborn cutter on a shaper.

[@gingerlox1050]

@InsiderCarpentry What cost effective material would you recommend using to wrap multiple structural beams in a two story cabin? I hate the color and they are too dark. I do not want to strip or sand the beams as it would be too much work. I also want to hide imperfections where beams meet cabin walls. I just need like a thin rustic material that can be stained glued and finish nailed into the beams. I have probably 20 beams and each beam has three sides so we are talking about a lot of material. Any suggestions? Thank you much!

[@mattfabian9758]

Those are turning out great! Question did you just do 45's on all the box beam joints? Or did you do 45's along with some type of other router bit joint? Thank you.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I lock mitered the corners on these. I have videos on the process in my "beams" playlist.

[@frogmenfirst3370]

The man who dies with the most clamps wins

[@dv661]

Hey how do you connect the beams lengthwise for longer runs

[@dfurla]

Do you have a video on how you did the miters? Great content btw.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Look for my lock miter or miter fold videos.

[@casycasy5199]

i build a lot of fake beams, and do almost what you do.i use a broad ax and then i use my power plain to rip the loose wood and it gives it a great effect and saves some time.i burn and use the same wire wheel as you i then use a vinegar solution to age the boards more.i start with rough pine or hemlock, hemlock i like the best.what bit are you using to get that 45 on your boards

[@InsiderCarpentry]

It’s a freeborn lock miter. If you go to my beams playlist you’ll find a video on the freeborn lock miter bit to make these style beams. 👍

[@rcbanjanin4314]

I did a great room with distressed box beams some years ago the exact same way you described! I enjoy your videos and have sped up my work considerably but I have to charge T&M as I can’t seem to find the happy medium of billing by the foot or the beam in this case. This has cost me a lot of work as most big companies want a hard number in the proposal. How do you bid jobs - especially when you know they are going to throw a curveball at you at some point - then you are stuck with change orders, etc. I am lucky I have a few good clients that know I am fair but I find it hard to estimate jobs even by tracking my time from previous ones... also, I can’t seem to get my supplier to stock that FJ Poplar you use - that would save a ton of $! Keep your awesome videos coming! Thanks!

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I'm always a hard big. Its all about managing expectations. If they change the scope, they can expect a change order.

[@redscorpionsix]

What do you calculate charge for this type of beams?

[@tolbaszy8067]

I actually hew logs into beams, using a technique very similar to your hacking. When you make the cross grain chops, strike down at an angle with the bevel down and the leverage of the bevel will raise the chip. Progress down the log, chopping behind the first cut. Then use the broad axe with the bevel up and the blade flat on the surface and swing the axe in an arc, keeping the axe on the beam to remove the chips you raised. Cutting into the chip makes a deep gouge, cutting against the slope of the raised chip leaves a smoother finish. This second method will save you some of the smoothing steps you employ, but may require you to find another way to use the tools you are trying to sell.

[@keeoldman1]

Stanley spoke shave / modified blade the best for hand Hewn/ rounded head

[@patriotjedimaster1450]

Great detailed video. I’m building a bunch of these now. I have a fiskars axe. Could I cut into the pine with the fiskars & also use it to shave off the excess wood?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Yep. Its just not quite as wide but I have used a fiskars often.

[@patriotjedimaster1450]

@@InsiderCarpentry I’ve done all your steps and it looks good so far. After I torch the wood and use the wire brush, could I then sand, stain & poly the wood?

[@TORAH-613]

Great help. Im building a Faux log cabin. I will be using 2x10's as my "logs" and will be chinking them. I will also be doing the same on the interior outside walls so as to make it look as real as possible by lining up the inside "logs" to match the outside logs.

[@ronjones9373]

What will the final color be.

[@albertvaldez7826]

What size wood did you use

[@scottswannie2500]

Do you sand your beams at all?

[@bbbbbbb2357]

If my ceiling is 16x24 how many beams would be appropriate?

[@vpord3396]

The Makita Wire Wheel is a little out of my budget. What do you recommend in place of it? Thanks!

[@benjaminjgreene5]

Lowes sells a craftsman version that works well for under a 100$. Will have to buy the wire wheel though, it's 40$

[@ernestoesquerra2302]

can you make a video how to estimate jobs. thanks

[@donwilliams3626]

That burnisher is a tool uniquely designed for making faux beams look weathered.

[@YetiFix]

Nice technics... always nice to learn... but I guess thou beams for free (or inexpensive) if you tear them out of old buildings being torn down is more worth the time. Of course the weight of full timber is an issue you do not have consider when just using planks-made-to-belive-beams as decorations 👍👍👍

[@ragetoca]

Excellent work, thank you for sharing. Personally I don't like what the fire/burning does to the beams, I think you can accomplish better results with paint and stains...

[@InsiderCarpentry]

It is not finished yet. They get stained.

[@ragetoca]

@@InsiderCarpentry I know, but the burning does something to the pine that does not look right in my opinion. Have you ever tried using wax and paint?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

After the stain the dark spots actually all but disappear. I’ll try and post a follow up video with the finished product on these. 👍

[@evadkin]

Please. do a follow-up video, I am going to have a post frame house built and I may do some beams in the great room.

[@ragetoca]

Insider Carpentry that would be great. Thank you

[@a_w_bukhari7579]

so the message of the day:"Don't overdo crack" - Insider Carpentry

[@scottbennington2936]

Only do a little crack...

[@bondfrenchbond]

You can hit it with vinegar also to add some of that grey color

[@tonyordaz3326]

what state and city are you located in

[@ThisTall]

Curious how you quote this kind of manufacturing into a job?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

I’ve done enough of it that I know how long it takes. I generally just charge per beam unit for distressing. Just took a job or two or tracking time to get a good idea on it.

[@mikep3813]

I was wondering why Lowes was all out of clamps when i went to buy some the other day......now i know

[@carterscustomrods]

Saw Max is great.. but they die realllly fast. They don't do well for extended use and get hotter than the devil's tongue itself. The Restorer has been a great addition for barn beams for an inexpensive multifunctional wire brush systems. The accessories coming out for it have been great. I'm yet to try the Makita for that. Your projects are great! I love seeing how everyone does it just a bit differently. It's almost like a woodworkers signature... you can basically tell who made it based upon the designs.

[@scottswannie2500]

Frog painters tape worked much better and stuck better than packets tape. Easier to remove too. But thanks. Great videos.

[@johnlee8123]

No video of staining?

[@garylewis3204]

Do you sell these beams to order? Website?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

No I don't, Sorry.

[@plantedtankcare101]

yo may sound like dumb question but wy not just hew a beam fr?

[@thecurrentmoment]

Now I'm curious....wouldn't it be quicker to do it for real? This looks like more work

[@ogearbox6132]

Great content however you are moving the camera too fast which blurs the subject and creates a dizzying effect when being viewed.🙂

[@connie1wilson]

Not keen on the chop marks, but nice.

[@Goodwithwood69]

Great skills and tips, but i hate fake beams!

[@coppulor6500]

I've been in over 5,000 homes over 20 years inspecting homes as a code certified home inspector. I've done a ton of homes as far back as in 1920s. If it's on the ceiling, no way I could tell if it was faux/fake in the right house

[@thecurrentmoment]

3:10 describing in gruesome detail how he is going to torture and abuse the beam

[@Dentropolis]

I see about $5,000 in clamps.

[@bye92]

Would have been easier to just hand hew a beam! Lol looks good though

[@duncanvlaar8017]

OMG, you can never have too many clamps, but.... how much do you have???🤪😂

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Not enough. LOL

[@ADD_50]

Good techniques but not at all natural looking. I think they look awful but hey it’s just an opinion. Really solid faux beam though and the way you created the cracks was brilliant.

[@vray48]

Why don’t we just build our houses the old way… with green wood? I’m getting into this kind of crafting because it sells. But it’s like making new pants with holes already in them…

[@coppulor6500]

Consumers want what consumers want

[@tommyknightly1659]

All de work to show fake distressed barn beams, nice work though and effort

[@zephyr1408]

Who is that goofy looking black thing with floppy ears that keeps showing up in your Video? Was he/she the foreman? U never know bout upper management ?

[@InsiderCarpentry]

Haha. That’s Roxanne.

[@TB-bc3dx]

The color does not work. It is not even close to weathered barn beams. Your trim skills are great, however would not want this in a new house.

[@InsiderCarpentry]

That’s because there is no finish on them yet.

[@barrymccaulkener8828]

@@tb3927 He has said that 5 times already,,,