Back at the Ranch Project and tackling one of the toughest parts of working with reclaimed beams—cutting them clean while dealing with hidden nails, dense white oak, and less-than-ideal tools.

In this video, we cover:

• Switching from a track saw to a dedicated beam cutter (and why it didn’t go as planned)
• Dealing with dull blades and super dense white oak
• Hidden nails ruining cuts and slowing progress
• Installing freshly sanded pocket doors with soft-close hardware
• A full walkthrough of a nearly completed custom home in Dallas

After the beam saw struggles (and quickly dulls out), we pivot—heading inside to reinstall massive pocket doors and then taking a tour of a stunning home that’s 99% complete. From custom millwork and white oak paneling to a high-end closet, bathrooms, and detailed finishes, this house showcases what the end goal looks like when everything comes together.

Back at the ranch…
Armed with a new chain, we give the beam saw another shot—but once again, hidden nails fight back. So it’s time to get creative. We switch things up and run the beam through the SawStop (in bypass mode), cutting from both sides and finishing it off with a planer to get things dialed in.

It’s not the cleanest process—but that’s real-world carpentry. Problem-solving, adapting, and getting it done.

Takeaway:
Reclaimed beams look incredible, but they come with challenges you won’t find in new lumber. Every cut is a bit of a gamble—but when it works, it’s worth it.

If you’ve got a better method for cutting rough, nail-filled timbers, drop it in the comments—always looking to improve the process.

More Ranch Project progress coming soon.