Troop seats

[RJBM715]

Went to Eastern surplus on Friday and got a set of original troop seats the metal is in great shape only surface rust all the hardware is there. And I've soaked it all with PB blaster. The wood it very solid in between the posts but most of the sections where the wood is bolted to the posts it's all rotted and cracked. So I'm going to replace the wood. I haven't decided what to use just yet but I think in going to go with Red Cedar. Has anyone done red cedar? If so can you post pics.

[Tyson]

its alittle more expensive but you could also use Teak to replace the wood. Teak is a very dense wood and is used on alot of boats because its pretty good at holding up to the elements.

[RJBM715]

Never thought of teak. Very strong and holds up well. I've also seen patio furniture made of teak. Thanks for the tip

[kyken]

Hey Rob,
Glad you found some original troop seats! They are getting hard to find. I've been told the wood from the factory was White Oak.

[Don Cavey]

Hey Rob,
Glad you found some original troop seats! They are getting hard to find. I've been told the wood from the factory was White Oak.

I don't have troop seats yet but hope that they eventually find their way to the bed of my truck. Should I get at least one piece of wood, I would consider buying a planer and some white oak. Then, with a router on the edges, one could make new ones out of oak. Even Home Depot sells oak but I think it is red oak. Should be OK, maybe more expensive?

[RJBM715]

Yeah I called around today for cedar it will be $70 if I go with it. I do like the teak idea though. Teak may be double that price. I have a friend who has a sawmill so I may try to find some bigger stuff and cut it down to the size I need.

[RJBM715]

Oh on another note thanks for the congrats ken. While I was down there he had an original canvas for the bed too. I'll have to take a pic and ask what it's missing. I know there is one section missing. It only has the larger section that goes over the bows and the section with the window. I am probably going to kick myself for using this canvas but it is in great shape for the age and the asking price was right

[RJBM715]

[bullmoose]

I made one side from red oak and one side from pine, I went to a local saw mill and he only had enough for 1 side, I had a parade the following weekend and the vets from the VFW were to ride in back so the pressure was on. I routered the edges, and countersunk the mounting bolts, thay are very easy to make. I will say the oak looks alot better after it is painted than the pine. If you have big guys sitting on the pine it does bend alot.
HTH, Lee

[Binford]

Painted white oak was indeed what was originally used. I made my set from some white oak boards salvaged shipping crates my company uses. (I liked the unpainted look of the wood, so I just varnished it.)

Were I to do it again, though, I was seriously going to consider using 5/4" cedar deck boards. There would be a lot more bounce to them, but they'd probably hold up okay.