OSRS Making Planks Ironman Ultimate Guide

Training Construction as an Ironman in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a grind, and planks are the backbone of the process. Since Ironmen can’t trade or use the Grand Exchange for supplies, making planks efficiently is critical to leveling up Construction without wasting time or resources. This guide dives into the best methods for making planks as an Ironman, covering strategies, tips, and optimizations to help you build your dream player-owned house (POH). Whether you’re aiming for level 83 Construction for a revitalization pool or just starting out, we’ve got you covered with practical advice for all skill levels.
Planks are the primary material for training Construction in OSRS, used to build furniture and rooms in your POH. For Ironmen, gathering logs and converting them into planks is a self-sufficient process that requires careful planning. Unlike regular accounts, you can’t buy planks directly, so understanding the most efficient ways to make them is essential to save time and coins. Plus, planks are used in quests like Dragon Slayer II and Daddy’s Home, making them a staple for early-game progression.
Types of Planks and Their Uses
OSRS offers four main plank types, each with different costs and Construction experience rates:
- Regular Planks: Made from normal logs, costs 100 coins per plank, used for early levels (e.g., crude wooden chairs).
- Oak Planks: Made from oak logs, costs 250 coins, ideal for levels 33–50 (e.g., oak larders).
- Teak Planks: Made from teak logs, costs 500 coins, great for levels 47+ (e.g., mounted mythical capes).
- Mahogany Planks: Made from mahogany logs, costs 1,500 coins, used for high-level training (e.g., mahogany tables).
Construction Goals for Ironmen
Most Ironmen prioritize Construction for key POH unlocks:
- Level 8: Access to a POH via Daddy’s Home miniquest.
- Level 47: Mounted mythical capes (requires Dragon Slayer II).
- Level 70: Revitalization pool for combat efficiency.
- Level 83: Ornate rejuvenation pool, a game-changer for PvM.
Best Methods for Making Planks as an Ironman
There are several ways to make planks in OSRS, but not all are Ironman-friendly. Below, we break down the top methods, ranked by efficiency and accessibility, to help you choose the best approach based on your account’s progress.
Butler Method (Rimmington)
The butler method is the gold standard for Ironmen making planks, offering a balance of speed and convenience. By hiring a demon butler (requires level 50 Construction and 10,000 coins), you can send logs to the sawmill without leaving your POH.
How It Works:
- Move your POH to Rimmington (speak to an estate agent, costs 5,000 coins).
- Chop oak logs outside the Rimmington portal or bring noted teak/mahogany logs.
- Unnote logs at Phials’ general store (5 coins per log).
- Teleport to your house, give logs to the butler, and have them converted at the sawmill.
- Exit the house before the butler returns to send planks directly to your bank.
Pros:
- Fast: Up to 5,000–6,000 planks per hour with practice.
- Scales well with oak, teak, or mahogany logs.
- Minimal travel time if optimized.
Cons:
- Requires level 50 Construction for the demon butler.
- Butler fees (10,000 coins every 8 trips) and sawmill costs add up.
- Click-intensive without perfect rhythm.
PvP World Camelot Teleport Method
For advanced Ironmen with access to PvP worlds, the Camelot teleport method is a high-efficiency option that maximizes plank output.
How It Works:
- Use a PvP world (e.g., World 308).
- Teleport to Camelot (bank chest spawns nearby).
- Withdraw 26 logs and coins for sawmill fees.
- Teleport to your POH (lock your portal to avoid visitors).
- Give logs to the demon butler for sawmill conversion.
- Repeat, banking at Camelot.
Pros:
- Extremely fast: Up to 7,000 planks per hour at peak efficiency.
- Low setup cost if you already have a butler.
- Works with any log type.
Cons:
- Risky on PvP worlds; lock your portal and avoid carrying valuables.
- High click intensity.
- Requires good timing to avoid butler delays.
Balloon Transport Method
The balloon transport system is a chill, low-cost alternative for Ironmen who’ve completed Enlightened Journey (requires 40 Firemaking).
How It Works:
- Start at Castle Wars (bank via ring of dueling).
- Withdraw 26 logs, 1 willow log, and sawmill coins.
- Run north to the balloon and fly to Varrock (costs 1 willow log).
- Run to the sawmill operator, convert logs to planks.
- Teleport back to Castle Wars and repeat.
Pros:
- Cheaper than butler fees (only sawmill costs).
- Relaxed pace, less click-intensive.
- Good for AFK players.
Cons:
- Slower: ~2,000–3,000 planks per hour.
- Requires Enlightened Journey unlock.
- Inventory management for willow logs can be annoying.
Gathering Logs for Planks
Since Ironmen can’t buy logs, gathering them efficiently is half the battle. Here’s how to stock up on logs for your plank-making endeavors.
Oak Logs
Oak logs are the go-to for early Construction training (levels 33–50).
- Location: Chop oaks outside Rimmington portal or near Lumbridge.
- Tip: Use a rune axe and lumberjack outfit for faster cutting.
- Yield: ~500–700 logs per hour with 60+ Woodcutting.
Teak and Mahogany Logs
Teak and mahogany logs are essential for mid-to-high-level training.
- Managing Miscellania: After Throne of Miscellania and Royal Trouble, assign workers to hardwoods for passive teak/mahogany logs (~500–1,000 daily).
- Wintertodt: Supply crates randomly reward teak/mahogany logs.
- Fossil Island: Plant 3 teak or mahogany trees after Bone Voyage (requires 35/55 Farming).
- Chambers of Xeric: Rewards include noted hardwood logs.
Optimizing Plank Making Efficiency
To get the most out of your plank-making sessions, follow these tips to streamline the process and save resources.
Inventory Management
Maximize your inventory to reduce banking trips:
- Carry 26 logs per trip (leaves 2 slots for coins/other items).
- Use a plank sack (from Mahogany Homes) to store extra planks.
- Equip weight-reducing gear like graceful to save run energy.
Butler Timing Fix
A common issue with the butler method is the butler waiting at your POH with planks, slowing you down. To fix this:
- Use a high-population world to close your house instance faster.
- Manually use a log on the butler to force them to bank planks.
- Ensure your POH loads in 2 ticks (simplify house layout).
Cost Breakdown
Here’s a quick comparison of plank-making costs (excluding log gathering):
Plank Type | Sawmill Cost (per plank) | Butler Fee (per 8 trips) | Est. Cost per Hour (5,000 planks) |
---|---|---|---|
Oak | 250 coins | 10,000 coins | ~1.26M coins |
Teak | 500 coins | 10,000 coins | ~2.51M coins |
Mahogany | 1,500 coins | 10,000 coins | ~7.51M coins |
Alternative Plank Sources and Training Methods
If you’re looking to mix things up or save coins, consider these alternative ways to get planks or train Construction.
Barbarian Outpost Plank Spawns
Four regular planks spawn near the Barbarian Outpost, close to a bank.
- Method: World-hop, grab planks, bank, repeat.
- Yield: ~600 planks per hour.
- Use Case: Early-game for Daddy’s Home or crude chairs.
Mahogany Homes
Mahogany Homes is an alternative Construction training method that uses fewer planks for more XP.
- How: Complete contracts in Varrock, Falador, Ardougne, or Hosidius.
- XP Rate: Up to 200,000 XP/hour at expert tier (level 70).
- Plank Efficiency: ~2–3 times more XP per plank than traditional methods.
- Tip: Use noted planks from Shayzien gang members (Tackling Organized Crime).
Plank Make Spell
The Plank Make spell (level 86 Magic, requires Dream Mentor) converts logs to planks at 70% of sawmill cost but is slower.
- Rate: ~1,500 planks per hour.
- Cost: Nature/astral runes + coins (e.g., 350 coins for teak).
- Use Case: AFK training or if you lack butler access.
Final Thoughts: For most Ironmen, the butler method (Rimmington or PvP world) is the best balance of speed and scalability, especially when paired with Managing Miscellania for passive logs. If you’re early-game, stick to oak logs and Barbarian Outpost spawns. For high-level players, Mahogany Homes or mounted mythical capes with teak planks offer the fastest XP. Experiment with these methods to find what fits your playstyle, and you’ll be building that ornate rejuvenation pool in no time!