Replies

1. 
   Knotscott | Apr 29, 2007 08:01pm | #1

   I like ash alot, but can't recall ever hearing of it being used for outdoor use. It's fairly porous like red oak. I suppose if you could seal it up real well it might be ok. You could also trade some of it for something like white oak, cedar, teak, or cypress that are better for exterior applications.

   So, that's the long way of saying "I dunno..."

2. 
   stantheman | Apr 29, 2007 11:13pm | #2

   mytulpa

   ash seems to be pretty common around here (midwest US) for outdoor park benches.  I cant recommend good protective finish, but it weathers to your basic dull grey without it. 

3. 
   hammer1 | Apr 29, 2007 11:29pm | #3

   Ash is the wood of choice for canoe and boat parts, paddles, wood pickup beds, pack baskets, snow shoes and many other outdoor wood applications. Direct ground contact isn't good for most wood. Protect feet from contact and you should have some long lasting furniture with beautiful grain. Most of the things I mentioned above often get heavy coats of exterior oil varnish, something you will have to renew when needed.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   Hastings | Apr 29, 2007 11:49pm | #4

   Hammer:"Ash is the wood of choice for canoe and boat parts, paddles…"Not sure about the paddle bit – wouldn't it be a bit heavy?. I have made a number of "greenland" kayak paddles and have used western red cedar, which I believe is the material of choice. It stands up well to the salt water, is not too heavy and strong enough. I have made tips of ash which stand up nicely to rocks etc.Sitka spruce is another favorite, but it is a little on the heavy side and expensive and difficult to get. The greenlanders made paddles that you could do chin-ups on, but they generally have smaller frames and their lives depended upon the paddle when out seal hunting.The Morgan Car company use ash for the frames of cars, as they have done since the 1930's so it's prety durable. Be interesting to know what they put on it before strapping a car body on to it!Regards,Hastings

1. 
   hammer1 | Apr 30, 2007 06:38am | #5

   I have four pairs of standard canoe paddles, one in sitka spruce, one in western fir and two in ash. The ash is a little heavier but the blades can be wider and thinner for more horsepower and feel. Paddles can be fairly high tech these days, laminated carbon fiber, bent shafts, etc. Ash is strong for it's weight and flexible, has good bending qualities. Have you seen the new Morgan, coming out next year?
   http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/lifecar/lifecar.htmlBeat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   Hastings | Apr 30, 2007 04:20pm | #7

   Hammer:I'm not familiar with canoe paddles. Not being double-ended appears to give you a little more flexibility balancing weight and material.For many years, my parents lived in Malvern, hard by the Morgan factory. I've always had a soft spot for their cars and idiosynctatic approach. Thank you for the link; I wasn't aware of the new model.Regards,Hastings

2. 
   Patto | Apr 30, 2007 07:26am | #6

   All of the wooden frames I have dealt with (most recently a 1930 Sunbeam over the last couple of weeks) had painted frames.

   Dave

4. 
   TomT226 | May 01, 2007 02:27am | #8

   How about you send the 1K bd ft of that worthless Ash, post paid, and I'll send you 250 ft of Cypress, which is really giving it away, since most of it is still floating around in the Gulf of Mexico, post-Katrina?

   Totally weather/insect resistant.

   Post your email and we can deal... ;-)

    

1. 
   mytulpa | May 01, 2007 02:51am | #9

   gee , that sounds like a good deal......