Hello! You have certainly seen it, if not machined it. I can tell you the following experiences I have had with red oak and would appreciate some information on where it has fit into your areas of expertise, regarding any aspect of the wood you want to talk about.
I have made some gorgeous items from it but its not really considered top end. It is very unique in its tubular grain structure and those who love to grain match it can get some very porous designs. Highlighted with a dark stain swiped very quickly, I don’t know of any other wood that could beat that.
The smell of it-along with many others- is very distinct and not as dusty as some. Huge end grain concerns but great for the following in my book;Floors, kitchens, bars/back bars, pallets,and finally- burning.
Replies
Would be interested in knowing in what part of the country you live. I'm from Wisconsin and we seem to have a love affair going with red oak. I for one, love the smell, the wood grain and the color when it is finished. Some styles of furniture, like a country look, lend themselves more to oak which may be my personal preference. Have made pieces of cherry too which are really nice but have used a more traditional design for those.
chipper
I could answer your question in three words. I love it! Been working with it for about 30 years here in the Atlanta area. We have abundance of oak and quite often it comes down in major storms. Be happy to load it up and take it to the sawmill. I agree with your comments concerning this particular wood. I guess I've never meet any wood that I did not like, unless it gave me a reason to dis-like it. Red oak has never given me a reason. You say it's not top end. Who determines what's top end? I'm not in woodworking to create masterpieces and gain everyone's praise. I'm here cause it makes me happy! Sturdy wood, strong joints , durable finish and functional results. Red Oak applies to the first. The rest is up to me.
If it makes you happy, what else matters--DO IT..
Happy woodworking.. Sarge.
Hey chipper and Sarge!I am going to dig up a photo of a past breakfast counter/bar I designed and constructed from red oak for some past client's. I hope you could see how much of a pleasure it was planning, building, finishing, and turning a simple kitchen space into a happy hour area. The ladies, cough , were very nice and..... well, Im going to find that photo now - hold on.
Wow! I didn't know you could upload as much as a 3 meg .jpg here on Knots! I will keep that in mind for future use. What about .avi's ?
Anyway, back to this project. Behind this 1/2" grain matched front is just a regular knee wall made of dry wall. There was an existing top but I made short work of that. There is a sink and very nice oaken area on the backside but I'm sure you have seen the gist.
The top was made of solid red and hand picked. Splined on the joints and attached by the 8/4 korbels underneath. No splines in the solid edge glue up, no need to imo.Now, the bar rail is the kicker here, :) , it is an expensive move in design/cost but done correctly it is always appreciated by some of us shorter people. At 20$ per joint and bracket, keep your estimates close to the distance recommended for use. End caps included.
The doubled up ogee molded frames in front gave it depth without the raised panel prices, and, I used rift sawn red for those. Make them separately and attach as measured.
The finish on the front was satin urethane and the top was 3 coats of gloss. 2 separate stains- build on. QM
Whoa! That is some wild grain there, pardner.
Rich
Sorry the .jpg can't give the effect it really has. Thanks Rich!
I used to use red oak a lot, and love the smell and feel of it. However, once I set my teeth into white oak, the affair with red was over, unless that's what a customer wants.
I agree you on the white, especially quartersawn. I'm burnt out on red oak because of all the years of Uncle Bob's House o' Oak melted butter c r a p furniture all in the same 'Golden' or 'Honey' oak finish. (Just when are they going to run out of those room dividers anyway?) Nothin' against the wood accept it's overuse. It's kinda like Light my Fire by the Doors. Even though it's a great song, they played the livin' sh#t out it for so long it took me 10 years before I could not change the channel when it came on the radio.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne
Ok then, were all burned out on it a bit, but this species of oak is a staying power. Most of the vinyl simulated grains, imitating oak grain especially, turn into a well selling products within costs for this present market. How many of you are typing on one now?
To no ends the respect for this wood still remains the same as I understand your replies. I am with you on the White oak here but that's someone else's thread. (best steam bending wood ever flecky boys)
Overcareful out there.
And i thought i was the only one. Oak is great but many times the furniture you see made from places like Uncle Bobs just turn you off, They covet the wood and give it a laquer finish and you think, cripes thats junk. Ive seen great oak and great laquer finishes, but jiminy im so turned off by it because deep down i think back to places like Uncle Bobs house of oak where they dont fill the pores and spray on thick globs of nitrocellulose.... ANd grain matching is a wives tale...
Oh and the doors thing is right on the nose as well....
Question Man-
As always, there's no accounting for tastes.
As a youngster, I kept hearing, "Children should be seen and not heard." While I thought then and believe even more now that the sentiment is a bunch of crap, maybe it should be applied more appropriately to ring-porous woods such as red oak. Seeing is great; hearing is hard on the nerves.
That piece of yours is the loudest use of rotary-cut veneer I've heard in a long time. It doesn't even look like wood (that's why most furniture makers prefer sliced veneer).
I mean no offense to you personally; that's just an expression of my (hardly impeccible) taste.
Best regards,
Don Brown
I'm not a big fan of red oak. One reason is the smell. The other is the appearance. I prefer the smoother grains like maple. And I hate to say it, but it seems overused. Our kitchen has red oak cabinetry and my wife wants to paint it. I'm not entirely against the idea.
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