tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post8228547475218041188..comments2022-02-25T10:50:38.538-08:00Comments on Oregon Woodworker by Andy Margeson: More on working white oakUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-77465937620085346402018-02-23T09:48:06.183-08:002018-02-23T09:48:06.183-08:00My common sense tells me that there should be a st...My common sense tells me that there should be a strong correlation between hardness and density. But obviously it's not a perfect linear correlation. I realize that all wood species have different characteristics, but it's still surprising that sapele can have similar hardness, but lower density (and hence is more easily worked).Matt McGranehttp://tinyshopww.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-13781773766515587582018-02-23T09:11:43.962-08:002018-02-23T09:11:43.962-08:00This is really interesting. I have been using Jan...This is really interesting. I have been using Janka hardness and it is clear from my experience with sapele that it doesn't tell the story. I am going to pay much more attention to specific gravity in the future. Sapele has the hardness of white oak and a specific gravity about the same as black walnut.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10394365117138074832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-12782794577126144112018-02-23T08:57:48.794-08:002018-02-23T08:57:48.794-08:00I have been woodworking with hand tools for about ...I have been woodworking with hand tools for about two and half years so very much a beginner. One piece that I like to build is a wall clock that Paul Sellers has shared on youtube. I build them every now and then to gauge my progress on my skill. The third one I build was out of quarter saw white oak. Oh my, it was much harder to work than the cherry and walnut and pine I had been using in other projects. At one point I felt despair but I kept at it. I got it done and used a lindseed oil and wax finish and it looks beautiful. I think it's worth the effort but I wouldn't want to do every project with it. I'm looking forward to listening to the podcast.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-25723135334795786722018-02-23T08:03:24.635-08:002018-02-23T08:03:24.635-08:00I forgot to add White Oak legs with a ton of morti...I forgot to add White Oak legs with a ton of mortises. I kinda hit the jackpot on that build.<br /><br />kenI'm a OK guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11843155822153452980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-16598376839855256132018-02-23T08:01:54.701-08:002018-02-23T08:01:54.701-08:00Andy,
Thanks for the link.
I just did a small Ma...Andy,<br /><br />Thanks for the link.<br /><br />I just did a small Maple top and what a PITA, looks good but still a PITA.<br /><br />kenI'm a OK guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11843155822153452980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-58479185898479790782018-02-23T07:46:43.978-08:002018-02-23T07:46:43.978-08:00Hi Andy,
Regarding working sapele vs. white oak, i...Hi Andy,<br />Regarding working sapele vs. white oak, it comes down to density. While the Janka hardness of sapele is actually higher than white oak, hardness is just one factor to consider. Density can actually be more telling for how hard a species is to work with. You can look at a wood's density (how much wood is actually contained in a volumetric sample) or it's specific gravity (a ratio of the density of the wood to the density of water) to get an idea. Higher numbers mean denser species.<br /><br />So consider the density of these tough to work species:<br />White Oak - 47 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.60)<br />Red Oak - 44 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.56)<br />Hard Maple - 44 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.56)<br />American Beech - 45 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.54)<br />Hickory - 51 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.64)<br /><br />Now for generally more workable woods:<br />Sapele - 42 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.50)<br />Honduran Mahogany - 37 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.52)<br />Black Walnut - 38 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.51)<br />Black Cherry - 35 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.47)<br />Eastern White Pine - 25 lbs/ft3 (specific gravity 0.34)<br /><br />So as you can see, we need to look at more than just the hardness. Bob Rozaieskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15199802518818564454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2976499952885642848.post-1712973835447174622018-02-23T05:58:59.987-08:002018-02-23T05:58:59.987-08:00Hello OregonWoodworker,
I’m not sure how I even st...Hello OregonWoodworker,<br />I’m not sure how I even stumbled across this post but I had to comment regarding white oak and hand tools. I built my wife a trestle style table ( she uses it as a desk) from 8/4 white oak with all hand tools. I’ll admit, if you don’t have sharp tools, you’ll get punished quickly by the species. The base of the desk is plainsawn but the top was quartersawn for obvious movement and decorative considerations. This project called for twin mortise and tenons for the joinery on the trestle legs and that was incredibly challenging to chop twin mortises in 8/4 white oak but again, the tools have to be sharp. <br />I built this for my wife to celebrate her retirement from the Marine Corps and I understood that the USS Constitution (nicknamed ol’ iron sides) hull was made from white oak. Impossible might be a strong word to use regarding working with it. Don’t turn you’re back on it just yet because it’s a lovely wood. I’m coincidentally making a chair from green white oak currently and it’s a pleasure! Cheers from Temecula!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390106968369842264noreply@blogger.com