Green Water Oak-Score or not?

[Tim Brooks]

My boss brought 3 rather large chunks of what I think is water oak from a tree that was downed on his property to work today--just for lil ole me . It looks as though it might have some burl to it. I will be able to tell more about once I get it cut up. The logs are between 8" and 10" wide and about 3ft to 3 1/2 ft long.

First, is this a good score? Second, How do I prepare it to be turned? Is there any curing time necessary? Tell what I need to do... Please...

Thanks

[Brian McInturff]

Oak can be a bear to turn. First thing, get the tools **SHARP** and be prepared to keep them really sharp. Second, oak has a mind of it's own. I recommend turning from start to finish in one session. Once you are done turning keep an eye on it. If it starts splitting get some moisture to that area. One thing I've done is to turn to finish and then put it in BLO and leave it there for a few days. That has helped eliminate cracking and splitting for me. Although George will disagree I think it alters the drying process and the oils emulsify with the water content.
Brian

[Rob Bourgeois]

Some of it(green Oak) smells....like PEE.

Good luck. Nothign to add other than what was said.

[Tim Brooks]

Based on the few responses I have been given (neither of which have good things to say), I can safely presume that this wood is only good for fire wood. Thanks for the help.



Be blessed and have a great weekend!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Based on the few responses I have been given (neither of which have good things to say), I can safely presume that this wood is only good for fire wood. Thanks for the help.



Be blessed and have a great weekend!

In a week or so I will post a picture of that kind of wood bowl. I was given 4 bowl blanks and turned one. Have 3 more to go. Didn't turn bad at all.

[Brian McInturff]

Tim,
I didn't mean to scare you off of free wood. I was just merely trying to prepare you for it. I personally have a lot of oak and I like it. It takes more time to work with and it doesn't act like cherry, walnut, or mesquite. Unless you have a shop full of turning blanks, never turn it down and even then you can always trade it with someone.
Brian

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Oak? Who said Oak? Tim go for it! Don't listen to these guys, you'll learn more turning a couple of logs of Oak than you will turning that all that "Nice Stuff" all day long. Besides, it is free!!! and in the Abyss you need all the "Free" you can get. Oak is an acquired (only meant for a few) taste but then so are many of the finer things in life. Does it have some challenges? Yes, but then what in life that is good doesn't? Now, after all of that, you really don't have to listen to me, after all...I'm just an...

Oak Fanatic!!

[Dick Strauss]

Free is real good.


What's the best nation on earth? Do-nation

Dick

[Rich Souchek]

Tim,
I'm traveling and missing a lot,

BUT GET THE WATER OAK.

Yes it gets hard, but is very good wood. The water oak where I used to live was as dark as walnut with very light sapwood beneath the bark. Hard, would polish with smooth cuts like cocabola.
Makes great small presentation bowls, pen blanks, whatever.
I does crack a good bit drying, the key seems to be in slowing down the inital drying and keeping it slow.

Please show us some of the finished items.

Rich S.

[Tim Brooks]

Thanks for the additional information. I had planned on cutting it up to see what I might have inside. I need to get pictures so you more experienced folks can tell me more. I might do that in a few minutes...

Thanks again...