[alberg30] Oak

[finnus505 at aol.com]

Hey Tom,

White oak is hard and dense, holds fastenings well, smells great when cut or 
sanded, and varnishes beautifuly due to its own color and grain pattern.

White oak is more resistant to rot than red oak, primarily because the xylem 
and phloem, or internal passages that moisture and sap traverse in the living 
wood, of the white oak are interupted, while those of the red oak are 
continuous through the wood, and so are a better passage for fungi in the cut 
wood
however, many other hardwoods, such as ash or hickory, are more rot resistant 
than oak.  Ash also binds epoxy better than oak, because it is less acidic, 
and so is preferred for laminating applications.  Iron fastenings in oak will 
deteriorate faster than in other woods because of the same acidity factors.
If you do use oak, and you want to varnish it, make sure you seal the wood 
before it has a chance to get wet with water.  Oak will quickly turn black 
when it comes in contact with fresh water, and the blackened wood would then 
have to be sanded down to white wood.
this is what I remember off the top of my head.  If you really want the 
straight poop, WoodenBoat has a book that lists all the major woods, and 
their characteristics, advantages, disadvatages and uses.  If your library 
has back issues of WoodenBoat, look for articles on this subject in the 
annual indexs.
Hope this helps,
Lee
Stargazer 255

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