What's wrong with Ash? [message #29552] |
Wed, 13 July 2005 15:01 |
GarMan
Messages: 960 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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I'm doing some pricing for a few project I have planned for next month, and as always, looking for ways to cut cost without reducing quality. My question is, what's wrong with ash compared to oak? Hardness-wise, it sits between red and white oak and is more stable than both. Why it is priced 1/3 less than oak and why is oak still popular for furniture and cabinets?
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Q for Bill about wood [message #29556 is a reply to message #29553] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 10:45 |
MQracing
Messages: 220 Registered: May 2009
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Master |
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Hi Bill: I have seven acres of heavily forrested land in the pocono mountains. Recently we had two soft maple trees downed in a storm and had them cut into boards of 1.25" thick, 7 to 8 inches wide and 8 foot in length. Any experience, comments, musings on this maple for wooden chassis or other audio housing projects? I also have a Babe Ruth sized Ash tree that is on it's last leg... and we have two or three cherry trees that must soon be harvested due to damages to them. it's getting to be a bit of fun stockpiling these woods... though a new learning curve for me. we've also harvested a lot of hemlock... though all of that wood has been sawn into structural lumber that we are building our cabin with. cheers, msl
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Re: Buncha guys on the Tweaks Asylum.......... [message #29557 is a reply to message #29556] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 13:35 |
BillEpstein
Messages: 886 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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.........think shelves are more important than circuits so pay you top dollar! Soft Maple is soft 'cause it has a much higher percentage of sapwood than hard maple. That gives it more color contrast in the grain too. Kinda like Poplar. So clear finishes are out but darker stains and painting is in. Other than that it machines and wears like it's big brother. Have you got the space and patience (2 years)to air dry that lumber? Both the Cherry and Ash would be special.
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Re: Buncha guys on the Tweaks Asylum.......... [message #29558 is a reply to message #29557] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 14:25 |
MQracing
Messages: 220 Registered: May 2009
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Master |
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thanks Bill for the reply and the url on hardwoods.you asked; ::::Have you got the space and patience (2 years)to air dry that lumber? Both the Cherry and Ash would be special.:::: the soft maple has already been airdrying for about 12 months. I have it stored (temp) in my cabin... which actually looks a lot more akin to a wood shed. I'm looking forward to sawing some of the cherry and the ash (if the tree doesn't find it's good health again)... any of these woods good for speaker cabinets??? Mike
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Re: Buncha guys on the Tweaks Asylum.......... [message #29559 is a reply to message #29558] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 14:53 |
BillEpstein
Messages: 886 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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I've just completed staining the Poplar on Edgar Horns (650Hz) for Speakerman. Would be great for the soft maple: 50/50 boiled linseed oil/mineral spirits wiped on and set for an hour followed by Minwax 'English Chestnut', a reddish dark brown. Cherry also tends to take finish unevenly so it too benefits from a pre-stain or wash coat; then build layers of colors. The first item under "Highlights" is a link to 'Dyes and Staind For Oiled Finishes' Merry Pranks Website Ash really looks good "pickled" and this is hte best/easiest stuff to use: Behlen Pickling StainAlmost as many opinions on Woodworking as Audio and these are just mine.
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Aniline [message #29560 is a reply to message #29559] |
Mon, 18 July 2005 14:29 |
GarMan
Messages: 960 Registered: May 2009
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Illuminati (2nd Degree) |
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Bill, thanks to you, I discovered water-based aniline dye this Spring and now I have at least 8 different tones at home that I mix and match. Depth and clarity is unmatched by the stuff I used to use from HD. The only pain is grain raising. Uneven finish on some wood is still an issue with this stuff but I find lightly spraying the piece with water first lets the dye soak in more evenly. I finished by Tangband bookshelves with black aniline dyed oak and it looks incredible. With the cherry, I read in a recent magazine that the best way to finish is just a clear coat with no dye or stain, and just let it darken with age.
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