Thread: English Oak

Hello Paul,

Re the price asked, my immediate thoughts were wow that is cheap, but how much of the slabs are useable?

As whole slabs only 6 of the smaller sized ones.

The larger ones are all split through, or split around knots.

I'm just wondering whether it's not worth just doing my best with it, even with 30% waste.

I would grab some at those prices for chairs, small tables, tools etc. It would also make a good workbench, knots and all!

Originally Posted by paulsmithx

I was recently lured by the promise of "well dried English Oak slabs".

This was from a tree that was felled and milled 2 years ago. Indeed it seemed well covered. Upon dismantling the slab I found some mold and a majority of the larger slabs had split.

Out went my thoughts of nice solid slab dining table, for which oak was probably poorly suited anyway.

Now the question is should I grab it and have it all remilled into smaller pieces and laminate for a wokbench and table top, or should I just leave it alone?

The owner is asking $12 per smaller slab - about 1800x40x400, and $20 per large slab - 1800x40x900. Would it be cheaper to buy pre milled oak?

Thoughts?
Thanks
Paul

Paul,
I see firewood in bags next to the door at my local petrol station dearer than that.
I've had a couple of large Oak trees milled by Charlsie, back in 2004, and they have dried pretty much as you describe. Mostly we tried to cut it quarter-sawn, and only cut a few slabs.
Wouldn't bother with slabs again, knots will always twist, bend and crack the drying oak.
With Oak I count on a huge waste factor, but I think at that price it is worth it....then cut it into smaller pieces and use it up.
Made my grandson's nursery furniture using some of mine cut into narrow and thin sections.
Compared to the blackwood I also have air dried, I have found it does shrink a bit when brought inside though. So it might be worth watching out for that.
Regards,
Peter