Thread: The DREAM

Well not exactly my cup of tea, but certainly will be impressive. Why do you want to use Oregon? I would have thought something more fitting to that amount of work would be appropriate. Can't think of an alternative though. Maybe Blackwood? .

Not my taste either, but I have to agree with Tea Lady; if you're going to spend a considerable time making those pieces, I would consider using a decent furniture timber rather than common house-building timber.

My thoughts only, but this might assist in making your decision.

Oregon in my experience is difficult to get a smooth furniture-grade surface on. The grain often consists of softer rings in between harder rings and when sanding the softer grain wears away faster, leaving a rippled surface. Planing it often leads to tear out.

You have suggested staining it, in which case I would avoid weathered oregon as you are going to have to go to great lengths to get rid of the "weathering glaze" or greying. Either way you are going to end up with blotching in the staining process that will be very difficult to avoid and remedy.

My suggestion would be to use good old tasmanian oak aka KD hardwood. Harder, less prone to surface damage, more accepting of staining and immeasurably cheaper not to mention slightly more easily obtained than the walnut which I suspect was used in the pieces in the picture

I wish you well!!

Yep - just to add my 2c to what WW & Ray hve already said. Oregon is brittle & will be a beast to turn & carve. I know it's hard to bring yourself to drop a bundle on wood when you are not certain of the outcome, but you will find that using a suitable wood will make the job much easier, & a good outcome more likely. I would advise avoiding all softwoods (i.e. 'pine' family types) because they are such a bear to stain. Hardwoods, particularly straight-grained ones like T.O. as Ray suggests, are much easier to stain, and you will find them much easier to turn & carve than Oregon if you selct the right bits. Good Blackwood is nicer still to work with, and wouldn't need staining, though it's such a variable timber you have to choose pieces very carefullly to get a good match.

Good luck - it's great to have a goal. By the time you get it done, you will be a pretty slick woodworker...

Cheers,

I also agree with the comments above. When you complete this behometh of a project you may find yourself wishing you had used a more durable and attractive timber. A lot of work is going to be involved so you should think about making with as good a timber you can both afford and like. Tasmanian oak does have its place. It is quite pale but you could think about staining. Alternatively there are a lot of other moderately-priced timbers around that might appeal to you, among which Blackwood is an indigenous example. Good luck and post photos as you progress.

WOW and whatever wood you choose you gotta find enough it so it all matches , wish you well

Not my cup of tea either, but have to agree with the comments re oregon. I dont think it would do your project the justice it deserves and in the end your the dissapointed one.