White Oak

[cape cod]

I need some white oak for frames. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might get that in the Cape Cod area. Any other pointers on what I should be looking for when I purchase wood are appreciated.

[Stu Fyfe]

Try Chris Dias at Specialty Builders' Supply in Brewster. He says he can get anything. I picked up some iron wood from him. Call him first and save yourself a trip.
SBS 508-896-8866

[Tom Hoffman]

White Oak is one of my prefered woods for furniture making. The method I use for finding out of the way reasonably priced sources and also for getting just exactly what you want cut to spec.

Go to www.woodmizer.com (http://www.woodmizer.com) and get their phone number and call and ask for names of machine owners in your area. They do this because it helps them sell more machines. Many private owners and owners of small mills are around. Just hard to find.

I live in Iowa, and White Oak here is a species that is abundant, but since the advent of Red Oak in furnitue (mass produced) people have forgotten that white oak was almost always the historical species of choise by wood workers, boat builders (in Iowa there aren't to many) I am sure that this will lead you to a place where you will find what you want.

Here is their info: Contact Wood-Mizer at 1.800.553.0182 or infocenter@woodmizer.com.

[Ken Hutchins]

Got a chain saw? :D I saw a white oak at a well known burger place somewhere in or near Hyanis :D

[nedL]

If R.I isn't too far there is a good size saw mill there that I had good luck at for white oak (Thompson's I think)

[HarryH]

I also live on Cape Cod, and have purchased white oak from two sources that I am extremely pleased with, both off Cape. Smaller stuff is within 45 min of the Bridge, the other mill which supplied me with 4"x14"x 16' stuff is in CT, a 1-1/2 hr drive. If interested, I will dig out specifics.

H

[cape cod]

Thank you to all that have replied.

I spoke with SBS in Brewster, Chris was not available however I was given a price of $3.50 per L.F (1x6). Unfortuneately this oak is kiln dried so I'm not sure that's what I want.

I also contacted Woodmizer and was given a couple of #'s. My calls have not been returned as of this post.

Harry, I would appreciate the number and contact for the smaller stock if you don't mind.

Am I correct in saying that the white oak should be "green" or freshly cut so that it bends easily?

Thanks again...

[hikingchrs]

Too funny Ken, don't think I woun't know where the on white oak that is in my yard is if it ends up missing.
Chris

[Bruce Hooke]

Regarding how green the oak should be...if you need to make really sharp bends then the greener the better. Otherwise I would aim for air dry. In any case, that is usually what I have found when I've gone shopping for bending stock. Wood dries relatively quickly down to the 20-30% range once it's cut so to find really green stock you've got to get to it pretty quick...

[cape cod]

Once I get the wood.
Should it be soaked in salt or freshwater? How long should it be soaked for? The finished frame will be 3/4". Would a steaming time of approximately 45 minutes be accurate?

Thanks to all for the input.

[Bruce Hooke]

To the best of my knowledge there are two reasons to soak:

1. The wood is to dry and you want to get it wetter before you bend it. This can help if all you can get is kiln-dried stock, otherwise I wouldn't bother.

2. You want to keep the wood wet for a few months (or longer) until you are ready to use it.

If neither of these apply then I would not bother with soaking at all.

45 minutes for 3/4" stock sounds about right. One good techinque for gauging whether you have steamed enough is to put a, say, 2' long test piece of the same stock in the steambox with the real frame stock. When the test piece is nicely flexible then the real stuff is ready...

[pipefitter]

I have a huge live oak in my back yard. Has to be 6ft diameter at the base. One morning I went outside as my brother was visiting from out of state and I see him looking up in my tree.I am thinking he is squirrel watching when in fact he pointed out to me how many stems and knees I have in that tree. smile.gif

[HarryH]

Here you go, Cape Cod this is the smaller mill...try Delano Sawmill, 157 Cross Road in North Dartmouth, less than 10 minutes off Rt. 195. (508) 994-8752.

This is a small operation, and you should probably give him a call first, to see what's on hand. You can browse the yard to see if he is drying something that will suit you, or has something he would be willing to saw up, or maybe you'll have to wait a bit. But the upside of this is that the prices are more than fair. Always worth a call.

Best of luck, and please report on your success...

_Harry

[seayou77]

There is a mill along 195 towards Pvd. on left near the mall where you'd turn to go to S.Dartmouth, Ma. Sorry the name escapes me. Thompsens is at exit one I95 near the Ct. line.
Get more than you need, dimension to the larger size WxT 3/4 x 7/8 buy 1 inch Rip Plane bend.

[seayou77]

Harry got it, Delano! Know just what you're after, nice folk! They'll take care of you, take care of them! smile.gif smile.gif

[cape cod]

Thanks Harry for delano's #

I spoke with the guys over at Delano. I'm going to be picking up the wood next weekend. delano explained to me that the oak would be green and that it would be my responsibility for picking out the pieces I want. Any suggestions on what I should look for when picking out oak for frames grain direction etc....

I'm optomistic and looking forward to the whole process.

Mike