Woodworker's Journal 2009-33-4, страница 23

The Strong, Popular Type

By Rob Johnstone with Tim Knight

From flooring to fine furniture, few species of lumber are as versatile and practical as Red Oak. No wonder its Latin name means "fine tree."

en I was a callow youth of nine or ten, no substance was stronger in iny mind than "solid oak." My childhood friend, Jeff Brace, on the other hand, was a proponent of ironwood (he had discovered this species while reading a Tarzan comic book). Heated debate would ensue between us as we discussed which species would be better for, say, fixing a damaged submarine or propping open the Lost Dutchman mine — concepts of some import to young men of an age. As I grew older, my father would talk of the difference between red oak and white oak, and my once universal support of oak as a species was redirected to the red oak variety. When I was older still and working in my dad's cabinet shop, I can't even begin to estimate the thousands of board feet of red oak that went through our doors. To say that it was the most popular and common kitchen cabinet hardwood in our shop of the 1970s and '80s would be an understatement.

Why Woodworkers Like It

Despite the opinion of my youth, red oak, while strong, is not so hard as to be difficult to work with. Properly cured red oak machines exceptionally well with hand or power tools. Its unique acrid smell is one that I experience fondly and is known in many thousands of shops across the country. One reason that red oak became so popular as a furniture and cabinet-making species is that, in addition to its durability and universal availability, it stains quite well, while retaining its strong figure patterns. If you want a black walnut hue to your project, but want to avoid the premium price that actual walnut lumber carries with it, red oak is a great choice. In a similar manner, it can handle red hues or fruitwood stains with ease.

The leaves of red oaks typically have bristles on their tips (top inset). The flowers result in acorns, which are an important source of food for deer, birds and other forest animals.

23 August 2009 Woodworker's Journal