Academy Notes and Tips
SEPT/OCT
2004
Volume 47/Issue 5
IN
THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
Living Room Sofa Table
• Nob Hill Cable Car
• Two-Shelf Telephone Stand/Side Table
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
•
New Baby Workshop Calendar
Academy Notes
Hardwood
Information You Should Know - Pt 2
Service Pointers
Disc
Sander
Woodworking
Technologies
Stepped
Dowels
Safety
Safety Lessons I've Learned
What's
New
Referral
Rewards Program
EDUCATION
• Find
A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
•
National
Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH
ONLINE
CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
•
Request
Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online
Replacement Parts Catalog
MARK
V INFORMATION
•
Find
A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
•
Request
MARK V Information Package
LINKS
•
Links Worth Visiting
•
Free Woodworking
Tips
FEEDBACK
Contacting
Shopsmith
Copyright
2004.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
From
the Shopsmith Woodworking Academy
Hardwood Information
You Should Know -- Part 2 of 4
Printer
friendly PDF copy of article (15K)
Red Oak -- genus:
Quercus ---- principal lumber species: Rubra (Northern Red Oak). Other
common lumber species: Pin Oak, Black Oak, Southern Red Oak
There is no better known or more widely used hardwood group in the United
States than the oaks. Together, they comprise numerous species, but they
are generally classified as either red oak or white oak. When freshly
cut, both red oak and white oak look similar in grain pattern and texture,
but red oak has a distinct reddish tone compared to white oak's light
brown appearance.
There are several distinctions which separate the red oaks from the white oaks. Masses of cells called tyloses appear in the pores of some hardwoods (namely white oak and black locust). These tyloses in the pores make the wood extremely water resistant. Red oak has FEW tyloses, meaning it is NOT water resistant unless it is sealed.
Northern red oak grows across the Eastern United States, as far South as Arkansas and Alabama, reaching an average height of 65 feet. The Northern red oak may be the fastest-growing of our native oak species. The open pores of red oak give it an open grain and coarse texture. Grain patterns can vary significantly, depending on the way the wood is cut.
Red oak is heavy and stiff, extremely strong and very shock resistant. It is moderately easy to work and holds nails and screws exceptionally well. As you can see from the chart, red oak rates fairly high for almost every operation.
Like all oaks, red oak finishes well, but for a super-smooth surface, you should fill it before painting or finishing. You can, however, achieve a variety of textures with red oak because of its open grain.
Many of today's kitchen cabinets are made of solid red oak or red oak veneer. Its popularity for kitchens is probably attributed to its warm, soft color - perfect for the “hub” of the home. Red oak blends beautifully in contemporary or traditional decors, and its strength and durability make it a popular choice for furniture, architectural moldings and cabinetry.
Coming up in the November/December issue -- PART Three of Four Hardwood Information You Should Know
