Oak or Maple for Cabinet legs

"Pin_In_Calgary" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Y7GWj.2686$KB3.1294@edtnps91...
> I'm trying to bring an old woodrail pinball machine, '55 Williams Three
> Deuces, back to life. Unfortunately, the wooden legs that came with the
> game
> aren't the correct ones. Rather than trying to modify the legs I have to
> work, requires drilling out the bolt holes, I'm looking at making my own.
>
> The finished dimensions of the legs are 34 1/2"(l) x 2 1/4"(d) x 1
> 3/4"(w).
> The top 6 1/2" inches of each leg is v-grooved to sit on the corner of the
> cabinet. The legs are held to the cabinet with 2 - 3/8"x16, 3 1/2" bolts.
> There is a 1/8" bolt that goes across the width of the leg about halfway
> down the notch which I suspect is used to keep the leg from cracking
> vertically along the v-grove. The bottom of the legs is drilled out to
> accept leg levelers. The cabinet weighs about 250lbs. I'd probably be
> finishing the legs with Varathene.
>
> I'm on the west coast of Canada so it's easier, and cheaper, to get
> Western(Big Leaf) Maple(Acer macrophyllum), than Eastern Hard Maple(Acer
> saccharum) or any of the Oaks.
>
> My big concern is with the legs bowing or splitting over time and hence am
> coming to the group to get some guidance as to which wood to use for the
> legs.


I think you are only going to be concerned with the appearance. Both are
strong woods and neither in my experience has more of a tendency to warp or
bow over the other. Go with your gut.

Thanks.

Alfred
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Pin_In_Calgary" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Y7GWj.2686$KB3.1294@edtnps91...
>> I'm trying to bring an old woodrail pinball machine, '55 Williams Three
>> Deuces, back to life. Unfortunately, the wooden legs that came with the
>> game
>> aren't the correct ones. Rather than trying to modify the legs I have to
>> work, requires drilling out the bolt holes, I'm looking at making my own.
>>
>> The finished dimensions of the legs are 34 1/2"(l) x 2 1/4"(d) x 1
>> 3/4"(w).
>> The top 6 1/2" inches of each leg is v-grooved to sit on the corner of
>> the
>> cabinet. The legs are held to the cabinet with 2 - 3/8"x16, 3 1/2" bolts.
>> There is a 1/8" bolt that goes across the width of the leg about halfway
>> down the notch which I suspect is used to keep the leg from cracking
>> vertically along the v-grove. The bottom of the legs is drilled out to
>> accept leg levelers. The cabinet weighs about 250lbs. I'd probably be
>> finishing the legs with Varathene.
>>
>> I'm on the west coast of Canada so it's easier, and cheaper, to get
>> Western(Big Leaf) Maple(Acer macrophyllum), than Eastern Hard Maple(Acer
>> saccharum) or any of the Oaks.
>>
>> My big concern is with the legs bowing or splitting over time and hence
>> am
>> coming to the group to get some guidance as to which wood to use for the
>> legs.
>
>
> I think you are only going to be concerned with the appearance. Both are
> strong woods and neither in my experience has more of a tendency to warp
> or bow over the other. Go with your gut.
>