My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
until I could find a suitable alternative.
In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
Staining? Finishing?
Thanks again to ever'body.
-Phil Crow
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
Why not follow a long history of furniture makers and use cheap wood where
it doesn't show and get the beauty of the good stuff in trim and veneer?
Make the top from plywood with a bread board edge and the legs from your ash
or pine.
--
Roger Shoaf
About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 21:51:31 GMT, Nick Bozovich <[email protected]> wrote:
> Actually I wasn't looking for any ash, but accidently found a piece of
> ash... :-))
Everybody likes a nice piece of ash once in a while.
Actually, I've got many thousands of ash trees on about 20 acres,
that I'm trimming and waiting patiently for them to grow. My kids
may get rich on them, I don't think I will. They're 10-15 feet
high and maybe up to 3" diameter right now, but I'm making 'em nice
and straight...
Dave Hinz
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
White ash, of course. Lot of "pecan" furniture is made of ash. Gel stain
would be best, as the earlywood rejects stain.
Only other thing I'd like to add is the importance of routing the edge
round, not just breaking with sandpaper. With the diffuse-porous nature of
the wood, a splinter can form quickly from a modest impact, catching
clothing and pulling threads until you locate and sand it back.
DAMHIKT
Did you go looking for the hard ash by mistake? Is there softer stuff,
called lard ash? Oh, the jokes just keep on comin'!
Clint
"Nick Bozovich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:sRIEd.5585$C.3976@trnddc05...
> Phil -
> I used ash for the legs and supports for my workbench. Like you said,
it's
> really HARD. But, I found that it machined and sanded well. It had what
I
> thought was a beautiful grain pattern. I didn't stain it, just put
waterlox
> on it. I thought it was very similiar to working oak -
>
> Nick B
>
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> > declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> > suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> > until I could find a suitable alternative.
> >
> > In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
> > infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
> > around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
> > ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
> > pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
> > limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
> > that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
> >
> > At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> > would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> > see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> > know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> > Staining? Finishing?
> >
> > Thanks again to ever'body.
> >
> > -Phil Crow
> >
>
>
Ash is a great wood. I like it better than oak. Vertical grain ash is my
favorite. It works like oak but is whiter in color. It is very strong, (they
make bats in ash) pleasing, stains well and is reasonably priced.
max
> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
> In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
> infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
> around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
> ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
> pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
> limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
> that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>
> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
>
> Thanks again to ever'body.
>
> -Phil Crow
>
Actually I wasn't looking for any ash, but accidently found a piece of
ash... :-))
Nick
"Clint" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:B8WEd.51730$Xk.22721@pd7tw3no...
> Did you go looking for the hard ash by mistake? Is there softer stuff,
> called lard ash? Oh, the jokes just keep on comin'!
>
> Clint
>
> "Nick Bozovich" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:sRIEd.5585$C.3976@trnddc05...
>> Phil -
>> I used ash for the legs and supports for my workbench. Like you said,
> it's
>> really HARD. But, I found that it machined and sanded well. It had what
> I
>> thought was a beautiful grain pattern. I didn't stain it, just put
> waterlox
>> on it. I thought it was very similiar to working oak -
>>
>> Nick B
>>
>>
>> <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> > My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
>> > declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
>> > suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
>> > until I could find a suitable alternative.
>> >
>> > In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
>> > infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
>> > around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
>> > ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
>> > pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
>> > limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
>> > that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>> >
>> > At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
>> > would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
>> > see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
>> > know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
>> > Staining? Finishing?
>> >
>> > Thanks again to ever'body.
>> >
>> > -Phil Crow
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
[email protected] wrote:
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
Only that it's a really nice wood to work with. Working is similar to
oaks, with less chipping and stringyness than red. Ash is a snap to
stain, but looks extra nice if it's natural light color can work into
the design.
Don't write a wood off just because it's not expensive.
Barry
Naw, no caveats. Everyone likes a good piece of ash every now and then...
Clint
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
> In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
> infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
> around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
> ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
> pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
> limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
> that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>
> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
>
> Thanks again to ever'body.
>
> -Phil Crow
>
I find it very similiar to red oak, just a creamier yellow color. It has
about the same workability and stain ability. IMO. Although, if you've
ever split wood with a wedge-sledge, it's much harder to split ash than any
oak. --dave
"max" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:BE09407B.402E5%[email protected]...
> Ash is a great wood. I like it better than oak. Vertical grain ash is my
> favorite. It works like oak but is whiter in color. It is very strong,
> (they
> make bats in ash) pleasing, stains well and is reasonably priced.
> max
>
>> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
>> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
>> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
>> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>>
>> In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
>> infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
>> around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
>> ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
>> pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
>> limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
>> that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>>
>> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
>> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
>> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
>> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
>> Staining? Finishing?
>>
>> Thanks again to ever'body.
>>
>> -Phil Crow
>>
>
[email protected] wrote:
> Thanks. Based on what I culled from the archives, it would seem that
> blotchy stain is the chief complaint,
ON ASH? <G>
Do we get some sort if freakish ash here in New England? Even with crap
home center products, ash takes stain as well as red oak.
This is stained ash, clear coated with shellac, done with no special
technique, washcoats, etc...:
<http://www.bburke.com/wood/images/nightstand-12.jpg>
Barry
On Tue, 11 Jan 2005 12:31:49 GMT, B a r r y
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Do we get some sort if freakish ash here in New England?
Yes. Ash is a variable timber between species (and for quality, highly
variable acording to growing conditions). Don't assume that anything
about your supply will apply equally to another. It's also one of
those timbers (like beech or walnut and unlike maple or cherry) where
the European varieties are much superior to the American.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] wrote:
Many years ago I built a trestle table and six chairs of ash. I found
the wood easy to work with. It seemed softer than oak and not nearly as
porous. Some of the boards had very interesting grain, and board
selection is important. I believe the ash would have a more interesting
grain than cherry.
If ash is that cheap it is a good time to load up.
Dick
> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
> In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
> infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
> around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
> ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
> pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
> limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
> that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>
> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
>
> Thanks again to ever'body.
>
> -Phil Crow
>
On 11 Jan 2005 22:27:06 GMT, Dave Hinz <[email protected]> wrote:
>My kids may get rich on them, I don't think I will.
Ash generally needs heavy thinning throughout its life and it's one
tree that _loses_ value enormously if left standing too long (brown
heart, or even hollowing). You could even coppice them, then
afterwards you cut at maybe 10 year intervals.
On 10 Jan 2005 19:50:25 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
>declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
>suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
>until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
>In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
>infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
>around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
>ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
>pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
>limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
>that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>
>At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
>would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
>see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
>know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
>Staining? Finishing?
>
>Thanks again to ever'body.
>
>-Phil Crow
I've found ash very easy to work (make sure you have stable, well-cured
wood, but that applies to any wood you choose). Some of the ash I used on
my entertainment center drawers was somewhat wild-grained which caused a
problem with getting a good finish-planed surface. Even here in Tucson,
ash is cheaper than poplar -- I used it as a secondary wood for the
entertainment center as well as the drawers. The smell from working ash is
unusual, but very pleasant, it does not tear out as easily as maple, it
does not burn on the tablesaw as easily as cherry, but does burn if you are
not careful with feed speed.
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Now we'll just use some glue to hold things in place until the brads dry
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
On 10 Jan 2005 19:50:25 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
>would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
>see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
>know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
>Staining? Finishing?
I don't think you will have much problem using ash if you are
comfortable using cherry. The cherry I've used has been quite a bit
harder than the ash I've used. Of course your mileage may vary.
Ash has such a wild grain that some times jointing can be a challenge.
Mike O.
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:50:25 -0800, phildcrowNOSPAM wrote:
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
Watch out for the sapwood. It acts like pine: hard ridges, soft between.
Nicer to work than white oak, imho. Dulls my plane irons and chisels
quickly. Mondo mallet I made from it dented quickly (but slightly). Not
enough to harm the mallet, but something to consider for your rental. I
have trouble keeping marking gauges from following the grain, but that
could just as easily be operator error.
At those prices, go for it!
--
"Keep your ass behind you"
vladimir a t mad {dot} scientist {dot} com
Phil -
I used ash for the legs and supports for my workbench. Like you said, it's
really HARD. But, I found that it machined and sanded well. It had what I
thought was a beautiful grain pattern. I didn't stain it, just put waterlox
on it. I thought it was very similiar to working oak -
Nick B
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My bid that I prepared for my 10-foot trestle table in cherry got, ah,
> declined. Which is pretty much what I figured. When the client
> suggested using framing lumber for the table, I asked him to hold off
> until I could find a suitable alternative.
>
> In all likelihood, that alternative is ash. Last year, due to a bug
> infestation, the USFS or the ODNR cut down just about every ash tree
> around here (northern OH). As such, there is a glut on the market in
> ash. Roughsawn 5/4, #1 and better is going for about $2/bf. White
> pine is $3 for 4/4, and cherry is almost $6. This is based on a rather
> limited search, however. Free market being what it is, I would imagine
> that any price I would find would be close to those numbers.
>
> At any rate, I've never used ash before. From what I can tell, it
> would seem to be a particularly good wood to use on a table that will
> see use in a by-the-week rental cottage. Is there anything I need to
> know in particular about this HARD HARD wood? Machining? Hand work?
> Staining? Finishing?
>
> Thanks again to ever'body.
>
> -Phil Crow
>