Commercial Oaks
Page 53
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
An Outline of the Various Species of Oak on the Market, Giving their Advantages and Drawbacks By a Timber Salesman
OAK has always played an important part. in the construction of commercialvehicles, for the simple reason that no other wood is to be found combining the .qualities which make it the most adaptable timber in the world. It can be used for fitting, interior decoration, delicate carving, heavy constructional work and many other purposes.
• But although it is one of the bestknown woods, oak still holds tha reputation for being a wood over which the user can be most easily deceived. There are over 30 different kinds of this timber, with varying prices.
British . oaks are the most
portant, comprising two species. The inferior species is known as chestnut oak and it is often mistaken for chestnut. The British oak is in universal demand, because it is reckoned to be the toughest and most durable wood in the world.
But it has one great drawback. It contains a large amount of acid and if used in contact with iron it will quickly set up corrosion, unless the wood he thoroughly dry. Its chief defect is that it is nearly always shaky, I.e., split,. if it be naturally dried. Chestnut Oak is the
•
worse in this respect and presents the greatest difficulty in seasoning.
Of many American oaks the white and red varieties form the chief imports into this country and white oak is by far the better. It arrives cut into different widths and thicknesses, with a good variety , of lengths, enabling the consumer to purchase nearer to actual requirements—a big advantage to the small consumer. Being already kiln-dried, as are all foreign hardwoods, it is fit for immediate use.
American oak is at par with all foreign oaks, slightly better than some, but it is inferior in strength to British oak. However, it is the best oak for bending purposes, showing extraordinary elasticity.
American red oak is the most inferior wood of its kind, and with the naked eye it is not always easily distinguishable from white oak. The wood is coarse-grained, porous, brittle and spongy, and it should be rejected except for the roughest work. If one is doubtful about its identification, it is advisable to specify on the order, "northern white oak."
In recent years Japanese oak has become extremely popular, possibly because of the convenient sizes in which it can be obtained. It is darker in colour than is Amorican oak, as well as being close-grained and unusually hard. Many woodworkers opine that this oak is superior to all foreign species.
In colour French oak closely resembles the American variety, but it has a much finer grain. It takes the polish well and is suitable for panelling.
Slavonian oak is a straightgrained wood of firm texture, uniform in colour and is milder than other foreign timber of this class.
Canadian white oak is the best of all imported oaks. It is clean, sound, straight-grained and lighter in colour than is English oak, but it is the most expensive. Oak is a wide term and the greatest care should be taken when purchasing.