I would like to build a Japanese Ofuro for my home. This is a 5 sided wooden box…bath tub. I would like to get your input on finishing systems. I’ll use Teak as my 1st choice and Cypress as my second depending on price and avaliability. I don’t want to have this tub look like it’s been coated with pour on bartop finish but it needs to be very water tight as it will be on a second story and I could have major problems if it leaks or cracks.
Here is a link to one: www.rhtubs.com/images/hottubs/ofurowbench.htm
Thanks,
Chris
Replies
HiAgain....
Japanese ofuro are unfinished, the water swells the wood tight..... no leaks. They remain full of water and are usually wood fired (metal clad bottom) What you are talking about is a modification that sounds more like a wooden bathtub, in the western sense. In this case you need to isolate the wood as movement will tear the thing apart. This leaves you with epoxies and fiberglass ... sort of wrecks the mood but will give you what you are looking for. This is all covered pretty thouroughly in cold mould wood boatbuilding, so you may want to keep researching thereabouts.
Good luck!
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