Replies

1. 
   Lataxe | Apr 26, 2009 09:06pm | #1

   Brian,

   The sap is likely to show, even if stained most carefully.  The heartwood changes colour over time and the sappy bits will out.

   But that's not the worst thing.  That oak sap wood is a favourite snack of the beetle, as it lacks the tanins which are in the heartwood; and also has nice sugars in it.  I try never to leave any sap in my planks - although sometimes it catches one out and there is a corner or streak of the rascal blaring itself out of a drawer-side or panel. Doh!

   Lataxe

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Apr 27, 2009 02:11am | #2

   Agree with Lataxe. Some is just pure white and the stain won't hide the contrast. I cut most out on the outer portion of a board but will use a lighter shade and darker shade together in some cases. I pay $4 a bd. ft. for QSWO and I am currently using 140 board feet in a computer desk-hutch. That's a lot for one project.

   I have to call my supplier in the morning and tell them how many bd. ft. I want as they do not keep it on-hand to be hand picked through. It is down the hill in the form of a tree which they slice and dice as they get an order so... if I ask for say 60 BF, I have to take what comes off the section of tree which will include heart-wood and sapwood.

   I could drive 45 miles to another source and hand pick for the most part but.. they charge $6.85 a BF so... it would cost close to a fortune and doesn't fit my retired budget for wood. I do the best I can as I would prefer to hand pick as I get to on all other species.. use only heart-wood but... economics forces me to compromise to stay in my economic comfort range.

   Good luck...

   Sarge..

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/26/2009 7:14 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   mrbird90 | Apr 27, 2009 03:54am | #3

   Sarge, You have to come to Ohio, I can get you all the Q sawn WO you need for $3.95/bd.bft. and you can pick it your self. Bet you can get ceder there cheaper than here.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Apr 27, 2009 04:30am | #4

   Hand picking would be nice as I do love to work with the QSWO. I can pick through flat sawn WO.. red oak... soft, hard and curly maple.. mahogany.. walnut.. cherry.. alder.. etc. etc... just not QSWO for the reason mentioned. My supplier has done hardwood for almost 40 years and caters to Atlanta cabinet builders. QS is just not the main menu of their largest customers.

   Yeah.. some stuff is really cheap. Locale does enter into that. There are a few individual run small saw-mills just north in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains that are really cheap. Just not convenient to go up as a 2 1/2 hour drive when my supplier is 13 miles up the street.

   Regards...

   Sarge..

3. 
   doorboy | Apr 27, 2009 04:48pm | #5

   I learned a few years ago--and Lataxe is right--that there are no tannins in the sapwood. I fumed a piece of furniture and ended up with some 'white' areas. After asking questions in Knots--and maybe another forum or two--I took the advice of someone and used a glaze on the objectionable areas between finish coats. It turned out beautiful, doesn't hide the grain, and I expect it to last the life of the furniture.
   You might look into glazing the sapwood, and with just a little practice, get some good results.