Thread: Oak for a handle???

Does anyone know a good reason to not use oak as a brush handle. I want to make my on brush and happen to have lots of scrap oak laying around from other projects that I could use. It seems as though I read somewhere that it shouldn't be used but I can't find it anywhere.

Originally Posted by roughneck

Does anyone know a good reason to not use oak as a brush handle. I want to make my on brush and happen to have lots of scrap oak laying around from other projects that I could use. It seems as though I read somewhere that it shouldn't be used but I can't find it anywhere.

I use oak frequently. I seal it very well before using a finish. I love the look.

I agree with ken, oak is great, but you'll have to seal it very well, so that moisture will not stain, discolor or crack it.

thanks guys. do you think I can seal it with a poly acryilc or is there something else that is better.

A water borne acrylic varnish should be OK, but the super glue type cyano acrylates are really tough and may work better for long term wetting. Some of the moisture cure urethane finishes might work too. What you need to find is something that comes in a small container as most of the modern clear finishes other than lacquer should work well.

You may check for some of the posts by Spazola (Charlie) - he's a furniture restorer by trade. I think there has been some mention of using strong tea before finishing the wood due to tannins. I have also heard something about hickory and oak being able to mildly tarnish carbon steel. I think the main issue is to seal it well - as the other guys already said .

White oak is one of the most rot/water resistance woods, red oak is not the greatest around water and water vapor. That being said nearly any wood will work great if it is sealed well.

Use what you got.

Charlie

Thanks for the great info. I can't wait to post some pics when I get this thing turned.

A member at another forum recently did a turning in oak, and used a clear epoxy for the sealant. It looks really nice, and the clear epoxy gave it a sort of "honey" color. PM me and I'll send you a link.