Oak Scales

I got my hands on some thin oak from the lumber store for a good price(6$ for about 6' planed down thickness. I'd like to use it to make scales, but I remember reading its not the bet?

Why?

Is it the porosity? If so would low viscosity CA seal up the pores and then a couple light coats of medium viscosity CA to finish?

Is it the strength? If so, would enough coats or CA finish strengthen it?

Oak is not sexy, but it's cheap.

Thanks,

Mark

Rats, wrong forum.

look in my albums under my profile for 2 sets of oak scales. i like them. i bet you will too.

Moved to here as requested by OP

also I did some Golden Oak scales too IIRC they are in the old BST achives.....

http://straightrazorpalace.com/buy-s...olden-oak.html



http://straightrazorpalace.com/buy-s...ak-scales.html



There ya go I knew they were still here someplace

Hello mate,
Oak can go black if subjected to moisture. I think if it's sealed properly, it'll be fine. It also has a long grain. Whilst this would make for a strong scale, especially if the timber was split to determine the direction of grain prior to planing, it also means the strength of the wood itself can lead to warping.

Oak IS sexy. it will change colour both with age and when subjected to different environments but most of all it's subject to shakes that will occur with changes in atmosphere. Correct sealing with the right products should help.

You will want to use a sanding sealer to close up the graining. You will probably have to lay down 3 or 4 coats sanding between each to get the pours sealed and the wood even. Then you can lay on your final finish. I have used Oak before, no problems. I have a nice 4/5th board of quilted white oak in the garage waiting for a project.