Chris Head Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 I'm a chainsaw carver/sculptor by trade and also produce my own beams/joists/door surrounds/posts and huge fire surrounds. The whole idea of using green oak is that you want it to move, shake, split or do whatever it wants to do! Yes in a structural situation it's important that you visually 'stress grade' , or read the timber, for example avoiding old wounds or dead knots that could affect the structural integrity of the timber. I cut all my timber by chainsaw and shape it all by hand, I now supply artisans both here and back in the UK (but I do very much limit the work I do!). Obviously you wouldn't use green Oak where you would require stability, floorboards or doors for instance.The most important aspect of working with green timber is simply to go with the flow and try not to control mother nature too much, 'cos she always wins in the end!As for Sweet Chestnut....use it and enjoy it! It is a lovely timber, either green or seasoned, very durable and reasonably resistant to fungal and bacterial pathogens.My website is www.chrishead.net if you want to peep? There's not much reference to what I'm talking about but we've decided to build more pages to include what I've talked about above. Please feel free to contact me. I'm happy to talk to anyone who cares about the aesthetics of their exposed timbers and I'm willing to help folk who wish to make their own timbers.Oh and guys and gals, don't sweat the small stuff.....and it's allllll small stuff!!!Regards to all, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobc Posted November 21, 2004 Share Posted November 21, 2004 "My website is www.chrishead.net if you want to peep?"A good site - well worth a look by anyone who is seriously interested in working in wood and needs a source of ideas and materials.Bob Clarkehttp://perso.wanadoo.fr/grindoux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter72 Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 This topic is very interesting, I haven't seen so much disregard for the "First law of holes" for some time. Keep up the bitching it is very entertaining.My favorite quote is "you try to use green(fresh) oak for a roof truss,then it won't even be able to support it's own weight." and since I don't have any nice letters behind my name I wondered if someone could explain how green (ie live) oak trees manage to stand up?RegardsPeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted November 24, 2004 Share Posted November 24, 2004 I've never heard what the first law of holes is.....dare I even ask the question? Ermmm, root systems tend to help a tree stand up Peter.Cheers, Chris Head Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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