And you've learned why they never make whiskey barrels from Red
Oak...................they leak.

Barry


"Doug Miller" wrote in message
.com...
In article , "Kevin"
wrote:
Thanks Doug. And one more question. I have a hedge clipper with a
broken
handle. Oak would be good for the replacement?

Tool handles of nearly all sorts [1] are traditionally made from ash.
Oak
would work, but ash is a better choice for several reasons. It has a
much
better strength-to-weight ratio than oak, or indeed most other domestic
woods.
It's easier to turn. And it's cheaper, too. (Except when compared to
free red
oak, of course.)

Unfortunately for the recipient of said free wood, red oak is
particularly
ill-suited for use in any outdoor application. I believe you've already
learned about its porosity. :-) It will soak up water even more readily
than
it soaks up oil; this makes it much more likely than ash to warp, split,
rot,
or all three.

[1] The principal exceptions are hammer, axe, and hatchet handles, which
are
nearly always made from hickory due to its extremely high shock
resistance.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek-at-milmac-dot-com)

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