Uses for Black Oak planks

Stan P · February 12, 2008, 08:51:49 PM

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone is having a good winter and staying warm. I have a chance to buy 2000 board foot of black oak. I heard it's not great for finish work but thought I might be able to use it for something. Most is 5/4 cut 6 to 8 inches wide. any thoughts ? maybe top flooring for the log cabin?

thanks

Stan

Dave Shepard · February 12, 2008, 10:12:00 PM

I was told by one log buyer that it is very close to red oak, but has a lot more pin knots, and would be down graded if I included it in with the red oak.

Dave

metalspinner · February 12, 2008, 10:14:46 PM

I've collected and sawn several MBF of Black oak and the lumber is very good. These were nice logs , though. Your's is unknown. You just have to take a look.

Greenskeeper · February 12, 2008, 10:44:54 PM

Red oak black oak all the same.I have done finish work with both and you can't tell them apart.All the black oak that I have milled seems to have a lot of mineral stain in it.I think it planes up and take finish well.

beenthere · February 13, 2008, 12:04:24 AM

Stan
What grade is it?

Stan P · February 13, 2008, 06:09:48 AM

Thanks.. Been there. It is not graded and I have never graded lumber. the tree was in a friends yard and he had a fellow cut it with a band mill. It has been in a solar kiln for the last 9 months. Most of it looks ok, although the stickers should have been closer than the 2 1/2 feet. probably, some warping. but for the $1 per bdf he owes on it, its probably a decent bet, even thought most is not quarter sawn. me and the kids could have some fun building something, or putting the finished floor on the log cabin. (right now still pine sub floor)

Stan

Ron Wenrich · February 13, 2008, 06:21:23 AM

I've sawn millions of bf of black oak lumber. It goes right in the red oak pile, and ends up being used in cabinets and other furniture wood. We also sell black oak logs for veneer.

Black oak doesn't saw out as nice as red oak, and I usually can tell the difference in the board. But, most people can't. It doesn't prune itself as good as red oak, so it goes to a lower grade quicker than a comparable red oak log does.

Current prices for green uppers are around 90¢/bf. Being that its dry adds about 20¢. But, it would have to be pretty nice stuff for that price.

WILDSAWMILL · February 13, 2008, 08:18:04 AM

OUR BLACK OAK HERE IS MOST BEAUTIFUL WITH RED & BLACK STAINS
LOTS OF SMALL KNOTS . THE ANTS REALY LIKE IT A LOT MORE THAN ANY OTHERE WOOD ON OUR PLACE

beenthere · February 13, 2008, 09:47:53 AM

Quote from: WILDSAWMILL on February 13, 2008, 08:18:04 AM
OUR BLACK OAK HERE IS MOST BEAUTIFUL WITH RED & BLACK STAINS
LOTS OF SMALL KNOTS . THE ANTS REALY LIKE IT A LOT MORE THAN ANY OTHERE WOOD ON OUR PLACE

I think one will find that ants like nearly any wood that is wet and/or decayed.
If dry, and free of decay...you won't find carpenter ants in the wood.

Stan P · February 13, 2008, 06:21:44 PM

thank you for the comments. I guess if I can find a (dry) place to store it I will take it off his hands.

Stan

ErikC · February 13, 2008, 09:14:54 PM

The black oak we have here obn the west coast can be beautiful. I have sawn some that went to flooring and cabinets and the end result was outstanding. It can get good size and have a nice long clear bole in some areas here in N CA.

Erik

Handy Andy · February 14, 2008, 07:51:10 AM

Just built a new router table out of Burr oak, the sawmillers call it black oak, but it has a light brown color, and I just finished it natural, no stain, and it is really a nice color. Used boards with flaws, and it really looks cool to me. Sorry no camera. Jim

Faron · February 14, 2008, 03:58:36 PM

The burr oaks we have around here are in the white oak family. We probably saw more black oak than actual Northern Red Oak. It grades out like Ron said. I gather in some areas black oak is not considered very good quality wood.

Stan P · February 15, 2008, 07:14:56 AM

thanks for your comments. it would be interesting to know if it lasts outdoors like white oak, or quickly rots like red oak. any thoughts?

thanks

Stan

uplander · February 15, 2008, 08:05:19 AM

I have a hard time telling red oak from black oak.
It seems as though one way someone told me was that black oak had a
distictive color just anderneath the bark. and that the upper branches
on one were smoother than on the other. I have also been told that in my area they cross pollinate. Can someone else elaborate a little?

Uplander

woodmills1 · February 15, 2008, 11:05:43 AM

The inner bark is a distinctive yellow orange on black oak.

Faron · February 15, 2008, 07:14:01 PM

Quote from: Stan P on February 15, 2008, 07:14:56 AM
thanks for your comments. it would be interesting to know if it lasts outdoors like white oak, or quickly rots like red oak. any thoughts?

thanks

Stan

It is the same as red oak, and will not last outdoors like white oak.

Ron Wenrich · February 16, 2008, 06:21:54 AM

A lot depends on your use. Any wood that is put in contact with the soil will rot. Some take longer than others. However, if you keep the wood off the ground, it will last a rather long time.

I have seen some pretty old red oak fence boards on locust posts. I have also seen some pretty old white pine used for siding. White pine would rot rather quickly if used in the ground.