thick oak slabs from 1840's plantation tree heading to kiln this morning
Much like life, it seems that there is much to learn about the drying process of all this unusually cut lumber. My conservative rule of thumb in drying our very unique and valuable lumber has been to air dry it for almost one year per inch of thickness before it goes into the kiln. We certainly aren't going to take chances with this historical lumber. Actually, I think we might speed up the process a bit, but continue babying it through the process. This morning I'll be delivering these 48" wide Barton Hall Plantation thick oak slabs to my friend that has a kiln operation in Tennessee, for our first pre-drying process. We'll leave it in the pre-dryer for three or four months or so, and place it in the kiln when it's ready. Oak is our biggest challenge to dry. More about drying oak compared to other species in future posts
working on a thick oak slab dining table this morning
Here's a closeup of the dimensional joint in this thick oak slab dining table. This will be just the second table to incorporate this joint. If it doesn't interfere with "dining" (which is very important to me) I think we may be on to something.
Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway Crossing
Nice day for a drive to Tupelo for the furniture show. The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of my favorite drives whenever we're not in a hurry.
First youtube video - planing thick oak slab
It's not much, but here's my first youtube video of Andrea planing the 15' long thick oak slab last week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgUJ9-1VMSY
guests from Tennessee Valley Museum of Art examine two century old thick oak slab
how to get three 16 foot thick oak slabs out a 10' door and planed
Seems like this, just like much of our process, follow the "slow studio" theme. Once we got these three thick oak slabs out of the building yesterday, it took all day (and then some) just to get two of them planed. With rain forecast for last night, we got 'em back in the dry before we called it - a good day.
225 yr thick oak slab
favorite burger
cold creek
my fav huntsville restaurant
During the winter months, I just can't get enough of the pho tai here at our fav huntsville restaurant. Not sure how long this restaurant has been in Huntsville, but we were nicely surprised to find it a few years ago. In the past, we were only able to enjoy these wonderful delicacies when traveling in larger cities. If they just had a nice comfortable cherry bench inside, it'd be perfect.
Low natural edge oak table in the works today
Oak is becoming my next walnut. Have only made a few oak tables, but am becoming more and more intrigued with it, it's strength, beautiful grain patterns, even wondrous coloration as it begins to rot. Three years ago I found some really large oak logs, cut them into big slabs, and allowed them to air dry. Now, they are out of the kiln and beginning to become furniture. I will probably continue to continue to build the bulk of my pieces in walnut and cherry, but for now, I'm really getting a kick out of oak.
Rethinking Oak
More often than not, when I come to a quick "judgment" of - well - almost anything, it's usually inaccurate. Whether it's politics, people, food, design - coming to early judgements and conclusions seem only to be mind limiting for me. I don't particularly like peanuts, but I certainly have enjoyed wonderful spring rolls dipped in a peanut sauce. I've been rethinking oak lately. I think oak has a bad rap. Will be back to discuss soon. Gotta go for now.
Modern oak desk with "flowing creek" grain pattern
last table of the year
This is the first of my "flowing creek" line in oak. Rubbed the first coat (on and off) of the tung/linseed oil blend into the undersides before we called it a year at noon yesterday.
Santa's working on a new website
In addition to launching a couple of new lines, the new website will feature more detailed information (including dimensions) the furniture that is in stock, as well as a new shopping cart. Perhaps by February.