milling oak question

[chris hennelly]

Hi! What is the difference between "Rift sawn" and "Quarter cut " Oak ?

Does any one mill around Wisbech?       Cheers. chris.

[treequip]

I think rift sawn is a largely american term, in the UK its generally called through and through but terminology can vary and I stand to be corrected. 

Quarter sawn is where the log is cut into quarters then each segment is cut and turned. Quarter sawing reveals more of the medullary rays which gives a better looking timber, (particularly in Oak) and is allegedly more dimensionaly stable. Downside is that it takes a lot longer but in the right timber the effort is worthwhile. Have a look on youtube for quarter sawing.

Edited November 10, 2017 by treequip

[billpierce]

[devon TWiG]

8 hours ago, billpierce said:

Also known as radial sawing    ...to maximise the beauty of medullary rays in woods like London plane ( large )  or on occasions can be cleft in same manner .