What sizes to mill oak

[Bennovet]

Would like 2 large table tops and couple bench seats (all at 3m..) out of this nice straight oak. Any suggestions to thickness to mill? 100mm for tops? 70mm for benches? And then let it dry for few years [emoji6]

 

Cheers

[devon TWiG]

what happened with the felling ...90 degrees to hinge ?? 😱😁 

[Bennovet]

Haha, well spotted. Was a bit of a puzzle getting it down. Had a lot of weight hanging into neighbours field, top left. Had to put 5t winch cable 4.5m up to pull opposite way. Hung it into huge beech tree this way. Then released winch cable and it landed perfect, parrallel and inside fence. Not bad for an amateur.. took me well over hour to get in done (safely). I have tractor to move/handle it..

[trigger_andy]

19 minutes ago, Bennovet said:

 

Would like 2 large table tops and couple bench seats (all at 3m..) out of this nice straight oak. Any suggestions to thickness to mill? 100mm for tops? 70mm for benches? And then let it dry for few years

 

Cheers

 

Certainly a clean looking bit of Oak. If you can get enough outta that Log for your bench and Table at the sizes you've mentioned then go for it. Will certainly be bomb proof. Personally Id go 3" on the table top and 2" on the benches. At least the tops. The legs is another matter. 4" legs on the table and 3" on the bench would look lovely. 

[Bennovet]

Thanks, will get some metal legs made, so just need the slabs out of bottom trunk..
Might get some structural bit milled out of higher up bits. Was really wondering how much 'wastage' to allow (cupping/warping).
Will probably use it 'green' in 12 months time and then rework once completely dried out in new house[emoji3]
Exciting! Nothing beats using your own wood.

[devon TWiG]

If the tables /

benches are for outdoor use then you can only really use the heartwood ( durable ) but for indoors the sapwood can remain and give a nice contrast and save on wastage , or even go natural edged including bark if desired !!

Edited January 17, 2021 by devon TWiG

[Rough Hewn]

Go thick. (100mm)You can always resaw later.
With heavy lean comes strong tension and compression which will split or warp boards.
Put a lot of weight on top after stacking.
[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

[Bennovet]

[emoji2] thanks for replies. Dont want to mess up. Will be centre piece dining table in new (to be built) house. Only have this oak to fell.. got loads of larch, but that is for cladding the garage/workshop

[Boy]

As Hewn said Go large, this allows you to be more flexible when coming to make your bench and table top. Also allows you to change your mind when it comes to design for example if you wanted to make it look chunkier.