How to tell white oak from red????

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by Porkchunker, Jun 5, 2006.

  1. Porkchunker
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Porkchunker Porkchunker

    I'm in the process of refinishing a wooden boat my father built back in 1958. There are some gunwhale pieces I want to replace, but Dad can't remember if he use white or red oak. Pieces are currently stained to match the mahogany and varnished.

    How can I tell which variety I have?
     
  2. Hunter25
    Joined: Mar 2006
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    Hunter25 Senior Member

    Cut a skinny piece of the rail off, maybe 1/4" square by 6" long and stick it in a glass of water, so the bottom is submerged an inch or so. Then blow into it like a soda straw. If you see bubbles come out the end, it is red oak, if not it is something else. Red oak rots very quickly if it is allowed to get wet then dry repeatedly. White oak is the lumber of choice. Red is a poor, weaker cousin, that does not live long on the water.
     
  3. SeaSpark
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    SeaSpark -

  4. nero
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    nero Senior Member

    Remove the gunwhale pieces that you want to replace. Rip, sand, plane it to get to the untouched wood below. Red oak has a red tint to it. White oak is white.
     
  5. SeaSpark
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    SeaSpark -

    Color

    From the forum i mentioned above:

     
  6. Porkchunker
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    Porkchunker Porkchunker

    I figured color alone wouldn't separate the two. I was hoping for something about the grain.

    At this point, it might be better to strip the old pieces off. But, I believe he glued them with resourcinal before screwing with galvinized screws. I believe I can get the screws out with a little heat and an impact driver. Not sure the resourcinal will give way though.

    I was thinking of stripping the varnish and stain off of it, and placing a 3/32" or 1/4" veneer over the top.

    Porkchunker
     
  7. DGreenwood
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    DGreenwood Senior Member

    I would think that if the oak was put there in 1958 and it is not totally rotten, then it must be white oak. Red usually doesn't last that long before it rots.
    I am sure he would have been advised to use White back then.
     

  8. pashbe1
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    pashbe1 Junior Member

    white oak

    Use white oak regardless. It might be more expensive but will be better all round.
     
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