Re: Laminating differing species of wood question?
TomD
The key point is what do you expect in the way of seasonal, or relocation related, changes in humidity? If you live in a area where changes are gradual and mild that is one thing. Also well air conditioned spaces may be beneficial. But if you expect large changes, that could be a problem.
So some of the oaks are polar opposites in tangential shrinkage that walnut is. But some of them are really close. Walnut is 7.8, the red Oaks run 8-11, and poplar is in the 8 area.
I like to coat the ends with boat epoxy when I have have a structure I worry about. For instance, I use that trick instead of breadboards. Done properly it looks like either varnish or oil. But in something like side rails it would be hidden. The epoxy just soaks in, but you stop the gain and loss through the ends.
If you find an oak you want to use, you can give it the rusty water/vinegar treatment and it turns black, which will make it blend in with the walnut, since it will be on the back side anyway. This was done by a guy I suggested it to over the internet. He had this dull piece of red oak, and had never used the vinegaroon process before, turned out OK.
