[SEL] Oak wood for carts

[Dave Rotigel]

At 11:07 AM 6/23/2005, you wrote:
>Guys,
>I am having a little trouble finding oak lumber to make the carts rails 
>for the Baker Monitor project we are working on. I am looking for oak that 
>is dried/cured that will finish to 3 1/2" wide x 5" tall x 48" long. Will 
>need two rails. I have called all the lumber yards in the area with no luck.
>A lot of you use heavy oak timbers on your carts and I am wondering where 
>you find your wood. Dave Rotigel has some huge timbers under most of his 
>engines. Your source?
>I appreciate your suggestions.
>Does any of you have wood this size for sale?
>Curt Holland

Hi Curt,
         This size of oak would have to be a special order and would take 
at least 3 months to kiln dry properly. An alternative is to have it cut 
and dried for about three weeks (turning it once a day and covering it if 
it rains) and then plane it to finish size, sand it and put 5 coats of 
polyurethane varnish on it (in five days) and then mount the engine on it. 
The engine will then keep the wood from twisting as it finishes the curing 
process.
         What you need is a friend with a saw mill. My source is either 
Anders Johnson ( 1/2 mile from my house--Anders milled the 12'X12" Oak for 
Tillie) or Ed Miller (5 miles from my house.) I'll be glad to place the 
order for you, but we need to figure out a way to get the timbers to you in 
a timely way after it is taken off the stump and sawed/plained.
         Dave
PS, Please don't ask me to fine out the cost. I would not insult either men 
by asking for a price prior to picking up the order. I can tell you that 
neither Anders or Ed would cheat you!
PPS, I can tell you that I picked up 6 pieces of 5/4 oak boards today-- 7" 
X 8' and paid Ed a total of $35.00 for it!