Square Oak Box for Aging?

Woody_Woodchuck · Post by **Woody_Woodchuck** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:19 am

Forgot to add, these weren’t huge containers. Maybe 12” x12” max outside, some a little smaller some a bit larger, 2 to 5 gallons. Go to a pet store and look at 5 gallon aquariums for size comparison. I suppose it could work for something larger but you’d need to use strapping of some kind to hold the seams together. I never had any spread over time but it was a worry that it could happen.

MikeyT · Post by **MikeyT** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:32 am

arkansas wrote:One little bit of info on the drill out the log idea, won't work as previously mentioned grain is all wrong and the chance for cracking and split is very high. MikeyT, you hit on a very good idea in my opinion except for the flat sawn boards for the top and bottom, quart sawn boards from the white oak family are about the only speices that do what you are looking for with out imparting unwanted falvors, that I am aware of. Just my 2 cents, with countless hours sawning staves and barrel heading.

If you use quarter sawn boards for the ends, then the expansion across the grain when they get wet will warp the joints in the sides (making it oval instead of circular). However, you could compensate for this expansion by soaking the ends before cutting them to shape then letting them dry before assembly.

From kiln dry to soping wet, a 12" wide White Oak board will expand about 5/8" across the grain. Expansion Coefficient = 0.00365. Expansion along the grain is nil.

Cruiser · Post by **Cruiser** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:19 pm

Hey Woody, that sounds very impressive.

Any chance of putting up some photos???

Cruiser.

Woody_Woodchuck · Post by **Woody_Woodchuck** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:38 am

Sorry, no pictures. I made these in my first life, years ago, when I lived in northeast Pennsyltucky. If you have good woodworking sight and some basic tools it wouldn’t be too hard to put one together. I might try again after I refurbish the old/new pot and settle on a recipe.

Speaking of the pot, it's time I put together a sad story of resurection and post it. Give me a couple days. - Woody

Ricky · Post by **Ricky** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:30 pm

thanks to all of you for your post and suggestions. woody i was glad to here of you using brass screws. somebody mentioned to me today that stainless screws might work and i said ummmm. stainless and treated brass are safe for a still so maybe safe for a box. i knew people had built boxes but your post was quite helpful. thanks!