[hovinga]

can any one tell me if thay have tryed to power carve in live oak i have been asked if i wood like some but i have never tryed it before i know it has large grain? can you give me any more info? thank you karl hovinga

[telecarver]

I have power carved live oak. It's carves very well if it's dry. It's difficult to dry without checking. Hardwood milling folks don't mill it thicker than 4/4 because of it's instability.

[hovinga]

thank you for the info i was wondering if anyone had a ansure for me i am going to get some but i will have to let it dry for a wile
dose it have large grain like most hard woods ?

[telecarver]

The grain width is dependent on the growing conditions but it does grow fast so the growth rings tend to be wide. I haven't found this to be a problem with carving but it adds to the instability. There are many kinds of live oak and the different species may act differently. I have carved California Interior Live Oak and Canyon Live Oak. I'm not familiar with some of the other live oak species from other parts of the country.

[telecarver]

Seal the ends well for drying and allow for a substantial amount of waste at the ends of the board due to checking and a little extra thickness for warping. Weight the boards to try to keep them stable. Be sure to mill it while the wood is still green. Don't try to leave it in the logs unless you plan on carving very small pieces. Keep an eye out for wood attacking insects.

[Alice in Wonderland]

When you talk about live oak is it still standing?;:-)))) Sorry for my ignorance
I have not heard it called like this when it has been cut?
I have carved oak often small or large ,this is the Northern Oak red or others, Powertools work perfect and green or dry I have not had any problems. Since I am doing mostly abstract sculptures different grains have not bothered me I just work with it.
I hope this helps
Alice

[hovinga]

thank you for all the good info
i live in va. and i am getting the live oak from florida does any one have any idea how long i should let it dry for ( i do not have a mosture tester ) thank you i plan on having it cut into 2 1/2" thick boards thank you

[Jim-Iowa]

Originally Posted by Alice in Wonderland

When you talk about live oak is it still standing?;:-)))) Sorry for my ignorance
I have not heard it called like this when it has been cut?
I have carved oak often small or large ,this is the Northern Oak red or others, Powertools work perfect and green or dry I have not had any problems. Since I am doing mostly abstract sculptures different grains have not bothered me I just work with it.
I hope this helps
Alice

Alice: I am assuming they are speaking of a specific variety of oak common in the southern States. Probably thr most famous live oak is on the grounds of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas Supose to have been a sapling during the Seige.
Here's a link to more info.Live oak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[hovinga]

jim. thank you for the link! it is very good info i am looking forward to carving something out of the wood

[telecarver]

Originally Posted by Alice in Wonderland

When you talk about live oak is it still standing?;:-)))) Sorry for my ignorance
I have not heard it called like this when it has been cut?
I have carved oak often small or large ,this is the Northern Oak red or others, Powertools work perfect and green or dry I have not had any problems. Since I am doing mostly abstract sculptures different grains have not bothered me I just work with it.
I hope this helps
Alice

Live oak means that it is not deciduous. It is still a live oak species after it's been cut. There are oaks in the warmer climates that don't lose their leaves in winter. Here in California there also is a cross between Black oak and live oak called Oracle Oak that loses some of it's leaves but not all.