Working with Aromatic Red Cedar

[Michael O'Sullivan]

SWMBO has requested that I build a "cold frame" from some Popular Mechanics plans. It is basically a mini-greenhouse with a lid that automatically raises to release excess heat. I am going to use Aromatic Red Cedar to build it and was wondering if there is anything I should know, having never used ARC in a project before. Is it particularly "pitchy"? I was going to use pocket hole joinery with SS coarse-threaded screws -- any reason I shouldn't? Also, I wasn't planning to put any finish on it -- otherwise, why use ARC?

Any thoughts/advice are most welcome.

[Howard Acheson]

Just be sure that the odor and oils from ARC are not harmful to the plants. The off-gassing is aggressive enough that it can prevent the curing of oil based finishes.

[mark kosse]

IMO it is not pitchy at all. I never notice any build up. It does split easily so pre drill. I work with it everyday with no real problems. I built a landing net out of some yesterday. It's know to be toxic though.