Ash - what is it good for?

[Tom Sweeney]

That's a great looking little table you got there. Nice work & it does look like a nice substitute for Oak - I'll have to remember that.

[Paul Kunkel]

nice wood to work with

[Dan Bussiere]

Paul,
The cabinets look great! What do you do for stain/finish? I do well when it comes to building, but I usually am disappointed with the color when I stain/finish. Thanks for your help.
Dan

[Scott in Douglassville, PA]

I love ash - mills great, strong as al get-out, and looks nice. I like the smell when cutting it, too. FWIW, I'm building my workbench base from ash right now (16/4 ash is $2.50/BF here), and have a wine cabinet on the list that will also be ash.

One thing I'll say: I've noticed that ash yellows a bit with age; I've read that it's largely caused by UV. With that in mind, I tend to use thinned spar varnish as a topcoat.

Here's a train table I made for the three-year-old last year. Not a single dent yet.

[Paul Kunkel]

Originally posted by Dan Bussiere
Paul,
The cabinets look great! What do you do for stain/finish? I do well when it comes to building, but I usually am disappointed with the color when I stain/finish. Thanks for your help.
Dan

This was no stain, just a wipe on Tung oil varnish-2 coats with a 150g sand between. SMOOTH

[Mike Goodwin]

I am now convinced! I will be picking up a load of it this week. I had planned to build some free standing bookshelves with white oak, but now I will use the ash.

Thanks as always for the education!

Mike

[Jennifer@Indy.USA]

Scott that train table is very cool! What kid wouldn't go nuts over that. Looks like a perfect height and built like a tank. Nice job!

Jennifer

[Rick Balon]

I've just bought some ash for some trundle drawers, how can you tell if you have a beatle problem?

[Dan Bussiere]

Paul,
Thanks for the reply! I will make something soon and give your advise a try. I'll show you all some pics. See, this is why I love this place!
Dan

[Keith Harper]

I built our kitchen cabinets out of ash. They have been in use for nearly years without refinishing and still look great. Also, when I can get in 6/2 or thicker, I loves it for turning bowls, platters, etc.. Use it when ever you can get it.