Posted by chriscase on Sunday, December 03, 2006 at 7:56PM :
In Reply to: Bed finish question posted by Kaegi on Sunday, December 03, 2006 at 6:02PM :
Here in Californy, oak costs more. But aren't you in Oak Country? Or maybe walnut? Or are you talking construction grade of fir? Dried stuff is pricey here, but green will shrink about 15%. Then it will expand again when wet.
If I were looking for a temporary material, I'd use Medex. It's a waterproof harder, fiberboard. It's MDF with Phenolic glue. Sort of pinkish. I use a 5x10 cut to fit my daily driver, as a bed liner. Last one, unfinished, lasted 15 years, of loading furniture and machinery. You could cut it into planks and rabbet it, use it as a direct replacement for the oak. Costs about $50?
Here in So. Cal, the trucks use Apitong. Looks like Philipine Mahogany, but lots harder, And it has minerals built up in it- Cat tracks actually make sparks when they load.
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