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Main => Woodworking => Topic started by: leapinlew on October 08, 2007, 03:57:12 pm

Title: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: leapinlew on October 08, 2007, 03:57:12 pm

I'm looking for a vanity for my wife. I haven't seen this in person yet, but they say it's solid oak. I think they are saying this because it's heavy.

Can you tell from pictures if this is solid? I think it would look decent if I refinished it. It looks like it would be an easy piece to clean up.

Title: Re: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: Kaytrim on October 08, 2007, 04:10:59 pm

My guess is no.  Oak is hard to bend and those draw fronts are curved.  It is more likely a vernier.  I zoomed into the pic and I could see a fine line just next to the front face of that draw front.

TTFN

Title: Re: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: ScottS on October 09, 2007, 05:37:12 pm

Quote from: Kaytrim on October 08, 2007, 04:10:59 pm

Oak is hard to bend and those draw fronts are curved.

Any guy with a bandsaw could machine those drawer fronts from a piece of 8/4 oak. From the pictures, I don't think there's any way to tell for sure what the construction is... I certainly wouldn't want to bet money on it!

Title: Re: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: leapinlew on October 09, 2007, 06:54:49 pm

Thanks guys...

It's difficult to buy furniture nowadays that isn't veneered MDF ain't it?

Title: Re: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: patrickl on October 10, 2007, 07:35:47 am

The drawer fronts looks like veneered MDF (would be hard/expensive to do in solid oak), but it might very well be that the rest is solid oak.

If you want solid wood furniture go to an expensive furniture store. Although even there I think they will use cheaper wood (or ply) for the not visible parts (I drawer body, frame, back etc).

Title: Re: Is this Solid Oak?
Post by: ChadTower on October 10, 2007, 09:14:03 am

Quote from: patrickl on October 10, 2007, 07:35:47 am

The drawer fronts looks like veneered MDF (would be hard/expensive to do in solid oak), but it might very well be that the rest is solid oak.

That's my opinion too.  Especially if it's really heavy.  Or it could be layered thin oak bent over a form.