Replies

1. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Apr 07, 2004 06:37am | #1

   it looks similar ,but there is a difference.the grain is more figured in ash,plus the color of it is maybe a little whiter.i once mixed oak and ash on some cabinets and it did show to me.maybe most people wouldn't have noticed but i always knew! larry

2. 
   HeavyDuty | Apr 07, 2004 06:38am | #2

   Ash instead of oak for trim does it look the same when stained?

   To me? No. But I am not picky.

   Any particular reason why you want to use ash instead of oak to achieve the look of oak? Just curious.

1. 
   jhazel3 | Apr 07, 2004 06:51am | #5

   The wood looks very similar to me and it is way cheaper and still a hardwood i already installed red oak six panel doors with a medium stain.

   Thanks for the replys keep em coming

   Jim III

1. 
   mikeys | Apr 07, 2004 07:02am | #7

   The first time I saw ash cabinets I was doing lots of oak. I thought "Thats the strangest oak I've ever seen." I wouldn't try to mix species and expect to get away with it.Smile. It could be worse. You could be me working for you.

1. 
   Piffin | Apr 07, 2004 07:18am | #8

   I think you could get away with oak doors and ash molding, or ash countertops on oak fronts, or oak floors with ash trims, but I wouldn't mix closer than that, like Ash cabinet doors on oak boxes and faces, or ash panels in Oak rails and stiles, or oak casings and ash baseboards or whatever. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Dan019 | Apr 07, 2004 02:43pm | #9

   Before you stain check it out on a piece of scrap first to be sure you will like it. Also, unless you're looking for an outrageous contrast, seal the wood with either a sealer or shellac/alcohol thinned mix (about 50/50).

   I once made an ash display cabinet for someone. It looked beautiful when it was done. The customer insisted it be stained a dark brown. It was hideous after that. Looked like a zebra, but they liked it.

   The grain is open and really sucks up the stain while the dense growth sucks up no stain. Just thought you should know. Dan019

2. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 07, 2004 04:13pm | #11

   I had the same problem with a table I made. Wanted the legs darker and used Watco walnut.

   Ended up using a gelled stain as a glaze to even it out.

   BTW, a lot of the Victorian "gold oak" furniture was actually made from ash.

3. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Apr 07, 2004 06:39am | #3

   i forgot to say my last house was done in ash trim,clear finish,no stain,it was great looking woodwork.larry

4. 
   FastEddie1 | Apr 07, 2004 06:40am | #4

   The grain of ash is closer to red oak...wide stripes...and the color is closer to white oak...tan/brown.  We had oak cabinets in our last kitchen and they were attractive.  But I don't think you could get by with mixing the wood.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

5. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Apr 07, 2004 07:01am | #6

   that surprises me that you can get ash cheaper, around here red oak is abou the cheapest wood avail.,ash  just isn't use as much so when you need it you pay for it.larry

6. 
   RobKress | Apr 07, 2004 03:59pm | #10

   You already know the answer to this question.  No, you really can't mix them with any great success.  They are different woods and they look different.  Even when stained.  I did a router cabinet for myself and had to mix in two door stiles in oak (the rest was done in ash).  I knew it would look different but I had to finish it and get working.  And it does look different.  Not even just a little.

   Either do oak or ash or mix them with the intention of showing the differences.

   Rob Kress

7. 
   Davo304 | Apr 08, 2004 08:43am | #12

   You already know the answer since everyone has said...and they are right... the 2 species don't take stain the same. Ash is cheaper than red oak in my area too. I like the looks of ash really well. I've made some swell looking picture frames with the stuff...but unless you are into the "blond wood" look, ash is no go.

   Also, anyone else ever notice this.. or just me...even though ash's grain pattern is very similar to red oak...ash is much harder to mill and machine...tough on sawblades and drill bits...red oak seems more forgiving.

   Davo