My client is the General Contractor; he did not pass on the expectations of checking in large Oak beams to the Owner. The beams where RFV dried, our joinery is tight and looks great. The Beams exceeded my own expectations, however the owner feels as though he is being taken, and that we supplied inferior quality timber. He says there is excessive checking.
I need to meet with the owner and re-establish the expectation of Oak timber.
Please if you have any photos of Oak beams with checks, and photos of joinery that is open due to shrinkage, please share your carnage.

Thanks

Leif Calvin

Red oak?

Yes, we used red oak, White Oak cannot be dried in an RF Kiln.
Cheers

Just checking...
I'm assuming it was dried @ Salamanca? They are up and running again? Edit - I see you are on the west coast... so probably FraserWood?

Might want to contact one of the better engineering groups that have worked with RF dried material and have them make a site visit to assure the GC and the owner that there is nothing structurally wrong...

As for convincing someone after the fact that they are getting a premium product... not sure how to do that.

I've usually sent samples / photos / etc. of the ugliest stuff we have on hand and show the potential. We also change the warranty whenever working with Oak, green or dried.


Can you post some images of the frame / work?

Hello,

Here are some pictures of mine of oak timbers with cracks in there. The pictures do come out kind of small though, don't they. Maybe these can help out with your tutorial.

right click>view image
should make em a bit bigger...