bushwacked Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Going to make another essential oils holder for a friend. It will be going in the bathroom this time. Is there a certain wood that is good for this or is it all about the finish? I was thinking of maple but not sure what to finish with to protect from the steam of hot showers. Looks something like below.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Bamboo. Not the only possibility, but I am a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 I would think finish would be more important in a minimally invasive environment like a bathroom. Whereas wood type would be more of a concern for a piece going outdoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Bamboo has some very unique properties, but where would you find it in quantities / sizes suitable for building things like this? All I've ever seen is bamboo flooring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Bamboo would be cool but where could I easily find like 7bf of 4/4 stock ... And not spend a ton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 I agree with Coop, I think finish is more important than anything (and having every face, edge finished would be most important). Only exception in my mind would be if you use an oil finish (non film forming) as some woods can tend to turn funky colors.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Bamboo cutting boards at Big Lots would be a good source. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Ok I will check them out. What type of finish should I be looking at for this? I want the natural maple look as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 ARS or Watco. Cutting boards get mineral oil or one of many concoctions folks dream up. I use Watco's butcher block finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted April 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Ok I will stick with ARS. That will keep all the moisture out and not ruin after years in a bathroom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Ok I will stick with ARS. That will keep all the moisture out and not ruin after years in a bathroom? I think you will be fine. As long as it is not sitting in standing water, Arm R Seal should be durable enough. People don't realize how durable oil based poly really is. The humidity swings are short lived, I really don't think it is severe enough to require special consideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Z. Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 If bamboo fails, I would not go with maple. It's not very rot resistant, and I've even seen problems with it under a good finish. I would consider teak, locust, or osage orange (what color are you going for?). All three, even unfinished would last about three years longer than a rock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 If bamboo fails, I would not go with maple. It's not very rot resistant, and I've even seen problems with it under a good finish. I would consider teak, locust, or osage orange (what color are you going for?). All three, even unfinished would last about three years longer than a rock... If it were outside and subject to harsh conditions I would agree. inside a bathroom, even with intermintent humidity, anything will work. the primary causes of finish/wood failure outside are UV exposure, extreme and prolonged humidity swings, and insects (which accelerate rot). I would not anticipate those conditions in a bathroom. Plenty of bathroom cabinets, even high end, have MDF core and they survive just fine. Just make sure they keep it dry and not right next to the sink or inside the shower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 This is an object to sit on a horizontal surface. If it fails, it will be water on top or water trapped under. Feet like rubber or brass buttons and care will make any low movement choice a possibility if you are not expecting water to sit on the top. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weithman5 Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 I built our new vanity out of maple framing with baltic birch shelves. the entire thing was dyed black and then covered in several coats of varnish. have had no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Not sure the wood type matters a lot, but white oak or Purple Heart would be rot resistant and look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenaqua Posted April 17, 2015 Report Share Posted April 17, 2015 Don't they use cedar in saunas? Also, it would be a direct match with the cedar oil that is so popular with the essential oils crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 I don't know about everybody else, but at my place I would be more concerned about the more noxious fumes the come out of my bathroom. Sometimes I don't know how the paint stays on the walls. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted April 19, 2015 Report Share Posted April 19, 2015 Cedar! What would be more appropriate for something holding essential oils than something with the same property! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted April 20, 2015 Report Share Posted April 20, 2015 I trimmed out our bathroom with red oak and finished it with Helmsman spar urethane about 7 years ago and it still looks fine. Mop boards, door frame, mirror frame and linen closet are all done the same way. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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