Finishing Oak Sleepers

[1pudding1]

Hi,

Im picking up a few green oak sleepers that I'll use to create a couple of shelves and a mantelpiece. What the best way to finish them to make them look attractive?

I simple planned on sanding them until they were fairly smooth, and then perhaps oiling them, to try and get them to match my oak furniture, which is a medium rustic oak finish. Is there any recommended techniques/finishes/oils to use?

Also, does anyone know of the best fixings to use to make them floating shelves? The pieces for the shelves are 90cm x 22cm x 6.5cm.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bodgeit and scarper ltd]

You can't use green oak

 

[1pudding1]

Whys that? Due to it cracking as it dries?

 

[Norcon]

Hack it with a hatchet to give it that ole time worn look.

 

[Thermo]

used one above my fireplace, which was partly seasoned. used danish oil or togue oil on it (an remember which!) looks great

 

[ratman123]

Oil is the way to go, any film forming finish will crack as the beam dries.

But yea, green oak stuck inside could split and shrink by about 6%, get air dried.