Hello, folks. Sorry for the long-winded first post, but it's a long and painful story. There are a lot of "could've / should've" comments to be made here, but this is the situation I'm in…
Purchased enough 16/4 kiln dried (supposedly) clear and kiln-dried oak for the purpose of making a replacement window frame for our ca.1773 house. Material was purchased rough, milled and finished to size, and then mortise & tennoned to make the frame. During the milling process, I noticed a good bit of woodworm damage (powder post beetle?), and I arranged the milling of the various components such that it would be hidden back inside the wall when complete.
However, I was not able to hide all of the damage, and so exposed areas do have many smaller worm holes. All holes (in both the extensive and lightly damaged areas) are currently filled with what I assume to be the feces of whatever bug was formerly present.
I also assumed there was no active infestation, but while trying to research what to fill these tunnels with, I found several bits of information cautioning me that this is not a safe assumption. My wife found a product called Bora Care, with which she is suggesting I paint the timbers, which will obviously delay my install another week! Her reasoning is a few statements we've read, stating that sometimes kiln drying does not kill all, and that infestation often happens at the dealer after kiln-drying.
Questions:
1. Is it normal to see this damage in clear oak? Should I expect any recourse with the lumber dealer? I know of only one dealer in my area who sells kiln-dried oak in 16/4, so I'm sort of relying on these guys.
2. Should I delay the project long enough to treat the lumber?
3. What to do about the powder-filled holes? Must I gouge them clean and fill, simply prime over them, what?
Thank you!
Overall frame construction:
Construction detail (prior to draw-boring):
Light damage on exposed part of sill:
Heavy damage on portion of stile to be hidden inside wall:
Purchased enough 16/4 kiln dried (supposedly) clear and kiln-dried oak for the purpose of making a replacement window frame for our ca.1773 house. Material was purchased rough, milled and finished to size, and then mortise & tennoned to make the frame. During the milling process, I noticed a good bit of woodworm damage (powder post beetle?), and I arranged the milling of the various components such that it would be hidden back inside the wall when complete.
However, I was not able to hide all of the damage, and so exposed areas do have many smaller worm holes. All holes (in both the extensive and lightly damaged areas) are currently filled with what I assume to be the feces of whatever bug was formerly present.
I also assumed there was no active infestation, but while trying to research what to fill these tunnels with, I found several bits of information cautioning me that this is not a safe assumption. My wife found a product called Bora Care, with which she is suggesting I paint the timbers, which will obviously delay my install another week! Her reasoning is a few statements we've read, stating that sometimes kiln drying does not kill all, and that infestation often happens at the dealer after kiln-drying.
Questions:
1. Is it normal to see this damage in clear oak? Should I expect any recourse with the lumber dealer? I know of only one dealer in my area who sells kiln-dried oak in 16/4, so I'm sort of relying on these guys.
2. Should I delay the project long enough to treat the lumber?
3. What to do about the powder-filled holes? Must I gouge them clean and fill, simply prime over them, what?
Thank you!
Overall frame construction:
Construction detail (prior to draw-boring):
Light damage on exposed part of sill:
Heavy damage on portion of stile to be hidden inside wall: