My quick intro

[Krusty]

Hi Yurtman

I am not a fan of the wipe on oils for outdoor things at all. There is a great book on wood finishing by Bob Flexner and is considered the bible. Varnish will be quite fine for my needs. Actually the only time I would consider an oil is on cherry, but would still put something else overtop it once cured.

As for the ring, first rendition will be a simple pine glueup as I have yurt camping with my kids early june so the pressure is on. Its been a decade since I used my router table and have no idea where it is for the rafter ends. Router is easy to find. For the tenon end I plan to stick the tenon cutter in a big arse lathe but need to whip up a quick platform to hold the rafter piece on for uniformity.

Come this winter, which generally sucks in canada, i will try some steam bending forsure with ash. Should have no problems getting a 36" diameter steam bend out of 1/2" thick ash. Driving home from grocs I thought it would be fun to do a dovetail joint where the 2 ends come together in the ring. Would not be laminated but a single piece brought together at the ends. Dovetails would be plenty strong to keep it together. Tomorrow I will search for the router table!