Chisel rack....install it bark side up or down

[Dumb_Polack]

DAMHIKT but cherry with bark is bug attracting.

It's (the piece of wood before I made my chisel holder) been in the shop for 2+ years now and nary a sign of a bug!

[Handplanesandmore]

Bark side down is rustic too (just a little less) as it's bark. I'd vote for the down side.

Simon

[Bob10]

I was futzing around in the shop Sunday and I made this chisel rack.  (Everyone likes the exposed bark look these days to I figger, "What the heck".)

It will sit to the right of my benchtop and I initially planned on installing it bark side down, but then you really can't see the bark unless you squat down, and I'm getting to the age when a squat could mean an impromptu trip to the can!!! 


Bark side up shows off the bark (duh!!!) but the "shelf"  (not the correct word, but you get the gist) isn't as wide.  But I doubt I'd ever use it.


What's the consensus??

If it's on the wall currently that's the way I like it, up or down makes no difference

[MauleSkinner]

Bark side down makes it look slimmer.
(lighter, less thick, whatever.)

[2beast]

Bark side down
I’m forever fighting fine dust in my shop even using dust collectors etc
It will be hard to keep clean

[TGW]

I have no idea about your local timber and your local bugs but around here all coniferous bark and most broadleaf bark must be removed or the bugs will do it free of charge.

[jteneyck]

I have no idea about your local timber and your local bugs but around here all coniferous bark and most broadleaf bark must be removed or the bugs will do it free of charge.

That will happen up here in WNY, too, if you leave it to air dry.  But trees cut in the winter, then milled and dried in a kiln before it gets infected with bugs most often will retain the bark.  Logs cut in the summer usually will lose the bark no matter how you mill/dry it.  

John