Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Ranch Oak chairs need help

Hi everyone!

I don't know what Ranch Oak is or if this is even it, but all I know is that the wood is hard as I've ever seen and it's heavy as all get out. I have two of them. One is a regular chair and the other is a rocking chair. I bought them from a guy for $25 (for both). I have to show you pictures before you'll know how to answer the questions. They can be see here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12862458@N06/

The seat cushions are gross and I plan on getting new foam and upholstering them but I'll post those question in the appropriate section.
My questions for the experts here are:

1. Do you know what kind of wood this is?

2. With the spring being broken on one chair and totally removed on the second. What course of action would you take to create a new base? New springs or make a plywood base? If you choose springs, what kind should I use? I don't want to use the same as the originals because that obviously didn't work out too well.

3. The finish - Would you sand this piece down all over or use a chemical stripper? I was thinking of sanding it since the chairs both have chipped/gashed areas that need smoothing out.

4. If you can identify the wood, what is the best stain to use on it? Should I use a wood conditioner even if it isn't soft wood?

Thanks for your help!

Cassie

Cassie30, I copied and pasted your url into google and it goes nowhere. Went to Flickr.com and pasted in their search bar. Flickr's search could not find photo? They give up! Am I missing something here?

How am I gonna see this hard ol' wood new purchase of yours...huh?

Huh..I just copied and pasted it into my browser and the pictures came up just fine. Will you try again?

You need to paste it into your browser, not google. I tried it in Google and it didn't work either.

Cassie, I just tried again with Google. Could not find photo. I also pasted into my home page, MSN.com's search bar and no match found. This is odd. Flickr is hosting these photos for you at the above address. Why isn't this link taking me there? Even odder. I go direct to Flickr.com start page and pasted in their search bar and there are no matches found?

Just received your 'do not use google' message.

What browser are you using? I use Internet Explorer with MSN home page.

Cassie, I found your pics by using Yahoo's start page search bar. Whom ever owns Flickr.com...well Google sure doesn't like them! ha!

Gosh, that is quite a chair frame. And very sturdy wood. It certainly looks to be true oak wood. You will have something when that is complete. Good Luck.

Thanks for identifying the wood.

Can anyone answer the rest of the questions so I can actually get the project started? Make sure you paste the link with the pictures directly into the URL box.

Thanks for your help!

I haven't had a reply from any experts on posting titled "Ranch Oak chairs need help!" (9-9-07) Is there any reason? Please let me know, because I need to get started.

Thanks!

I looked at your pictures, and cant pretend to be an expert on identifying woods, but the chair sure looks like Pine to me.

Thanks,

I guess I'll just figure it out on my own.:wall: