Help put my fears to rest!

[karmakatie]

I recently got 2 woodvils and LOVE how they feel but I am stupid scared to death to ruin them. I have never been fond of garage or safe queens so for those who use only wood mods, what do they look like after a year or so and what challenges have you had with them being a daily driver? Am I just being overly paranoid about them getting messed up or are they hardier than they look?

 

[Matthee]

Hehe, also just got my first Woodvil and looking forward to the responses to your question. No ways mine is not going to be used all day, every day - it is glued to my hand.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

They are muuuuch sturdier than they first appear. They are, in fact, the original form factor of the reo, and Rob has alway had durability in mind.

The woods Rob has chosen are all quite hard and will take most bumps and knocks in stride. The lacewood, bubinga, and coco I've run for the last 15 months look virtually brand new and I don't baby them. A few owners have outdoor, highly physical jobs and testify that the woodies hold up to their demands.

One chap even takes his 'vil into the shower with him every morning (don't judge ).

The biggest issue I've heard of in here is the door swelling with heat/humidity, making it tight to get on and off.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

I have several and they do not get babied. If I'm working on the jeeps I'll take a metal so I don't get black grease on a Woodvil but other than that no real restriction. Well one other, if I'm going to be outside in the rain or mud for any length of time then I also take a metal.

I've dropped my different Woodvils several times. How they react depends on the wood, I have a few dents, slight impressions really on the softer woods, harder woods are more likely to crack than dent. Really graining woods like black palm will also crack or splinter. All of these just add character and make them even more special IMHO.

I had a back palm door crack, probably the 10th time it dropped and this time it was just the door not the whole Reo. A little wood glue and back in service no one can tell.

Real key is keep up on the maintenance of the wood. For me this a quick wipe down with Howards Sun Shield both inside and out monthly. then every several months and no more than 6 months they get a coating of sun shield and sit over night before I wipe them off.

I like the feel of wood so only have oil finish and no poly coated Woodvils. If you have a poly coat it's very important to oil or wax the inside of the mods. If wood absorbs moisture on one side and not the other it will warp.

 

[JC Okie]

I use mine all the time....and they don't get babied one bit. I oil them up, but that's it. I take mine everywhere. I have several....from several different runs, and my older ones look just as good as the new ones. Don't be afraid to use them.

 

[vapero]

I don't own one but I made a wood mod and didn't finish it...
The wood will definitely age but it will bring character and look great
As long as you don't leave it on the sun for a long time or get it soaked you will be fine

 

[nerak]

Here are my wood REO's. They range in age from the first style/model to the last. Most were bought from others. They really do last well! And some of mine have been used a lot before I got them. Robert will always repair, upgrade, and refinish if you choose. You don't have to worry about not keeping them running. He wants every REO to ALWAYS work well!

 

[unsure]

Replace your fear with jubilation. Don't worry about it. Any damage to mine was because I tried doing something....never an accident and I have had plenty. When I was in the military they wouldn't even let me touch a tank in fear I'd break something.

 

[Kh888]

Here are my wood REO's. They range in age from the first style/model to the last. Most were bought from others. They really do last well! And some of mine have been used a lot before I got them. Robert will always repair, upgrade, and refinish if you choose. You don't have to worry about not keeping them running. He wants every REO to ALWAYS work well!

View attachment 462305

Oh my...absolutely stunning! I would be happy to share with you my birthday date, should you be looking for gift recipients!

 

[karmakatie]

Thanks for such amazing input!! I will just make myself get over it. I guess if i get a little dent or scratch here or there means it's used and loved lol. Both the woodies are oil finish and I plan to use Howards feed & wax as it is what I use on my farmhouse table and keeps it nice.

 

[Rule62]

Thanks for such amazing input!! I will just make myself get over it. I guess if i get a little dent or scratch here or there means it's used and loved lol. Both the woodies are oil finish and I plan to use Howards feed & wax as it is what I use on my farmhouse table and keeps it nice.

I get paranoid too, especially as beautiful as these Woodvils are. But when I think back, I've been vaping for over 4 years, and I have never dropped a single mod, Reo or tube. I'm pretty careful with them. But I always have at least one with me, wherever I go.

 

[B2L]

I get paranoid too, especially as beautiful as these Woodvils are. But when I think back, I've been vaping for over 4 years, and I have never dropped a single mod, Reo or tube. I'm pretty careful with them. But I always have at least one with me, wherever I go.

I don't think I've ever owned a mod I haven't dropped The worst is when I forget that it's resting on the seat between my legs when I get out of my truck

I'm dreading the day I drop the Woodvil but that hasn't kept me from carrying it with me.

 

[SteamStack]

A question I have about the poly coating? Does that wear off in a few years or yellow or discolor from the sun??

Just trying to figure out which is better in the long run oil or poly?

 

[LarryPer]

I worry about woodpeckers and termites

 

[karmakatie]

Oh god I forgot there are woodpeckers around here, another thing to watch out for!!

 

[Rule62]

Oh god I forgot there are woodpeckers around here, another thing to watch out for!!

Woodpecker damage would be minor, compared to what my African Grey parrot could do.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

Woodpecker damage would be minor, compared to what my African Grey parrot could do.

Agreed you Grey or my Blue and Gold would snap a Woodvil in half in no time and be very pleased with themselves too.

 

[Alawot]

I've come for your Woodvil!

 

[ed101z]

 

[six]

I ran my VV Woodville as my primary mod for a couple of years plus a bit. It was exposed to everything you might find on a farm and everything you might find in a machine shop and everything you might find in the forest.... dirt, axle grease, mud, .... Oh, the list would be far too long to type.

It proved plenty durable. The finish got a little rough mostly on the door and the bottom. - The solution to the finish wearing down was easy. I sent it back in to Rob who then refinished it and make it perfect like new again. That was 9 or 10 months ago... I switched my primary to an SL Grand at that time but the Woodville still gets daily use. It still looks pretty much perfect.

So, even if you do damage the finish, rest assured that your woodvilles maker can and will masterfully return them to their former glory.