Responding to questions about wooden sundials: In 1993 I built my first dials out of teak, mahogony and oak, trying various protective enamels, varnishes, and oils. They have been baking in our hot Arizona sun , experiencing huge day/night temperature differences, and the teak and mahogony with oil are holding up well. The oak has begun splitting and all of the paints and varnishes are cracking and peeling.
By 1996 I finally gave up on wood and switched to stone. If you insist on using wood then you might consider an equatorial sundial as the edge instead of the face is exposed to the direct rays of the sun. Good luck (you'll need it)!, John Carmichael
