Doug and Tom are right on, and I'd also agree that a pint of beans in 6
gallons will give you a lot of oak flavor, unless you take them out
really quickly. The oak flavors will dissapate over time, but I think
it's more of a become more subtle than a go away completely thing.
Taste often to see what you like, and remember that's it's a lot easier
to add more oak than take the flavor out once it's in there!

Rob