Thread: Ebonizing Wood

A guy at work just tipped me off to this for a black stain. Has anyone tried anything like this (especially the steel wool and vinegar part)?

Personally, I was just going to use a black Sharpie for my next scale project.

WoodWorkWeb - Free Woodwork Plans - Ebonizing Wood

Mark

The vinegar/rust thing works well for darkening woods that have a lot of tannic acid in them like oak and mahogany. The process darkens the wood but does not make it black.

India ink and black shoe dye that comes with the sponge applicator will make wood black and are easy to obtain.

Aniline dyes are a misnomer, they are not made any more but the name has stuck around. True aniline dyes are poisonous and many are not very light fast. Most modern wood dyes are very effective and fade resistant.


Charlie

The best ebonizing I have accomplished has been through scorching and burnishing

I understand trying to get the most out of wood, and count me onboard..... But this in the 1x1x12 size,,,
African Blackwood lumber, turning wood, hobby wood and instrument wood. - Bell Forest Products

makes 3 sets of scales easily, and is heavy, dense, tight grained, real honest to God ebony... and at that price?????

Originally Posted by kevint

The best ebonizing I have accomplished has been through scorching and burnishing

The propane torch is my friend, you can achieve some very interesting textures on wood with a torch and heavy wire brushing.

A wire bush by it self is also good for adding some texture to wood.

Burnishing works great, especially on wax and oil finishes. Those Asian wok scrubbers cut down to about one inch below the last tie work wonders for burnishing.

Sorry for off topic talk

Charlie

Originally Posted by spazola

The propane torch is my friend, you can achieve some very interesting textures on wood with a torch and heavy wire brushing.

A wire bush by it self is also good for adding some texture to wood.

Burnishing works great, especially on wax and oil finishes. Those Asian wok scrubbers cut down to about one inch below the last tie work wonders for burnishing.

Sorry for off topic talk

Charlie

you are 100% correct

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I understand trying to get the most out of wood, and count me onboard..... But this in the 1x1x12 size,,,
African Blackwood lumber, turning wood, hobby wood and instrument wood. - Bell Forest Products

makes 3 sets of scales easily, and is heavy, dense, tight grained, real honest to God ebony... and at that price?????

They have it in Woodcraft, too. A few days ago, I handpicked a nice 1x1x12 turning blank with a nice streak of white sapwood. It should make a nice pair of scales.

Thanks for the input.

Mark

Most wood shops are more than willing to go the extra mile. Just go to one and ask them if they would re-saw a block of turning stock into 1/8 inch slabs for a project. You will have to sand out the mill marks form the bandsaw but a 8” belt stand sander knocks them out real fast. Most all my scales are re-sawn from board or turning stock. There is always the basswood and black stain option although basswood will not have the feel ebony or blackwood has. But you can usually get it in 1/8 inch scroll saw slabs at most wood shops.