Ebony and Ivory

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johnhart

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A few years ago, I refinished an antique piano and had to get genuine ivory keytops so I bought as many as I could find to ensure good matching. After I was done, I had a pile of ivory keytops with no home....So, despite some press I've read regarding the instability of Ebony...I decided to give this a try anyway.
The Ebony behaved very well, although my skills are still lacking. I'm not terribly happy with the finish or the fit but I identified all those failings and I'll correct them on the next try. Thanks for looking!!

2005712153240_EbonyAndIvory-sm.jpg
 
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Thanks everyone...I had some trouble with squaring the pieces mainly because I forgot to rough up the ivory and my glue joints failed as I was drilling. In trying to recover, things got a little crooked. But, lessons learned...got lots more ebony and ivory. Thanks again
 
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Gary Max

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John we need to talk about your background and lighting.
These get to be a real big deal when you are talking about something as small as a pen.
Pen looks great---wonder where I can find some ivory at[:D]
 
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I agree Gary....My pictures stink. I want to build a box and get my lights done right. Tell ya what, if you help walk me through a box, I'll forget the 37 cents you owe me!
 
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Gary Max

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John it have use a couple of different things.
It real hard to follow here---heck they keep coming up with better ideals all the time.
Being slow ---I started with a white trash can---dollar store about $5.00 bucks. There is also the white foam ice cooler approach.
Right now the thing is Daylight bulbs and light tents---big bucks. But if your selling pens on the net good pics are a must have.
Not at my house since I am not selling pens online---so I do not need to spent that kind of money.
There is a photo help forum on the site--has lots of info.
Is that worth 37 cents?????????
 
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Ok Thanks Gary..You're off the hook...the envelope's in the mail. My wife bought me 2 large white oblong buckets to do my alcohol soaks with and I only need one for that. I'll direct some lights at it and see what I come up with. We'll see on the next pen.
 
Rifleman1776

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Originally posted by Gary Max
<br />John we need to talk about your background and lighting.
These get to be a real big deal when you are talking about something as small as a pen.
Pen looks great---wonder where I can find some ivory at[:D]
Click to expand...

Internet searches will bring up legitmate dealers, not a lot but there are some. They sell legal 'estate ivory' that has been in the country since before the ban went on for exporting from Africa. I once had a notion to make a duck call from ivory. A hunk the proper size would have cost about $800.00. And it is reputed to be brittle, meaning that $800.00 could explode off the lathe. Consider Alaskan ivory, mammoth fossil, whale teeth and the like. Still expensive but still less money than the real stuff.
 
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johnhart

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Michael Wine was kind enough to remove some of that dingy yukky pukey yellow color that was in my pic. Now it looks like the real thing!! Thanks Michael!!
 
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