Amboyona Burl Question

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

Sprung

Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
773
Location
NE WI
A good way to try it and see how it looks would be to, once you've just got the blank rounded and well before it's at final diameter, is to sand it up like you would when finishing the blank and then experiment with finishes. Easy to shave a little off to get to fresh wood and then experiment with something different - and can be done at least a few times before getting to finished diameter. Once you've determined what finish you like or are done with your test, turn to size and go through everything as you would then.
 

robutacion

Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2009
Messages
6,514
Location
Australia - SA Adelaide Hills
What would happen to Amboyona Burl if you put on BLO?

In my view, Amboyna being an oily wood, BLO will go well on it, linseed oil is an oily finish that can be burnished well into the timber, the secret is to b\give it multiple coats but allow the wood to soak it in/dry before adding the next coat, burnishing should only be done when you are done with the coats and the wood is dry to touch...!

Good luck.

Cheers
George
 

lyonsacc

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Messages
1,615
Location
Cincinnati, OH
You guys are giving serious answers. I kind of expect this to be a joke from Ed.
I spent 5 or 10 minutes yesterday trying to figure out a play on the words . . .
 

KenV

Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2005
Messages
4,720
Location
Juneau, Alaska.
There is a hook somewhere in there, but i have wiped walnut oil utility finish on small turnings of amboyna and it works fine. Looks and feels like a soft oiled turned object.

No shine or bling, but it works.
 

leehljp

Member Liaison
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
9,314
Location
Tunica, Mississippi,
Ed,

I have several pieces of Amboyna burl and have used 4 finishes on them. Lacquer, CA, BLO, urethane.

BLO will not hurt the wood but it does change the color. Having said that, It "seems" like I have seen some very clear BLO, but I have not used it. The BLO I used was somewhat amber in color. And that is the problem I have with it. I love the natural brilliant reds/orangish colors in Amboyna. But slightly amber urethane and BLO (and other amber-ish toned finishes) tint the colors just a tad.

My wife says I am way too sensitive to slight color variations, BUT, amber colored finishes change the reddish/orangish colors of wood to a more burnt color, or change the hue/tint/tone? or what ever into a very slight less appealing color. If seen by itself, one may not notice but when the color of an amberish finish is compared to a piece of out of the same amboyna burl or other red wood with a CLEAR finish such as water based clear urethane, or clear lacquer or CA, there will be a noticeable tint? difference. The water clear finish "usually" shows up reddish colors better.

Amber colored finishes do excellent on tan/beige/brown woods. I especially dislike amber colored finishes on red heart and blood wood as it changes the brilliance of the color.

Other people may have different tastes and like the color that an ambered finish gives. In some cases an amber urethane or BLO might make bloodwood turn from a bright red to a slight burnt red/orange which will match a school color, at which point, it is worth using. I use holly often too. Ambered finishes as opposed to very clear water like finishes will cause holly to look like ivory, which in some cases may be desirable and in others not desirable as the "whiteness" is lost.

One more thing, I use 5000k lighting over my lathe. 4000k lighting does not show up the differences in tones as much as the 5000k lights. 5000k is more like outside and it is easier to distinguish the tint shifts or hue or tone shifts. Noticing this aspect makes pens more appealing.
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom