Ebony Cracking problem - Page 2

Skie_M · 02-02-2017, 09:12 PM

Hmmm .... in my experience, the Gabon Ebony I have on hand sometimes has a light touch of green streaking through it, but not the golden brown that I've seen in Massaccar Ebony.

Still, the two are very much alike in density and handling.

I haven't yet gotten my hands on "white ebony" ... Persimmon.

Tom Walter · 08-11-2017, 03:29 PM

I use a lot of Gaboon Ebony and Snakewood. I boil my blanks for a few hours then dry them to 8-10% MC. I then bake them at 220* for 24 hours until they stop losing weight. Put in zip lock bags and seal to completely cool. Stabilize immediately. I have only had one Snakewood crack and never an ebony crack so e I started this process many years ago. The is a tutorial in the files section of the Wood Stabilizing group in FB.

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PatrickR · 08-11-2017, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Walter

I use a lot of Gaboon Ebony and Snakewood. I boil my blanks for a few hours then dry them to 8-10% MC. I then bake them at 220* for 24 hours until they stop losing weight. Put in zip lock bags and seal to completely cool. Stabilize immediately. I have only had one Snakewood crack and never an ebony crack so e I started this process many years ago. The is a tutorial in the files section of the Wood Stabilizing group in FB.

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Interesting, what is the reason to boil the wood?

magpens · 08-11-2017, 11:59 PM

If you want a jet black pen use acrylic. . Since you already have experience with acrylics you shouldn't have any trouble.

I said "acrylic" but I use that term in a generic (and inaccurate) sense.

My first recommendation, actually, would be to use a black Alumilite pen blank ... I believe you can get this from ExoticBlanks.com ... look in the Guest Artist - MasterScroller section of their website.

Alumilite is possibly the most turner-friendly material for pen makers.

PatrickR · 08-12-2017, 10:26 AM

^ interested in the process, how it works, why it works.
I've stayed away from snake wood. This sounds like there isn't a reason not to use it.

02-02-2017, 09:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Skie_M Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lawton, Ok Posts: 2,652 Photos: 7	Hmmm .... in my experience, the Gabon Ebony I have on hand sometimes has a light touch of green streaking through it, but not the golden brown that I've seen in Massaccar Ebony. Still, the two are very much alike in density and handling. I haven't yet gotten my hands on "white ebony" ... Persimmon. __________________ Click Here to go to Pen Turner's Anonymous Meeting Attendance is not mandatory, unless you're addicted to turning pens.

08-11-2017, 11:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
magpens Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coquitlam, BC, Canada Photos: 60	If you want a jet black pen use acrylic. . Since you already have experience with acrylics you shouldn't have any trouble. I said "acrylic" but I use that term in a generic (and inaccurate) sense. My first recommendation, actually, would be to use a black Alumilite pen blank ... I believe you can get this from ExoticBlanks.com ... look in the Guest Artist - MasterScroller section of their website. Alumilite is possibly the most turner-friendly material for pen makers. __________________ Mal Kids rule the world !!! .... eventually if not already ! Last edited by magpens; 08-12-2017 at 12:04 AM.

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08-11-2017, 03:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tom Walter Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Central East Florida Posts: 14 Photos: 0	I use a lot of Gaboon Ebony and Snakewood. I boil my blanks for a few hours then dry them to 8-10% MC. I then bake them at 220* for 24 hours until they stop losing weight. Put in zip lock bags and seal to completely cool. Stabilize immediately. I have only had one Snakewood crack and never an ebony crack so e I started this process many years ago. The is a tutorial in the files section of the Wood Stabilizing group in FB. Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app

08-12-2017, 10:26 AM	#15 (permalink)
PatrickR Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Indiana Posts: 317 Photos: 0	^ interested in the process, how it works, why it works. I've stayed away from snake wood. This sounds like there isn't a reason not to use it.

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