Ebony Cracking problem

[Skie_M]

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]

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]

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]

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]

^ 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.

[websterko]

hey everyone am dealing with same problem ... only stabilization cover it :) but crazy is that just black ebony is cracking because two colour one is normal without any problem


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[PatrickR]

I’m glad you brought this back up. I think Tom Walter was fishing for new members for the FB group. I want the info but not that bad.
I have not had this problem with ebony. Think it’s mostly from unseasoned wood. It’s cut, dipped in wax. And sold green. Could take a long time to dry even for a small piece. I have stabilized several types of ebony, no problem. You won’t add much weight in the process. Mainly because it’s so dense to begin with.
Only tried one piece of snake wood. It stabilized fine but cracked while drilling. Still useable though. I’m going to get more and try boiling it first.


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[its_virgil]

Something mystical about using ebony. Seems it is a favorite to new pen turners because of the mystique. But, there are too many other woods to use that do not crack to use ebony, for me at least. I too use African Blackwood when I need a black wood. It is an excellent alternative. Zebrawood also seems to be a favorite of new penturners. But, it too has its problems and drawbacks as does purpleheart. There is a process of ebonizing lighter woods to make them black. You can probably find lots of info using google.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

[PenPal]

Have had so many varied experiences buying true ebony that has cracked in all phases of penmaking I share your grief. On the other hand I have never seen a cracked piece on the thin shims used on old pianos or the great variety of musical instruments. Like all timbers there is a grading system that to me indicates a reason for this. Unfortunately jet black is regarded as worthy of gold prices.

So many times I have cut Ebony and found miriad small cracks in the resulting pen blanks.

To overcome this I have resorted to as Don suggests using African Blackwood.

A recent pen made using Irish Bog Oak pic enclosed yielded a magnificent pen imho.

There are two examples of cracking timbers for me African Ebony and Snakewood. The comment that Ebony so often is not completely dry adds to the chances of cracking.

Peter.