Peter Bell
06-30-2009, 1:03 AM
I recently purchased a small sample piece 1-1/2 inch x 1-1/2inch by 12 inch length of Gaboon Ebony which my daughter bought back from L.A. for me.
I wanted to try to use some in some hand tools such as awls and marking knife and maybe a pen. My idea is to just use a small bit and end grain join it to some other timber just to jazz up the awl etc.
My question is because the ebony is so closely grained what is the best method of end grain joining it. I used some white PVC glue and tried to separate it as a test. it did come apart at the glue line, not tearing the ebony end which would normally happen with most other timbers where the glue is stronger then the wood.
In this case, the glue failed, mostly I suspect because the end grain is so hard that no glue could penetrate into it too far. Because when I turn the square section down in the awl to about 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch round there is not much room to put a small dowel or pin between both ends to be joined.
What attachment is recommended both for small areas and also for larger pieces if I want to make some jewelry boxes.
Peter
I wanted to try to use some in some hand tools such as awls and marking knife and maybe a pen. My idea is to just use a small bit and end grain join it to some other timber just to jazz up the awl etc.
My question is because the ebony is so closely grained what is the best method of end grain joining it. I used some white PVC glue and tried to separate it as a test. it did come apart at the glue line, not tearing the ebony end which would normally happen with most other timbers where the glue is stronger then the wood.
In this case, the glue failed, mostly I suspect because the end grain is so hard that no glue could penetrate into it too far. Because when I turn the square section down in the awl to about 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch round there is not much room to put a small dowel or pin between both ends to be joined.
What attachment is recommended both for small areas and also for larger pieces if I want to make some jewelry boxes.
Peter