Kathy Marshall
05-20-2013, 12:04 AM
I was able to get the chainsaw running today and got one of my acacia logs cut up. The log was long enough to get 4 bowl blanks and I was left with a slice of the log that was about 4" thick. I was trying to decide if the slice was worth saving for some small turnings, or wether to just throw it on the scrap pile, when I had the idea to use it for an endgrain bowl.
After turning and sanding the outside, I applied some vinegar and steel wool ebonizing solution. The heartwood went black immediately, but the sapwood wasn't darkening enough. I found that dragging the brush from the heartwood to the sapwood would move some of the tannins from the heartwood to the sapwood. I wasn't looking for the sapwood to turn black, just wanted to get something interesting.
Since this was an endgrain bowl, I didn't want to leave the walls thick, so I opted to do the carving on the outside below the rim. That also gave it some contrast to the ebonized sides.
It's 3" x 8" finished with antique oil. If it survives the drying, then I'll give it another coat or two and buff.
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Thanks for looking!
Comments and critiques are welcome.
After turning and sanding the outside, I applied some vinegar and steel wool ebonizing solution. The heartwood went black immediately, but the sapwood wasn't darkening enough. I found that dragging the brush from the heartwood to the sapwood would move some of the tannins from the heartwood to the sapwood. I wasn't looking for the sapwood to turn black, just wanted to get something interesting.
Since this was an endgrain bowl, I didn't want to leave the walls thick, so I opted to do the carving on the outside below the rim. That also gave it some contrast to the ebonized sides.
It's 3" x 8" finished with antique oil. If it survives the drying, then I'll give it another coat or two and buff.
262625262623
262626262624262627
Thanks for looking!
Comments and critiques are welcome.