Shopsmith Forums

Left to right: Walnut, Poplar, Maple.
Untreated on the left of each treated sample.
Crappy camera. The poplar's untreated piece didn't show it's contrast between the light and dark. But, there is quite a contrast.
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Tea is a ready source of tannic acid, but QUEBRACHO Tannin Powder is much higher in tannins (around 75%).

But it is more expensive at 1/2 pound for around $15. I am considering it to ebonize poplar but balk at that price.

Forrest

Forrest,
How much powder would you need to make a quart?

forrestb wrote:Tea is a ready source of tannic acid, but QUEBRACHO Tannin Powder is much higher in tannins (around 75%).

But it is more expensive at 1/2 pound for around $15. I am considering it to ebonize poplar but balk at that price.

Forrest

I have not done it but the site I found says that "TANNIN POWDER" is 35-40% tannin and the Quebracho powder is 74-77% tannin.

Now, the same site says for "TANNIN POWDER" to mix 5 parts of powder into 95 parts of warm water, or 3 teaspoons into 8 oz of warm water.

Since the Quebracho is twice the potency of "TANNIN POWDER" I assume you would use half as much.

Edit: just use finishsupply.com in your browser

Let us know if you use it; I will do the same using 'tannic acid in the subject line.

Forrest