Shopsmith Forums

paul269 wrote:About an hour ago I poured vinegar on some 0000 steel wool to make the solution to ebonize some red oak.
Did you make your solution the same?
And did you use tea first?

Yes, I have made it that way. I made a quart. And used four of the bundles of wool. You should leave it in the sun. Heat helps. Leave it until almost all the wool has been consumed. Do leave your container's lid very loose. There is a lot of gas that builds up. My quart took 5 days. I used 5 bags of tea in about 3/4 cup of water. Boiled it until it was almost as black as coffee.
Prior to applying the tea, I wet down the wood to raise the grain then sanded it. Then again, after the tea.
Good luck.

Dusty, thanks for your kind words. Check out Fast Cap's Kiazen foam if you intend to French fit your M1.

Very nice box.

Very fine work!

Gene Howe wrote:

paul269 wrote:About an hour ago I poured vinegar on some 0000 steel wool to make the solution to ebonize some red oak.
Did you make your solution the same?
And did you use tea first?

Yes, I have made it that way. I made a quart. And used four of the bundles of wool. You should leave it in the sun. Heat helps. Leave it until almost all the wool has been consumed. Do leave your container's lid very loose. There is a lot of gas that builds up. My quart took 5 days. I used 5 bags of tea in about 3/4 cup of water. Boiled it until it was almost as black as coffee.
Prior to applying the tea, I wet down the wood to raise the grain then sanded it. Then again, after the tea.
Good luck.

Two different methods? vinegar/tea 'Tea' primer and 'vinegar' finish.

JPG, the tea provides/enhances the tannins, which react with the vinegar and dissolved (oxidized) iron solution for a deeper darkening.
I forgot, in my earlier post, to mention that you want to use un oiled steel wool. Since oiled steel wool is never used in finishing, I just assumed. Shouldn't do that.

Masterfully done Gene! A true artisan.

Everett