Thread: Source of ebony wanted.

Hey Ratty, so dipping the timber in eg Feast Watson black proof tint isn't an option? even if the handles were sanded up to eg 1500 grit??

Damm shame to hear Sitco aren't doing business anymore.

cheers
Wendy

I think you will find this link has ebony limb pieces


www.beyburl.com

Dick in Germany sells small pieces I think (so if you happen to be passing)

Hi Ratty,

Australian Furniture Timbers in Melbourne have Queen Ebony, which is black as .. for $16000 a cube (which is much better than the Macassar Ebony I've seen at $85,500 a cube!!).
They will however cut small amounts for you off a board that is about 200 x 19mm. You can reach them on 03 9646 1081 and ask for Anthony. Tell him Rob who made the boxes for them said to call.

Regards,

Rob

Be aware, most, if not all, ebony sold at retail these days is quite fresh, meaning wet/not cured and dried. It will come completely covered in wax to prevent cracking and splitting. However, after you have worked, turned or whatever it is HIGHLY PROBABLE your beautifully finished piece will crack and split on you. Do keep this in mind and possibly reconsider the material you really want to use.

Hi Ratty,

Sitco's website is up this morning? If they are gone its a real pity. Ive seen bits of ebony at Trend Timbers in Windsor NSW. If you are up to shopping overseas Rockler Ebony Turning Blanks - Rockler Woodworking Tools (great service but exy) or the luthiers suppliers, Stewmac or LMI or RC Tonewoods.

Hi,

Thought I'd let people know.

Sitco is still trading, I spoke to Brian this morning.

I mentioned this thread and said I'd let people know that he is still selling Queen Ebony.

He has just moved again, and the website needs the address updating, but he can be contacted on [email protected] and would appreciate the business.

Have bought a bit off them over the last couple of years, and seen them at the recent Brisbane Woodworking Show.

My association with them is only as a satisfied customer, and after reading the earlier post in the thread thought I'd see if I could get hold of them.

Hope that helps anyone chasing Queen Ebony.

Regards

- Gavin

Thanks all for your rapid comments, this is what i love about this forum - ask & ye shall be informed.
I'd also like to correct myself & apologize to Brian from Sitco as it seams they are still in business, hes just been overseas. I had sent him an email a few weeks ago as well as rang his number which was not working at the time also when i mentioned Sitco to my local timber miller he also told me that he'd heard that they had closed down. Happily i can let him know that Sitco is still up & running. Brian rang me today, i'm guessing thanks to your phone call Gavin, & he is going to email me some Queen Ebony prices so my problem is solved.
Rifleman, thanks for the tip regarding how freshly milled the timber may be, i'll ask Brian about that & stack any i buy to take that into account. Since i mostly want the ebony for plugs & box/cabinet handles it probably won't be such of an issue.
I've asked Brian for a price on some 10mm thick, 70mm wide boards which will be for the plugs/ handles as well as a rough price for turning blanks (for future turning as soon as my skills on the lathe match the timber to be turned) so i'll post the prices here just in case there's some interest from others.
Wendy, the problem i've found with stains/ tints/ ebonizing timbers is that no matter how fine the wood is sanded to the treatment will raise the grain. So instead of having a plug or handle with a beautiful high polish to it like u can get from ebony instead u get a mat finish. Still quite nice a look & feel but i've kind of got my mind set on that highly polished finish.

Thank you Gavin - such a relief!! I love Sitco's ebony and will be wanting some more during the next year.

I can appreciate that a black sheen is just not what you want. Yes, I agree, the nibs just won't settle down sometimes, especially when dipping/sanding.

I'll look forward to hearing what you think of the ebony.

Well you wouldn't read about it, it never rains but sometimes it pours.
I headed down to the community shed for the first time this week & there on 1 of the work benches was a beautiful big slab of ebony! It was about 100mm square & a good 400 - 500mm long! The owner who is also a member of this forum left it right where i normally work with a big note on it stating in bold black letters " this belongs to JohnT"
Talk about rubbing it in! lol. Guess who's read this thread.....
John's going to have a word to the fellow whom he scored it from earlier in the week & see if he can chase up another slab for me.
John's slab of ebony has quite a few nasty cracks all thru it making it pretty much useless for much more than plugs - & buttons which, sadly is just what he has planed for it.
Fingers crossed he can chase me up a slab of black gold. I made up a door pull from some scrap myrtle today for the cabinet i'm 'still' working on & treated it with the ebonizing mix but so far its not looking the best, a bit patchy in colour. Once it dryes i'll see how it is & perhaps give it another dip in the mix.

I bought a 100x100x600 piece off Sitco a few years back. It was cut for me from a lot larger piece so it is sealed and still drying/settling. Something that size and density takes a while to dry properly.

Send Brian an email, he may be able to cut one to suit, whatever size you need.

Todd (SWINO) of this Forum also has a few lumps of African Ebony here, but may also be able to cut you a piece to suit. Send him a PM.

Originally Posted by Rattrap

Hi all,
I'm on the hunt for some ebony for plugs/handles for green & green style pieces. It needs to be a good black for full effect. I'm not after heaps, probably couldn't afford heaps in the first place, 19mm thick & just about any width & length. I've emailed a couple of companies, but no response at all. 1 company whom i was very keen to buy from was Sitco as they were FCS certified has sadly closed down. I've been watching Ebay over the last week but no luck.
If anyone knows of a source of ebony i'd really appreciate a heads up.
In the mean time i'm trying out 'ebonising' timber which works ok however there are problems with sanding the timber after ebonising, namly that the black doesn't penetrate far into the timber at all.

Thanks,
Ratty.

I have brians(sitco) new mobile number,p.m.me for more details

Thanks dai sensei, MAPLEMAN, Brian rang me on Tuesday so i now have his mobile number.

Hi
We have some Gabon Ebony Pen Blanks which may suit your requirements.
They are 19mm square by 150mm long and are jet black. Another alternative is some South African Blackwood which is very dark however some of the pieces have a bit of light sapwood on the sides.
Let us know what we need to do?

Regards

Misan Craftwood
30 Bass Hwy
Round Hill Burnie Tas