Queen Ebony - info and Garage sale info!!!

**ElizaLeahy** · 23rd July 2009, 03:32 PM

I went to visit Brian at Sitco today. If you have been to any of the woodworking shows you migth have come across him - or his timber.

I've never seen so much ebony in one place! All sizes, all sorts - he had sticks of ebony as support sticks for airing other ebony!

This is queen, or Solomon ebony - it starts brown and goes black over time. You can speed up the process by putting it in a container with some amonia appearently (I'll try that when I get some amonia)

I took some photos, but my camera isn't all that crash hot, and it was inside a wear house.

Talk about DENSE!!! No, not me. The wood! It's so hard (not difficult...) I made a hairstick to test it - and I haven't finished it yet. Taking me about 3 times as long, if not longer, to do the same amount of cutting. I think I'm going to have to sharpen tools again before I restart. Going to make great hairsticks because it will be the strongest timber I've ever used!

Now - info on their Garage sale. They are moving on the 1st August, so Brian said he will have a Garage sale at the premises where they are now at Bulimba (Brisbane) - there is a map here
http://www.sitcoaustralia.com.au/contact_us.php

I considered not telling you about it, and going there early on Wednesday and getting all the specials myself, but I couldn't live with myself. (I probably could have lived with myself)

Anyway, I've told you, I've given you contact details.

Oh yeah, they do lots of mailing orders as well. And it's not as expensive as African ebony by miles!!!

**wheelinround** · 23rd July 2009, 03:42 PM

Got a piece from SWWS wish I'd got more

**kdm** · 23rd July 2009, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

You can speed up the process by putting it in a container with some amonia appearently (I'll try that when I get some amonia)

I have some fuming at the moment. In the photo it is sitting on the piece of wood from which the blank was cut which I've sanded to the same grit as the turned parts for comparison.

It has been fuming for two days so far, I'll leave it a little longer and see how it changes before finishing it and making up the pen. I'm just using cloudy ammonia from Woolies.

**dai sensei** · 23rd July 2009, 04:32 PM

So, where are they moving to?

**ElizaLeahy** · 23rd July 2009, 07:16 PM

Moorooka, not sure of exact address.

KDM - you have to turn it to the finished shape before "airing" it. Only the outside that is exposed to the amonia will be darkened, so you will cut off what you have darkened already.

I phoned Brian back because I had forgotten to ask him how long to leave them in with the amonia. He said a few weeks, but turn them regularly so that there are no lighter patches where it has sat.

Easy enough for pen blanks - and you can suspend them. Slightly harder for other things, because putting it back on the lathe for adding a polish at the end (like "Glow") can be problematical.

But for pens it should be great.

I think for everything else I'll do all the finish on the lathe before I take it off, and then just let it darken naturally, with age.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 23rd July 2009, 07:51 PM

Eliza, is it time that darkens it, or exposure to UV light?

ie. will sitting it on a window sill that sees good natural light hurry things along, like it does with Purpleheart, etc?

Originally Posted by kdm

I have some fuming at the moment. In the photo it is sitting on the piece of wood from which the blank was cut which I've sanded to the same grit as the turned parts for comparison.

I gather they've already been turned to size and by "finishing" you simply mean laying down a coat of CA/Shellawax/whatever and assembling?

I'm curious as to just how deeply the fuming affects the wood.

**ElizaLeahy** · 23rd July 2009, 08:05 PM

Skew, I don't know. Brian indicated that it was time, but maybe UV helps it along?

**Sawdust Maker** · 23rd July 2009, 08:12 PM

Eliza
you are my new best friend

can you pick me up a stick or two?

**ElizaLeahy** · 23rd July 2009, 08:20 PM

What size? For pens?

**kdm** · 23rd July 2009, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I gather they've already been turned to size and by "finishing" you simply mean laying down a coat of CA/Shellawax/whatever and assembling?

Yes, not sure I'll even risk Eee!!

I'm curious as to just how deeply the fuming affects the wood.

I'd guess not deeply at all but I'll fume a scrap bit and have a look!

**brendan stemp** · 24th July 2009, 12:40 PM

I used it to do these pepper mills. I combined it with banksia pods. I like the stuff. One of the strongest timbers I've ever come across, great for spindle work. I would avoid do anymore hollow forms out of it.

**ElizaLeahy** · 24th July 2009, 12:48 PM

They are beautiful!

**eisbaer** · 24th July 2009, 02:22 PM

when does the sale start eliza? Thinking about heading up there on saturday if it's on already. I tried calling them earlier but no answer. Not even sure if they're there on saturdays.

**ElizaLeahy** · 24th July 2009, 03:36 PM

The sale is Wednesday - Yes they are open tomorrow, I rang and checked. I'll be going there tomorrow to pick up some things - might meet you there!

**eisbaer** · 24th July 2009, 04:06 PM

i wonder if i can convince them to do sale prices tomorrow

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