This is my first attempt using stretchers and adding some curve to the legs. I also used a shooting board to square up the end grain. The stretchers came out a little rough, but overall I’m happy with it. This is just an intermediate step as I work my way up to making a full chair. Feel free to ask questions! Thanks for looking!
“Local stool guy”—that was my nickname back in college
Vale said:
“Local stool guy”—that was my nickname back in college
I prefer fancy imported stools
This was my first try at a few things—mainly making stretchers, adding a curve to the legs, and using a shooting board to get the end grain squared. The stretchers aren’t perfect, but it was good practice. I’m working toward building a chair, and this was a good step in that direction. I’m happy with the result overall. Thanks for checking it out!
Really nice! The finish looks great. Could you explain your ebonizing process? Do you make your own mix?
Rain said:
Really nice! The finish looks great. Could you explain your ebonizing process? Do you make your own mix?
Sure! It’s a simple process. After sanding the wood to 220 grit (and vacuuming it clean), I used Blick India ink and applied it with a stiff brush. It gets messy, so cover anything you don’t want ink on, including yourself. I did two coats, letting each dry for a few hours. Then I left it to sit overnight.
I make my own shellac by dissolving flakes from Kremer Pigments in Everclear. I use a roughly equal amount of Everclear and shellac flakes, shaking it regularly. You can also use a magnetic stirrer to make it easier. I then cut the shellac down to half strength with more Everclear for applying.
I wipe the shellac on with a rag, applying light coats. The first coat can rub off a little ink, so be gentle. It dries quickly, so you have to work fast. After it dries, I buff lightly with a gray Scotch-Brite pad, wipe off the dust, and apply another coat. I did three coats, but you can do more for a deeper finish.
Always test your method on scrap wood first to make sure it works for you. I found that sanding before applying the ink gave the best result.
@Paige
Is there a benefit to using India ink instead of the steel wool and vinegar method? I haven’t tried either but I love the look.
Jess said:
@Paige
Is there a benefit to using India ink instead of the steel wool and vinegar method? I haven’t tried either but I love the look.
I’ve used India ink to ebonize small projects but haven’t tried iron acetate. From what I’ve read, India ink gives more consistent results, especially with woods that don’t have much tannin. It’s also easier to work with and store. But iron acetate is the more traditional method and has its own charm!
@Payton
That’s exactly why I chose India ink. Ash doesn’t have much tannin, so I kept it simple. Some people add tannins using tea, but I didn’t want to complicate it for this project.
@Paige
Thanks for the detailed explanation!
I’d love to know more about your finishing process. It looks amazing! I work with ash a lot because it’s affordable and easy to work with. I wish I’d done my daughter’s table in a finish like this!
Monroe said:
I’d love to know more about your finishing process. It looks amazing! I work with ash a lot because it’s affordable and easy to work with. I wish I’d done my daughter’s table in a finish like this!
Thanks! I just explained the process in another comment—check it out!
It’s always a bit risky telling someone, ‘that’s a nice stool’ but hey, that stool does look great! Though I was told black stools aren’t a good sign…
Seriously though, great job, especially with all hand tools. One question though—why call it ebonizing instead of just staining? Ebonizing does sound cooler though! Haha.
@Bell
Thanks! Yeah, I don’t know why it’s called ebonizing, but that seems to be the term everyone uses. It feels more like dyeing to me, but as long as it looks good, I’m happy.
Paige said:
@Bell
Thanks! Yeah, I don’t know why it’s called ebonizing, but that seems to be the term everyone uses. It feels more like dyeing to me, but as long as it looks good, I’m happy.
Exactly—whatever you call it, it looks fantastic!
My wife calls me that too
Must be a bar stool if you’re using Everclear!
If your stool is black, you might want to see a doctor… But seriously, great job!
This is beautiful work.