Ebony Wood

Ebony is a very hard ,heavy and black wood! It can be used in any application. By it self or for inlaid projects. There is also a Macassar Ebony which is brown and stripped. African Blackwood looks the same but has different properties!

Scrape or Strip Wood finishes!

Sometimes I find it easier and cleaner to scrape old finishes off. I make my own scrapers to fit my hand. I buy the blades on install to fit the scraper. A little epoxy to keep from slipping and a small screw. Keep it sharp with a file and don't scrape back an forth only one way--pull!!

Whales

Whales--did you know Sag Harbor is one of the oldest whaleing ports in the world ! And it's about to celebrate its annual festival. Located on Long Island, New York. A great place to spend a vacation!!

reglueing old chairs

Loose legs on old chairs can be glued with two-part epoxy and fine saw dust, Just mix the two together and force the joints together. It will make a solid if not permanent bond. If you use 5 minute products you will have to move fast.

water marks on table top

Ever get white water marks on you favorite dinning table? Next time try denatured alcohol--but be careful--when you see the mark start to disappear Stop!! and start again .don't rush it!

wood filler and paste wood filler

Did you know-- Wood filler-- fills holes-- and Paste wood filler-- fills the pores in wood! Apply paste wood filler with a brush and remove with burlap. Apply wood filler with a small putty knife.

shellac

Shellac has been around along time .It is actully made from the secretions of the lac bug. Poly and varnish is man made. All three can be applied by hand,brush or spray. When you apply shellac use with parafin oil, then This process is called French polishing.

removing old finishes

If you are an amateur and you never stripped furniture before. Good Luck!! You can read the labels and through hard work and a lot of waste you will learn, Hint--Let the remover work for you!!

sanding

Nearly all furniture refinishing requires sanding. Sanding flat surfaces is easy -but what about small round legs?? Todays hint--use really course steel wool and some tough gloves. Works good on spindles also.

aniline stains

Aniline stains can be both water and alcohol base. They can produce a deep clear finish. They dry fast and can be recoated as many times as you want to produce a darker color. They can be mixed with shellac. If you have never used aniline stain before it is best to practice on some old piece of wood.

wood bleach

Wood bleach, unlike laundry bleach, can be used to whiten dark woods. Wood bleach can be bought in crystal form or liquid form. Liquid form comes in two parts and has to be mixed or applied separately. Wood bleach can be dangerous.to use. Rubber gloves and eye protection as well as good ventilation should be used!

Mahogney Wood

Most mahogney comes from Africa,Brazil and the Philippines. Did you know there is American mahogney? It comes from s.america and was introduced by the spanish in the 1400's. It is also called Santa Dominican Mahogney