anyone used the mahogany finish process as outlined by Fine Woodworking article (Jul/Aug 2003 pg 36-41) by Jeff Jewitt?
joeleonetti
| Posted in Finishing on
Hi,
I am working on my a Christmas gift for my wife (starting early for once, LOL). I am making a music box out of Genuine Mahogany. There is a 2003 Fine Woodworking article by Jeff Jewitt (Jun/Jul 2003 issue, pgs 36-41) that describes a finishing process for mahogany. Just curious if anyone has used this finishing process and if so, did you like the results? I would guess yes given it was in the magazine. Many thanks for your feedback.
Sincerely,
Joe
Replies
No but I was curious, and did some digging to find the article: https://www.finewoodworking.com/membership/pdf/41063/011164036.pdf
Sounds like a lot of work for the color, But noting he was working on a tabletop, whereas I'm not sure I would do the grain filling steps for something like a music box.
For just a music box I agree. I have some other projects with genuine mahogany (wood purchased) lined up so part of the music project finishing is to see if I like the way it looks.
I'll just add an observation (not an expert). I've worked with mahogany a lot as a hobbyist. There seem to be so many ways you can finish it and have it look good, that I look for simple. In the Jeff Jewitt article, I think he's trying to get an antique look for his table by the extra steps he's taking, and that doesnt fit every project. For example, I note the first step being the amber dye, is something done to kill the red tone in the wood, to it browner. I like the red tone in mahogany, so not something I would do. But YMMV.
Thanks for the feedback. I think I am going to have to take some offcuts and experiment. My favorite go to finish is shellac so I will try just that on an offcut. Then likely try a piece with BLO followed by shellac. Then likely try the full blown procedure.
My general approach to date has been to keep things simple (shellac). As I've got more projects under my belt curious if there are better (such a subjective word) ways to finish a project. I'm not so concerned about speed or cost. Just curious what else looks really good and ages gracefully.
Shellac looks great on mahogany, and is perfect for a music box. There is no need to complicate things with BLO.
I agree. Best thing BLO does is highlight (pop) the grain, but it turns mahogany too dark for me to see figure if its there.. Garnet shellac adjusts the color a bit, in one step.
joe, by all means experiment and see what you like.
Whatever you end up doing, don't experiment on the completed project.
Work out the full finishing routine on project scrap, whether Jewitt's routine or one of the other suggestions made by other posters in the thread.
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