Replies

1. 
   Rob_Millard | Oct 28, 2000 05:14am | #1

   *
   I do inlayed furniture, and I protect the inlays with dewaxed blond shellac, I can't see why this won't work to prevent the dovetails from getting stained.Sanding sealer would probably work also, it dries fast, and is a little thicker than shellac, making it easier to control, but I've never tried it.

1. 
   Jay_Stallman | Nov 02, 2000 05:08am | #2

   *You might try a chemical treatment such as potassium dichromate (available from Garrett Wade. It will selectively darken certain species such as mahogany, and will not darken Holly or satinwood (eg when used as inlays) I don't know what it does to cherry or oak, but I would guess it would darken cherry more, maintaining the contrast between your pins and tails. It should be handled with gloves and a mask, since it is a potential carcinogen. Good luck.

1. 
   TAB | Nov 07, 2000 11:44pm | #3

   *Hi Daryl:I think Jay is onto a good idea there, but I'd avoid potassium dichromate if I were you. I do, and I'm a chemist!The process of staining by ammonia fuming would be an ideal solution. The tannins in the oak will react and darken (although you WILL NOT SEE THIS UNTIL YOU APPLY A FINISH OVER THE WOOD) whereas the maple will not (far fewer tannins in oak).You'll need to dig around the archives or in finishing texts for fumed oak staining (although you basically just put your piece into some kind of plastic tent with a tray of conc. ammonia in the bottom, along with some scrap pieces of oak which you periodically pull out and rub a quick coat of shellac or varnish on to sample the color intensity), but I think this would be a slick trick to getting around your problem.Best of luck,-t