Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 26, 2005 07:32am | #1

   Do you really need the ebony to go through the whole 1-3/4" thickness of the counter? You could inlay 1/4" x 1" strips, and I think stock that size would be a lot easier to find. As for length, I suggest long, carefully fitted scarf joints and black epoxy. I don't recall ever seeing Gaboon (Gabon?) ebony, the really black stuff, 54" long.

   Have you looked on eBay?

   One other consideration: Ebony and maple combinations are extremely tricky to sand, because the ebony dust will stain the maple unless the maple is very well sealed, and maple is difficult to seal very well because the pores are so small and the sealer doesn't soak in very deep. You may have to sharpen up your planes and scrapers.

1. 
   macalex | Feb 26, 2005 07:50am | #2

   What about a non-wood alternative? There's a Formica product that is coloured right through that glues OK and is colour-fast. I've used it as a contrast strip in a Deco table at it worked well. There will be other substances as well. What's ebonex?

   MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking

1. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 26, 2005 07:57am | #3

   >> There's a Formica product that is coloured right through ...Do you think it would stand up to use as a cutting surface?>> What's ebonex?Ebonized walnut. May no longer be in production. I've looked for it without success on the web and also seen others asking about it. I've seen it spelled different ways, which makes searching more tedious.

   Edited 2/25/2005 11:59 pm ET by Uncle Dunc

1. 
   macalex | Feb 26, 2005 09:18am | #4

   >> There's a Formica product that is coloured right through ...

   > Do you think it would stand up to use as a cutting surface?<

   Not sure - I guess it's possible it would sort of scuff up. It's as tough as wood, or tougher, so would take the traffic OK. Easy to test. I's use it edge-on, may need several thicknesses to get a substantial inlay strip. It's a great product, underused and under-appreciated in fine furniture making in my view

   I'm interested in this question, because I've used rosewood and ebony as a contrast/eccent wood for many years, and here in NZ can't buy anything that will do that today. Hence the question about ...

   >> What's ebonex?

   >Ebonized walnut. May no longer be in production. I've looked for it without success on the web and also seen others asking about it. I've seen it spelled different ways, which makes searching more tedious<

   ... so if you find an answer, please let me know!

   MalcolmNew Zealand | New Thinking

2. 
   IanDG | Feb 26, 2005 02:55pm | #6

   I was thinking of a Tufnol strip -- that's like nylon but much harder and comes in black. It's used for bearing surfaces so it should stand up to the scuffing.

   IanDG

2. 
   Peter36 | Feb 26, 2005 02:07pm | #5

   Possibly you could use a Corian type product [solid surface counter-top material]

1. 
   douglas2cats | Feb 26, 2005 04:25pm | #7

   The Corian will glue in and look good. But unfortunately it wont llok good for long if you do any cutting on the countertop. I made some small hot plates out of leftover Corian scraps - a dark gray/black stone pattern. I made the mistake of using one as a cutting board one day. The cut lines really stick out. The lighter color Corians might look fine after cutting board use, but the dark stuff really shows up any scarring. Just my $0.02.If you build it - he will come.

1. 
   giametti | Feb 26, 2005 04:30pm | #8

   Wenge seems to be the most popular ebony substitute these days. I have also tried to find ebonex and could not.

2. 
   UncleDunc | Feb 26, 2005 07:29pm | #9

   Corian's hard on your knives, too. Not as bad as granite, but worse than maple.

3. 
   johnhardy | Feb 27, 2005 05:20am | #10

   Two thought come to mind. One has already been mentioned ... using thinner ebony as an inlay.

   The other is to cut maple strips about 1/4 inch thick (or, perhaps an 1/8th). Soak these pieces in dye, so that the dye goes fairly deep. Then glue them together. You'll get a fairly thick piece that is maple and dyed throughout. This could be a thin (say, half inch) piece that is inlaid, or you could make it the whole thickness. Being maple, it'd wear just like the rest of the countertop.

   John

4. 
   cleve | Feb 27, 2005 05:33am | #11

   concentrated ammonia will turn oak black.

5. 
   Quickstep | Feb 27, 2005 06:24am | #12

   Thanks for everyone's ideas. I went to the yard today and to my surprise, I found a piece of ebony the length I needed. I got some lovely splinters from it and my wallet lightened accordingly.