Replies

1. 
   BarryO | Jan 12, 2006 08:18pm | #1

   IMHO walnut is a wonderful wood to work with.  If it wasn't for the drak color, I'd use it more.

2. 
   BG | Jan 13, 2006 02:14pm | #2

   sdlreese,
   I much prefer mahogany over walnut because I grew up believing it was a superior wood in furniture. About 15 years ago I read that English craftsman, back in the whenever, were forced to switch to mahogany because walnut from Europe was no longer available. Two years ago I built my first walnut piece and was extremely impressed with its workability and finish.

3. 
   Ronaway | Jan 13, 2006 04:14pm | #3

   Walnut would be an very appropriate substitute. The grain structure is somewhat similiar
   and you will find the walnut considerably harder than the mahogany. The Walnut of course
   is darker so don't make the mistake of thinking that you have to use a dark stain. I have created some interesting color on walnut by starting with an amber color dye for a base color
   and over wiping that with a fruitwood color. This makes the grain look a bit more active than
   if you were to just put a walnut stain on walnut. My experience with walnut is that the material that comes from the northeast can be a little bland grain wise, the material we have
   from around the southeast tends to have more contrast and activity in the grain.

   Ron

1. 
   Ricklapp | Jan 15, 2006 12:46am | #4

   Except for grain patterns in wide boards, walnut has more of the characteristics of the traditional Dominican or Cuban mahogany than does Honduran mohogany; it is heavier, denser and harder like the old stuff.  Few of use have seen Dominican mohagany.  Friends just bought some 18th C English side chairs made from the stuff and man are they heavy.  In contrast, currently available stuff is much lighter.  I can make walnut look very much like mahogany.  The key is to bleach with two-part bleach which makes the wood a pale grayish-brown.  Then stain with a water-based analine dye; a brownish mahogany should work but experiment with the redder shades too.  Top with shellac and wax and you'll be all set.  Rick

4. 
   billballeza | Feb 02, 2006 05:52am | #5

   I work almost exclusively in walnut because I love it's stability, workability, beauty and the way it takes my favorite finish (oil/poly).

   One of the great things about turning walnut is the fragrance emitted as the chips fly.

   Some walnut has difficult grain so be sure your roughing and spindle gouges, skew chisel etc are sharp.

   Do wear a good mask when you lathe sand because walnut dust is wicked on the respiratory system.