Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | Jan 09, 2011 06:58pm | #1

   Poplar is another wood possibility.  It's not as brittle as ash, so edges not as likely to break off.  It also is much smoother wood than the open grain of ash.

   But first I'd pick some 12" pieces of woods under consideration and see how close each comes to the desired finish.  I'd start with a dark reddish brown penetrating dye, seal, and then perhaps a black gel stain.  Apply at least one coat of finish, then compare to the sample piece.

   Because walnut is a much darker wood, it would be easier to approximate the sample piece, but I'd hate to see essentially a painted finish on wood as beautiful as walnut.  Just my opinion.

1. 
   gcg | Jan 10, 2011 09:46am | #3

   Thanks Don

   Poplar is a good idea.  This picture comes from a catalog and they say it's an "espresso" finish on either Ash or Alder but I can not remember which. 

   I agree with the dye and some samples.  I've used a water based dye once before for a Stickley style Mission finish with great results.

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 09, 2011 11:04pm | #2

   I'm seeing a painted piece--is that right.  In any event, a diffuse porous wood, such as poplar or soft maple would be easier to achieve the smooth surface that I see.   Milk paint might give you the matte surface and can be applied so that a hint of wood or another color paint could sneak through.  Using ash, oak, or even walnut or mahogany give the addition of open pores that would need to be filled. 

   If the surface isn't painted, then you would want to begin with a dye to achieve the darkness of color, and then top that with a pigment only stain, possibly a gel stain, to get the look I see. 

3. 
   Westchester | Jan 11, 2011 07:48am | #4

   Wood Choice

   gcg

   Alder would be easier to work with and easier to color -

   SA

4. 
   jvk | Jan 11, 2011 08:35am | #5

   I used some General Finishes dark brown dye stain right from the can for a similar match.  I got it at woodcraft but I'm sure others have it. Test on scrap w/ finish first.  I had applied it (water based) and finished w/ water base, so i got some bleed in and darker than I really wanted but it was close to what you have.  You could seal it w/ oil base after dying to keep it lighter.

5. 
   sapwood | Jan 13, 2011 11:26am | #6

   Pardon me for saying so, but your approach to this project is sort of backasswords. Forget what the catalog says. You want a deep chocolaty black finish on a wood that will stand up to that status. Get several species including ash and poplar but add a few more. Any will work, really, you're going to dye/stain the beejeezus out of them anyway. Work up a lot of finish samples. The results of this will tell you what wood to use. It will also tell you what the finish schedule is before actually beginning construction. Something that is seldom done by amateur woodworkers.

   If all that sounds like a lot of extra work. I'm sorry.