Tbeaulieu Posted September 15, 2013 Report Share Posted September 15, 2013 I hate to ask a stupid,no right answer question,but... I'm thinking of using walnut for this project.i love walnut and just picked up some up at $3 bd ft,which is cheap here. Would like to hear general thoughts,as well as suggestions for the plugs. Something light colored? Maple good enough? thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 Why not ebony? Would look great with walnut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 I think if you are going G&G then Ebony would be the most appropriate. Around here, Ebony runs $115/bf. So, I can also understand if you want to go another route. Only thing is for plugs you will need very little ebony so even at that high price it shouldn't break the bank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 What about using ebony pen blanks? That way you are only buying what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted September 16, 2013 Report Share Posted September 16, 2013 I don't think I'd like light colored pulls and plugs. If the ebony doesn't work out, ebonized ash, pulls might look nice. My favorite way to ebonize ash is with India ink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikbrown Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 I would go with brown ebony. You can get long turning blanks at woodcraft for like $2-3 a blank usually. so for like $6 you could have a wood that would go great with the walnut just a few shades darker but will take a great polish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbeaulieu Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Thanks for your thoughts all. I think I'm getting ahead of myself and will deal with this when I get there. I've never bought specialty wood like that, so I can mull it over and see what they have. Marc, you're killing me. I stumbled across another person asking about walnut and you told him ebony wouldn't contrast enough. Are you suffering from split personality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewoodwhisperer Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 I'm suffering from something called being human, lol. I dont know the context of my previous comment but I myself have made G&G projects using walnut and ebony so Im not sure why I would say there isn't enough contrast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChetlovesMer Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Ebony would look good with walnut and is the "rule" for G&G. however, don't be afraid to break the rules. One idea that comes to mind is butternut. It is in the same family as walnut, similar grain, but is quite a few shades lighter. Once finished, it will have a similar tone but several shades lighter. It could give you a cool "monochromatic" effect, but not at all in a cheasy way. It would be a bit more understated. Why not make a test board with a few different contrasting plugs and see what you like most? if all else fails then you can go back to Ebony or something dyed black. (It might be sacriligous to say in the G&G build forum, but personally I think ebony looks like really expensive plastic . There, I said it). Ha ha, that's funny. I've heard several people say the expensive plastic thing. Even David Marks mentions that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAet8eDnNDM Personally, I love Ebony. I like to work it into designs it has no place being. Take a look at my Roubo. I have it calling for your attention at each of the 4 dovetails. I have it as the top of the wagon vise dog holder. I even having trimming around the walnut inlay in the cherry leg vise. I use it everywhere I can. For Christmas and birthdays my family has come to expect that there will often be a bit of ebony highlighting some portion of the box I build them or the pen holder or what ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbeaulieu Posted November 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2013 I'm half way through my plugs. I went with ebony. I've been thinking of the plastic look that people don't like and I came to a conclusion. Each wood has different traits, some good some not so good. If ebony buffs to a perfect smooth sheen, why not embrace that as a wonder of nature? This is the first time I've worked with ebony and I think the sheen is fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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