2buckchuck

I all, I'm new to the forum (my first post) and woodworking in general. My only true experience or knowledge has come from building my 10x22' shop and reading every magazine I can find. Up to this point I haven't built anything other than what I've needed in the shop. My shop is now nearing completion (for the time bing lol) and I've started working an 80 yr old slab of black walnut that I found in my grandfathers barn. I first removed the dirt and loose bark with a rasp sander (I think that's what it's called?) I then belt sanded it with graduating grits. I'm now R.O. Sanding it and an amazing quilting has developed. My question to you all is, how do I maximize the quilted appearance? Also, what would be the best finish option for really getting the quilting to pop and stand out? I'm keeping the slab and have already mounted it on my shop wall with a French cleat. I will attach photos soon.
Thank you in advance for any advice provided.
-C-

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chemmy

Actually 2Buck, there is not really any figure as whats referred to as "quilting" in the plank, but there is some nice figure in areas.

Where the figured areas are there is whats known as "interlocking grain" which is a wavy growth affect the allows some of the areas to have end grain that as you walk around it or view from different angles give depth and darkness from some and lightness from others.

Any clear coating will enhance this more than when viewed dry, just as the water or other liquid you applied to it in a photo has done.

To get the best affect of this depth and waviness, one should match up the refractive indexes of both the coating and the wood as close as possible. One of the best substances for this are those resins or solvents in the turpine family. Any of the fir balsams will get you there but Canadian balsam will get you there the best.

As a pretreatment i would suggest a wash of tannic acid [ a saturated solution] followed by a very weak application of ferrous sulfate, to increase the dimensional affect. or for go this and use a weak solution of potassium dichromate.

Once this is done i would turn to the old methods of a dye/chemical coloration that was used extensively in the late 18-early 19th centuries called Standard walnut stain or if a more antiquated look antique walnut.

after this, i would also finish with a good WW grade of 10% rosin/colophony and 90% wax free super blonde shellac, using the standard friction polishing methods normally reffered to as "french polishing"

With this accomplished, you will have an extremely nice slab to place on your wall for both you and others to admire.

sincerely,

chemmy.

jwkwildland

four

txpaulie

...or you could sand it down well and slather it in oil or poly, depending on your preference.

If'n it's gonna be hanging on the wall in your shop, I suspect it will have it's share of dust on it...

Personally, I'd use something less likely to attract said dust.

Beautiful chunk o'wood!

p

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