Darkening oak

[Jim McDonald]

Sometime back, there was some discussion about darkening oak. I have used the search and found something about fuming with ammonia, but I think there was another method using vinegar.
I have a suspicion it may have been lost in the software change.
Any guidance appreciated.

[NC Scroller]

Is this too dark?
Ebonizing Wood - FineWoodworking

[Jim McDonald]

Might be. I am going to be making a sign using oak plywood and I think I may want the background a tone other than the oak. May explore other veneers as well.

[jim_mex]

Hi Jim - a long while back I did a series of ebonizing tests using the steel wool and vinegar method on a variety of woods. On white oak the color turns out to be a light grey. On red oak its a much darker grey black. To get the best out of ebonizing i.e. the blackest coloration the wood needs t o be high in natural tanin. Woods for example like mahogany give a rich black coloration.

Its a simple enough procedure to try and experiment with to see what sort of a result you get. Alternatively you could always use a stain.

[hotshot]

I've had very good luck using the oven. The wood does soften, but with oak, that usually isn't a problem. It also darkens all the way through.

Here is a flash from the past where I show some puzzle boxes made with oven darkened oak.

https://forum.scrollsawer.com/forum/...2-puzzle-boxes

Here is another link to an article on this from fine woodworking:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2010...he-way-through