Drying Ebony

Re: Drying Ebony

Warren in Lancaster, PA

>Last month I showed my neighbor a 19th century sextant made of ebony, ivory, and brass that was given me when I was a boy. A lot of fine things were made of ebony before the advent of kiln drying.

I think 10 percent moisture in June would be unusual for air dried material in eastern North America. You don't say how long ago your piece was cut; in general I would wait through a total of two winters. If you are making handles or knobs I think you can go ahead right now.. If you are making musical or scientific instruments I would suggest having the stuff in your possession at least a year.

Re: Drying Ebony

John Aniano, in NJ...

>Brad,

Depending on what you intend the final form of the ebony to be, turned art objects, precision tooling or musical instrument parts (as I make), I'd seal the ends well (I use CA glue) and let the ebony dry for at least one year for pieces ~1/2" thick. For 2"+, I'd still seal the ends and try to cut it into near final form for the finished pieces and then let it sit even longer. I have pieces of ebony cut up into near final shape and they still are moving (a few 0.001") after several years. I'm pretty sure that ebony, as do many other woods, shrinks more in the tangential direction than the radial direction. Also, since ebony is often from small trees, watch out for the pith or center of the tree regions, if present, as these can season erratically. Sometimes what I call "ring checks" can result near the pith if you try to speed the drying.

BTW, how did you measure the 14-18% MC?

Over and out,

John

Re: Drying Ebony

Brad in Ottawa

>Thanks both!

This is the first exotic that I have and I know that they can be fickle when it comes to getting them dry enough. I realise that it won't be dry enough for awhile but good things are worth waiting for. (BTW, I meant to type 10-12% when I typed my original post and I don't expect that it will be dry enough for quite some time.)

Paul: I know the Ebony is in that range b/c that's what I was told when it arrived from the place I ordered it from. I called and was finally able to speak to someone who believes it more in the 15-16%. I am assuming that it is based on the amount of time drying. (Which I forgot to ask.)

Thanks!

Brad

PS - Paul, I bought the air dried b/c I prefer air dried lumber and agree that many great things were done with wood before kilns.