Ammonia Fumed Stools

Well made and unique stools!

I like seeing other ideas on how to do things too. We all learn from each other all the time!

Thanks for the information!

What is ammonia fuming? Those are outstanding!

What is ammonia fuming? Those are outstanding!

- Knothead62

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I am curious as well what is this ammonia fuming process?

Thanks guys.

Here's Wiki's explanation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia_fuming

Basically I built a tent and put ammonia in gallon jugs cut lengthwise to expose the wood to the gases. It's recommended to use industrial strength (28%) but none to be had in my small town so I used household (5%). It just took longer, 48 hours. You can see the original colors in the photo of the glue up. The live oak reacted darker than the black oak, which is the close up with the fletching. I did a sample with off cuts in a jar, keeping the wood from actual contact, and was pleased so I built the tent. Apparently it is used on oak mostly because it is a reaction to tannins that causes the darkening.

These turned out great. I have not tried fuming yet, but after seeing the beautiful results you got, I may have to give it a whirl.

Interesting, have to look into it and try something small and see how it looks.

thanks for the great photos and description of the process
love the clever way you glued up as well

I would think you would have to do the fuming outside or somewhere the fumes wouldn't cause a problem in the house. Many thanks for the instructions and great photos.

Thanks for the complements.

The fumes weren't bad, but then the tent was pretty tight. I had a bigger issue with the lacquer. Being winter and in the middle of a storm system I didn't have much choice. I just sprayed and left the shop.

Thanks for the complements.

The fumes weren t bad, but then the tent was pretty tight. I had a bigger issue with the lacquer. Being winter and in the middle of a storm system I didn t have much choice. I just sprayed and left the shop.

- calisdad

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Yes, winter is a hard time when you're applying any type of substance and not just lacquer.I recently struggled with polish, it just didn't dry out. It took about a month

Yes, winter is a hard time when you re applying any type of substance and not just lacquer.I recently struggled with polish, it just didn t dry out. It took about a month

- Daniel Sheppard

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Daniel thanks for the heads up. I never would have guessed polish would have similar problems.

Living in California we have to deal with strict regulations. The formulas have changed and contrary to what the manufacturers would have us believe harder to deal with. It's a new learning process. I've had bad batches of canned and even rattle can products that don't cure even in 90 degree weather with 0 humidity. I use lacquer and shellac a lot more now because of finish failures.

I like the way you "sneaked" in the quarter sawn faces!

The number of species that can be fumed are limited, I usually only fume White Oak, but any wood with tannins will work (but not always work well).
I have tried Cherry, but the color was funky. Red Oak fumes, but turns green.

The best Ammonia I have found locally is the "Janitorial Strength" from the local hardware store. It is 10% and really makes a difference over the 5%, but still takes time.