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How to work my way around a log of Gaboon Ebony

3K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  Dark_Lightning 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi there,

I just received an offer from a log dealer and ended up having a whole log of gaboon ebony (4m long, 90+ cm diameter) transported to my yard in the next 45 days.

I'm now wondering how to go about milling it. Is it possible to air-dry whole slabs when it comes to gaboon ebony this size? There is very little information on internet which is why I've decided to start a topic of its own.

What I have so far found out is that it's rather hard to find larger boards or pieces of ebony, but the reason behind it still not so very certain.

My normal approach would be: mill it into slabs, seal the ends, sticker and let them air-dry for years before doing anything with them and maybe move them inside after 2 or 3 years. But as the wood is expensive, there really is no room for experimenting.

I am hoping to dry most of them as thin slabs, but I'm also very impatient to start working on some bits sooner.

Any advice on the approach is very much appreciated.

Thanks
 
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#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
I've seen some very large slabs of gaboon ebony. Unless your in Africa it should be sealed with wax.
Ebony takes forever to dry.
You should resaw thick and store someplace cool.
Some of the blanks I've used in the past were very unruly I hope you have better luck then me.
On another note I thought Gabon ebony was on the endangered list.
I was paying over a hundred dollars a bft when it was available.
Almost jet black some lites.

The reason you don't see large slabs is the trees take a very long time to grow and they don't get very big.
Even a blank big enough for a fret board is rather amazing.
There's a article out somewhere on the harvesting practices of true Gabon for fret boards and it's very disturbing.:(
 
#7 ·
Aj2 is spot on when he said "Ebony takes forever to dry." I purchased a piece of 8/4 X 9" X 30" Gabon Ebony from a well known, reputable dealer. The ebony was represented to have been air dried for 15 years. It arrived with 18% moisture content, way wetter than it had to be for saw totes. I rigged up a little finishing kiln and brought it down to 7% to 8% in three months. The kiln is s simple tall box, open at the top and bottom with a single incandescent light bulb at the bottom. It acts as a chimney drawing slightly warmed air up passed the ebony that was susp[ended inside on a wire rack. The very gentle, slightly warmed air flow kept the ebony from warping, but hastened the drying considerably. That was several years ago. I'd probably still be waiting if I had depended on air drying. This is probably an impractical drying solution if you're dealing with large boards, but it works like a charm for smaller pieces. Here's a couple of photos of my finishing kiln (sorry they're sideways):

IMG_0136
 
#8 ·
Aj2 is spot on when he said "Ebony takes forever to dry." I purchased a piece of 8/4 X 9" X 30" Gabon Ebony from a well known, reputable dealer. The ebony was represented to have been air dried for 15 years. It arrived with 18% moisture content, way wetter than it had to be for saw totes. I rigged up a little finishing kiln and brought it down to 7% to 8% in three months. The kiln is s simple tall box, open at the top and bottom with a single incandescent light bulb at the bottom. It acts as a chimney drawing slightly warmed air up passed the ebony that was susp[ended inside on a wire rack. The very gentle, slightly warmed air flow kept the ebony from warping, but hastened the drying considerably. That was several years ago. I'd probably still be waiting if I had depended on air drying. This is probably an impractical drying solution if you're dealing with large boards, but it works like a charm for smaller pieces. Here's a couple of photos of my finishing kiln (sorry they're sideways):

IMG_0136
 
#9 ·
Aj2 is spot on when he said "Ebony takes forever to dry." I purchased a piece of 8/4 X 9" X 30" Gabon Ebony from a well known, reputable dealer. The ebony was represented to have been air dried for 15 years. It arrived with 18% moisture content, way wetter than it had to be for saw totes. I rigged up a little finishing kiln and brought it down to 7% to 8% in three months. The kiln is s simple tall box, open at the top and bottom with a single incandescent light bulb at the bottom. It acts as a chimney drawing slightly warmed air up passed the ebony that was susp[ended inside on a wire rack. The very gentle, slightly warmed air flow kept the ebony from warping, but hastened the drying considerably. That was several years ago. I'd probably still be waiting if I had depended on air drying. This is probably an impractical drying solution if you're dealing with large boards, but it works like a charm for smaller pieces. Here's a couple of photos of my finishing kiln (sorry they're sideways):

IMG_0136
 
#11 ·
That's very cleaver Mr python. My last chunk of Gabon I gave to a friend to display on his desk. It was 3×3 6or7 inches tall. I had it drying for 4 years in my home. I watched it bulge and crack over and over.
So I new resawing would not go well so I polished it to display all the beauty.

Anyways I like your idea .Thanks for sharing
 
#13 ·
You are talking about a very precious and endangered piece of wood, not to mention very large. IMHO you should be talking to experts in the industry, not inquiring on a forum. (No disrespect for fellow LJ's)
 
#14 ·
Be sure it was harvested legally. Do your due diligence! Google Gibson ebony to see what can happen.

A log that size will likely yield tens of thousands of dollars in lumber. If you are not sure how to properly dry it call Rich Hearne at Hearne Hardwoods.
 
#16 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yeah I'm a aware of the lawsuit Gibson had upon themselves, TungOil, but I know my source and nothing dodgy there.. Thanks for the contact, I'll be contacting Rick at Hearne Hardwoods. And shipwright you are absolutely right about the fact that I should be talking to experts, but I was hoping the inquiry would lead to one as it turned out did. Thanks everyone
 
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