Chestnut Spirit Stain Review




Chestnut products need no introduction to most woodworkers. They produce a range of waxes, oils and stains that cater for most needs. One product I have been particularly impressed with is the Chestnut spirit stain. These stains fall into 2 categories. You have the typical wood stains such as golden oak, red oak, dark oak etc, etc. Then you have what is known as rainbow colours. The wood range contains 12 colours and the rainbow range contains 9 colours.

The spirit stain is an innovative product and the trial pack comes in handy 25ml bottles. If you are looking for a particular colour, this will fit the bill. Alternatively, these stains can also be intermixed so there is real potential to create some stunning effects. The stain can be mixed with sanding sealer or lacquer to create tinted finishes. You are only limited by your imagination.

The spirit stain also comes in larger 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre bottles if you have a preference for a particular colour. The stain is quick drying and fade resistant. It also has non-grain raising properties and can be applied with brush or cloth. Coloured stain really brings out the natural grain of the wood and creates an amazing finish. The trial packs of wood and rainbow colours can be purchased for around £14. This represents excellent value for money and virtually eliminates wastage.

Whether your preference is for turning or carving, this product is an absolute must for any wood worker.

How To Ebonize Wood With White Vinegar

Ebony is a beautiful dark coloured wood ranging in colour from dark brown to jet black. However, because this wood originates from Africa it is very hard to obtain in size and quantity. This means we have to look at crafting suitable alternatives to Ebony. Fortunately, there are several ways of ebonizing wood and a popular method is by using a white vinegar solution.

The white vinegar solution is also known as iron water. It causes a chemical reaction with the tannins in the wood which leads to oxidisation. This has the effect of turning the wood black. In some cases, the colour may vary from dark grey to dark brown but this depends on the type of wood and the amount of tannin. To make the white vinegar solution, you will need the following materials.

Materials required

White vinegar – Chinese supermarkets usually stock this in large quantities or you could purchase it online.

Steel wool – This must be 00 grade which can be purchased from any DIY store.

2 containers – These must have an airtight lid.

White vinegar mixing instructions

Pour a suitable amount of white vinegar into the 1st container.
Take 1 steel wool pad, break it into little pieces and add it to the vinegar.
If you have any old, rusty nails lying around you can also add these.
Seal the lid and let the mixture stand for a minimum of 3 days.
Now the white vinegar solution needs to be filtered.
Take the 2nd container and place a clean cloth over the top.
Pour the white vinegar solution from the 1st container into the 2nd one.
The cloth will catch all the bits of leftover steel wool and rusty nails.
What you are left with is the pure iron water solution.

*Please note if you do not filter the solution, you will end up with rust spots on your wood.

Iron water application

For best results, brew some tea (no milk or sugar) and brush this onto the piece of wood you are ebonizing. Leave this to soak in for 1 hour then brush on the iron water solution. You will instantly see the chemical reaction before your eyes. In a matter of seconds, the wood should have turned black.

This method works very well with Oak and Cedar because of the high tannin content in these woods. It may also work with other woods assuming you pre-treat the piece with tea. Black wood stains are thin on the ground but this is a simple, cost-effective method of recreating the look of ebony.

Robert Sorby beginner turning tool set review

The name Robert Sorby needs no introduction among the experienced wood turner. This beginner turning tool set would be ideal for those people who are just entering the industry. It contains all the basic tools you would expect to use and is sufficient for most standard turning projects. Make no mistake about it, these items would be considered the real McCoy. There is no cheap stuff at work here you can expect these tools to still be around when you pop your clogs. Assuming of course they are looked after correctly.

The set consists of 6 individual tools which are a roughing gouge (3/4"), parting tool (1/8"), bowl gouge (3/8"), spindle gouge (3/8"), oval skew (3/4") and finally a round nose scraper (1/2"). All the handles have a quality feel with an expertly fitted ferrule meeting the blade. The steel used on these tools is the industry standard High Speed Steel or HSS for short. These are high performance items that have good resistance to temperature and will out perform most competitors.

I am being a little harsh but the only gripe I have with this product is the box they come in. For around £100, you would perhaps expect something a little sturdier than a glorified cardboard box. However, many companies are guilty of this so it is not exclusive to Sorby. That said there is no shortage of poor quality tools that come in a solid wood box. In those scenarios, the box is better than the tools. Overall this is a value for money purchase considering you are getting six quality tools.

I have no problem in recommending this product. You would be hard pressed to find a better wood turning tool manufacturer than Robert Sorby. This beginner turning tool set is probably the best choice for any novice turner who is looking for a good starter tool set. Shop around for competitive prices. At the time of writing, you could pick this up from some retailers for £99 which is slightly better than most who charge around the £120 mark.

Just make sure you keep those tools sharp!

Scheppach DMS 900 Woodturning Lathe Review

As an Englishman, I have always bought British tools and machinery in the past. On this occasion, I was in need of a new floor standing wood lathe and was sorely tempted by the Scheppach DMS 900. Most of the lathes you see on the market are very similar but the DMS 900 had a feature the competition lacked. The main attraction was the reverse speed function as I always strive to obtain the best possible finish on my turnings.

The lathe arrived via a British based supplier as opposed to the manufacturer. Upon delivery, the contents were inspected for damage. The tailstock wheel which is made of plastic was broken in two separate places. This was quickly repaired courtesy of some CA glue. This part should be either made from a stronger material or protected during transit. The damage was reported to the UK based agent/supplier along with a request for a replacement. However, I have received no response whatsoever so I will try contacting Scheppach direct and post the outcome at a later date.

The lathe itself was simple enough to assemble and is running in good order. The tool tray quickly fills up with shavings so to combat this I line the tray with plastic sheeting. You can use a bin liner or even kitchen foil to achieve the desired effect. I noticed the motor cover would benefit from some additional protection as it gets a coating of dust when sanding on the lathe. The headstock swivels 360 degrees to allow for outboard turning if required.

The variable speed was another feature that attracted me to this product. Some woodturning lathes are advertised as having variable speed when it is nothing of the sort. The DMS 900 has a lever on the side of the headstock. This means you can change speed in whatever direction instantly. That has got to be better than stopping the machine and rummaging around with belt changes. In total, there are 10 speeds to choose from starting from 500rpm up to a maximum of 2,100rpm.

Overall, I am very happy with the purchase and it represents good value for money. The problems I have mentioned in this review are not major issues and should not discourage anyone interested in this lathe from buying it. The only thing it is lacking is better UK based customer support. This lathe will meet the needs of most wood turners from beginner to advanced level. Shop around for the best price as I managed to find it £100 cheaper just from a little research.