Fuming with Ammonia

When many people think of Stickley, Limbert, or Roycroft furniture, fumed white oak is what they see in their mind’s eye. Kevin Rodel explains the history and methods behind ammonia fuming, starting with how to use it safely. Use boards cut from the same tree; otherwise, tannin levels will vary, and so will your result. Then he addresses how to build a fuming chamber and prepare the lumber for a stay inside the chamber. A photo chart compares fumed, unfumed, and tannic acid fumed maple, birch, cherry, and butternut, unfinished and finished with oil. Side information offers a look at how common furniture woods look when fumed and finished in various ways.

From Fine Woodworking #126