Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 24, 2002 07:34am | #1

   Household ammonia from the supermarket works real good.

2. 
   SgianDubh | Aug 24, 2002 07:36am | #2

   An industrial chemical supplier. Ask for 8/80 ammonia. They'll know what you mean and they'll ship it in a very well protected container.  Slainte, RJ.

   RJFurniture
1. 
   Timcaveny | Aug 24, 2002 08:20pm | #5

   I only found two chemical supply houses in the whole state. They were perfectly willing to sell me a ten gallon carboy of the stuff, but my finishing supplies cabinet isn't big enough to store it.

   Thank you for the specific information, though, 'gus slainte tu fein.

   Tim

1. 
   DennisS | Aug 26, 2002 08:27am | #12

   Asking at a print shop (engineering type printing) is a good idea unfortunately you may find that most of them have gone digital. None of the printers in my area are using diazo (ammonia developed) printing process any more.

   I got a two gallon spent jug of ammonia from a concrete fabricator that's still using that printing process for their duplication. The smaller machines take a smaller size jug. Large printing houses usually (around here, anyway) use pressurized bottles in large sizes. Ask around if you have any steel fabricators, or other construction type subcontractors in your area that would be in the business of preparing drawings for distribution. The price is usually right.

   When I say "spent" I mean it wasn't strong enough for printing purposes. At arm's length when I take the lid off the jug I'm pretty sure it's strong enough for woodworking purposes (grin).

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

3. 
   daddyman105 | Aug 24, 2002 04:43pm | #3

   I've used household ammonia many time with good results.  Just be sure to get the unscented kind.  Cheap and clear is best.

   I've also had good success wiping on the household ammonia.  The color is good, just some grain raising issues to contend with.  Household ammonia is mostly water.

   If you need only small quantities of ammonia, try your local drug store.  I was able to purchase small bottles that way when I first tried fuming.

   Good luck.

1. 
   Timcaveny | Aug 24, 2002 08:13pm | #4

   Actually, I tried household ammonia without much effect, then I went to Rite- Aid and they gave me a runaround about poison control.

   I know it must be available in a retail situation in concentrations above 25%, but I think I'm just not trying the right kind of supplier.

   Thanks, though. Maybe I'll go back and try wiping on the household ammonia as you suggested, or maybe just go with bichromate of potash.

   Thanks again

   Tim

1. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 24, 2002 10:01pm | #6

   What kind of setup were you using? I used an air-tight container with about 1/4" of ammonia in the bottom and a rack to hold the oak up out of the liquid. I got a dramatic color change overnight. Also remember that the color will get a lot darker when you put a finish on.

1. 
   rslatm | Aug 25, 2002 02:59am | #8

   We use a fish bubbler to agitate the ammonia in a commercial set up.

   Rick

4. 
   Paul_Snyder | Aug 25, 2002 12:02am | #7

   If you have any blue-print drafting suppliers in your area they should have it in smaller quantities. Printing suppliers and photo suppliers may also carry it. I've found suppliers by doing a search on google.com - look for ammonia hydroxide.

   Paul

   F'burg, VA

1. 
   WilliamHF | Aug 25, 2002 05:49am | #9

   Paul gave you the best answer.

   Drop over to your nearest Blue print shop and ask them to sell you a gallon of their 28% ammonia. Pretty cheap and readily available at almost all blue print shops.

   It is bad news if you get it in your eyes. Turns the corneas to cottage cheese tho' the color is more gray, then, than the transparent tissue one has before such disastrous exposure. Same is true of ordinary grocery store/household ammonia.

   Caution.

   William

   I make something, sometimes twice, each year.

1. 
   Biscardi | Aug 25, 2002 03:24pm | #10

   I used reagent grade ammonia in the laboratory years ago. Very nasty stuff. William is correct- use cautiously.

   Frank

5. 
   Paul_Snyder | Aug 25, 2002 05:03pm | #11

   I figured you were following an article on fuming (like the one that ran in FWW some time back) and had a list of safety precautions. If not, here's a link to an article that describes the fuming process and precautions - ftp://ftp.cs.rochester.edu/pub/archives/rec.woodworking/woodwork-ammonia

   Paul

   F'burg, VA