Several weeks ago, I posted some pictures of 55 year old cherry planks that I was given. The color and figure were remarkable, and the color was the deep color all the way through the plank. Consensus among those who posted was that the color was probably developed through slow oxidation.
Well, I decided to make another tray as a gift to the couple who gave me the wood. Photos are attached. The finish is two coats of Minwax Antique Oil. No stain. The color is just unbelievable, considering that it has had minimal exposure to sunlight.
I am saving the remaining wood for something special: I am looking for inspiration.
Best regards, Tom.
Replies
Ah, yes. The photos.
Man that cherry is nice! Cherry is my favorite wood! I agree why cover up the natural beauty of cherry with stain! You don't mention how much you have left, but a small wine cabinet, or a shaker hanging cabinet, or pie safe, or.... Sorry I could go on and on and on and...... Well you get the picture.
...Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off , painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth – lyrics from the song wear sunscreen
The wine cabinet sounds promising. I need to research some designs.A hanging display cabinet also sounds good.
Beautiful work! I have been thinking about finding some old or antique cherry to build a banjo neck. One of the things I've been wondering is to what extent the ageing and deeping of color in the cherry would be uniform throughout its thickness. I start with with a 3" thickness in the neck blank. So I was interested to note how beautifully uniform the color in your work is. Thanks for posting!
I work with cherry a lot, I have been doing it for many years, that said I noticed that cherry of a tree that grew in a field or pasture, has a much deeper red than forest grown.
Pretty much the color you have shown.
Also, the geographic origin has to do with color. I have seen cherry harvested in western Mass and in north eastern Connecticut with the same deep red.Do you know where your lumber comes from ?C.
The cherry in the original post is from a backyard tree in Lexington, KY. The tree was felled in the mid 1950's.Tom.
Edited 12/7/2009 9:18 am ET by Tom77
There you go, backyard, in my opinion that's the reason for the deep color.
It must be a question of exposure to day light during the growth of the tree.C.
"deep color all the way through the plank. Consensus among those who posted was that the color was probably developed through slow oxidation."
I remember my last supplier said he would take his cherry logs and leave them (just on the ground) for up to a year. He indicated that he checked them and once the bark starts coming off easy he will quarter and saw. He indicated to me that that evens out the color of the cherry and greatly minimizes the sap wood. I have to admit I bought a lot from him and helped him cut a couple times (free educations) and they all were just as pink as they could be. He indicated he traded a quick sale of lumber .vs. the wait and seeing what came out. Take care.
...Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off , painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth – lyrics from the song wear sunscreen
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