Replies

1. 
   Wateren | Feb 19, 2003 06:09am | #1

   Trout

   I don't have any suggestions but wanted to say it sounds like a wonderful idea. Good thinking, and good luck carrying it off (you'll need a big tabletop).

   Do you have time to try a few things out, see about background colour and bleed?

   Ah, yes, indelible pen. I have a dedication up in my office, signed by myself (in India ink) and a corporation officer (using whatever pen he had on hand). My signature remains and his has faded to near-invisibility.

   May I ask what an archive-quality indelible pen is?

   Cheers,

   Chris.

2. 
   DavidxDoud | Feb 19, 2003 07:41am | #2

   have you considered pencil instead of pen? - - we are doing something similar with a sign associated with a building restoration project and are using soft pencil on poplar with poly over the signatures/messages (poly was not necessarily my choice,  you know committees and all) -  we are finding pencil messages in the building (water powered mill) that are 80+ years old with nothing covering them -  - I'm not sure how desirable it is to seal the wood before hand - that which enters the wood is what will stay -

3. 
   ChasStanford | Feb 19, 2003 03:02pm | #3

   Get them to use a dip pen with India Ink (artists supply stores are your source).  It'll be there forever.

4. 
   ian | Feb 19, 2003 03:22pm | #4

   has your sister considered the option of having the guests sign and write onto sheets of light coloured veneer which you would then veneer to a table top (plus matching veneer on the bottom of course).  This way your sister could choose (have some control over) which message appears where and your choice of wood for the table could be based upon considerations of strength and stability rather than one that provides sufficient contrast for the writting. 

1. 
   erich | Feb 26, 2003 05:01pm | #5

   I know I'm coming in a bit late on this, but I have an idea for you.  I've seen tables where the flat top has a raised border of perhaps 1/4" stock.  Ones I've seen, usually in resaurants, have items placed on the flat, and then I'd assume some sort of liquid acrylic is poured over the top contained by the lip on the raised edge.  This would certainly work for you, but it does lend a plastic quality to the look of the piece.  I imagine it's quite durable though and would last years and years.  Good luck!  Erich

5. 
   ChasStanford | Feb 27, 2003 02:34am | #6

   You can also buy vintage India inks from Pendemonium.  I've heard that vintage India ink (still very usable) holds up better than the new stuff.

   Check out all the ink they sell at Pendemonium.

6. 
   bleubassplyr | Feb 27, 2003 07:21pm | #7

   Excellent idea.  I would not seal it with any kind of oil first.  I recently completed a pencil post bed, then finished it with an oil varnish finish.  I had to use pencil to be able to write on it as nothing else would look good and stay.  I'm still a little nerveous about applying anything over the writing.  I can't stress enough that you should test out various methods before proceeding.  Good luck.