Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Apr 27, 2009 08:16pm | #1

   It is just a fact of life that the heartwood and sapwood of cherry are differently colored, and that the color difference between the two kinds becomes greater over time as the heartwood darkens considerably, and the sapwood only a little. 

   Using dye and stain to eliminate the difference can be done, but is tedious and challenging to get looking right, without virtually painting the wood.  Moreover, what ever you do now is somewhat temporary because of the darkening of the heartwood. 

   So for me, the choice is either to leave the sapwood to the scrap pile and give cherry a natural or almost natural finish; celebrate the differences in how the wood is placed in the project: or, use an entirely different wood--maple for example, that can be stained to imitate cherry, but which will not darken over time.  Red birch is very close to cherry in color as another example. 

1. 
   4runner | Apr 27, 2009 08:37pm | #2

   Nice job, lots to think about. Now if I can convince my customer, we'll both be happy.

   4Runner

    

1. 
   byhammerandhand | Apr 27, 2009 10:21pm | #4

   There's a guy near here that makes and sells Celtic Harps. He has a line of heart/sap cherry that he calls "Vanilla Cherry" Bookmatched and the customers apparently love it. It's all in the marketing, I suppose.

2. 
   bones | Apr 27, 2009 09:03pm | #3

   I've not seen much success in blending the colors but I supose its possible.  I have some crown trim that I am going to use in my project that will have some very light color but I'm going to use anyway due to the beautiful figure.  Just the way it is.  The sawyer I bought most of mine from till I moved use to let his logs sit on his property for at least a year then cut as he put it when the bark falls off she's ready to be cut.  He indicated that would even out the color.  Ya know I unloaded several kiln loads and be darned he was right it was pretty much pink throughout.  I'll be sad when the last of that's gone.  Bought it at 3$ a bf too. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
1. 
   4runner | Apr 28, 2009 03:26am | #5

   Thank you, I'm still learning.

   4Runner

1. 
   bones | Apr 28, 2009 04:01am | #6

   One thing I forgot to mention.  Sometimes you can move the wood around and put the fuller (more pink) site facing out.  I did that with a leg on my current project.  Had some almost white but it ran at an angle on one corner.  I managed to orient the leg so that the white part faced the inside where it would only be visible when the door is open which when you think about it will only be on ocasion.  The current piece I'm doing for the wife, I've tried to center the grain pattern on some panels that meant cutting out only the center section of a board.  I do save my cutoffs and so far have salvaged quite a few (runners for drawers etc or scrap for test cuts) It's amazing how many times you need just a little piece of something and there it is in the scrap barrel.  Good luck and have fun. As far as the just learning thats what we all can say just some are farther down the road than others.   Me I'm a hobyist thats just having a blast along the way!

    

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

   Edited 4/27/2009 9:03 pm by bones

1. 
   4runner | Apr 28, 2009 03:05pm | #7

   GReat idea, but this is too complicated to fine tune every door, rail, panel, etc. I've about decided that cherry, except for my personal use is too difficult for production.

   Thank you.

   4Runner

1. 
   bones | Apr 28, 2009 03:25pm | #8

   Not if you find a good supplier.  You may pay more but you can find it. You can also use steamed cherry that will be more even but some times the color will be a different hue.  Hard to explain but sometimes you can spot it right off.  Cherry from different parts of the country have different characteristics as well.  In Mo & IL, I noticed that the cherry has a different tint than the cherry here in PA (moved here in Aug).  IT's all wonderful stuff.  I worked with oak for a long time till I tried cherry and now can't get enough.  I will have to admit though that once my recent stash runs out, I may have to go back to oak.  Here in PA they value that Cherry quite a bit.  It's over twice as much as back in IL.  I'm looking for a sawmill now.  Good luck and enjoy no matter what the material.  I keep wanting to work with some bubinga but its definately out of my price range. It's all good!Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

2. 
   4runner | Apr 28, 2009 05:19pm | #9

   Thanks Keith. Sounds like the Mid-west lost a good woodworker.

   4Runner