Similar wood to Black Walnut?

[LancsRick]

Been asked by a friend to do a turning project, and I'm going to need a blank around 3"x3"x14" to do it. I'm struggling to find black walnut blanks of that size in the UK, so I was wondering what else there was that looks similar?

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[Sgian Dubh]

Butternut is sometimes used as a substitute, (Juglans cinera). However, it too is a North American wood, and I don't remember seeing it offered for sale in the UK, but you might be able to find a source.

A second one to consider is Peruvian walnut (Juglans neotropica, J. columbiensis, and J. autralis). Again, finding a source may be challenging.

Have you tried searching for European walnut - It too is hard to find, but you might get lucky, and it's similar in appearance? Quite a few think it's more attractive than American black walnut.

I suspect it might be easier to find some 3" thick American black walnut, but it is pretty uncommon, as you've found. You could also consider buying some two inch stuff, machine it down to a bit over 1-1/2" thick and join a sequential run of two 12"+ long pieces together to get your 3" dimension.

I suspect I've not been much help, but these suggestions are the best I can think of. Slainte.

 

[custard]

You could take a pale, medium grained, timber like Poplar or even Beech, and stain it with a Walnut dye. You shouldn't have a problem sourcing 3" x 3" blanks of either of those, and you'll be following a long furniture making tradition of dressing up cheaper woods to resemble something rather more valuable!

But if you'd prefer to play with a straight bat, then there are a few timber yards with 3" and even 4" ABW, but it comes at a price.

http://www.slhardwoods.co.uk/products/s ... sawn-board

Good luck

 

[LancsRick]

Thanks. Might well look at the beech route! Not sure I've got any walnut stain but I've definitely got some black stain.

 

[custard]

Thanks. Might well look at the beech route! Not sure I've got any walnut stain but I've definitely got some black stain.

Mylands do a decent Walnut aniline dye.

http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/M ... owder.html

Raise the grain on the workpiece with hot water, cut back with 180 grit, mix up some stain in water, wipe it on with a rag. Lightly sand or wipe with steel wool when dry. Job done!

Unless you're pretty slick I'd steer clear of spirit soluble dye, water soluble gives you loads of time to even up the colour.

It's not hugely light fast, but as long as you don't put it in a conservatory or in front of a south facing window you'll be fine. Mind you. with the summer we've had the conservatory would probably be fine too!

Good luck.

 

[LancsRick]

It's Chestnut brand Spirit Stain that I've got, so sounds like I might need to replace that (or try on some scrap). Cheers!

 

[SteveF]

how critical is the dimension?

Steve

 

[LancsRick]

It's for a large (14" pepper mill), so it needs to be best part of 3 inches really to look proportionate I'd say.

 

[SteveF]

i have a piece marked walnut
it is 380 x 75 x75

it does have 8 small entry holes in top...long gone
I could send to u if u want

if it is no good then nothing lost nothing gained
if it is ok u can send me something in return..if not ...then no loss

Steve

 

[LancsRick]

Wow that would be very generous, thank you. How dark is it? It's the colour that is very important - effect I'm going for is an Ash/Beech salt mill and dark coloured pepper mill.

 

[SteveF]

i get a pic for u

pm an email address so i can send a decent photo

Steve

 

[CHJ]

Chestnut Spirit stain I understand to be light fast, (Terry would confirm) I use the English Walnut version alongside ABW and can get pretty indistinguishable shades from the variations seen in the wood off-cuts stock I have, it would certainly easily enhance a lighter subject.

 

[katellwood]

These have ABW

http://www.stilesandbates.co.uk/product ... AWALSB_MST

 

[LancsRick]

Perfect, thanks!

 

[n0legs]

I've heard Alder stained with a Walnut stain is quite good.
I haven't seen it done myself, it would be interesting if anyone can confirm this.