Timber Tannin Content

[marcus]

I have some inlay work coming up and need some advice re. timber choice. I will be inlaying light coloured timber into oak, then using a chemical treatment to darken the oak — something that reacts with the tannin, either lye or washing soda or ammonia.

So for the inlay I need a light coloured timber with no or low tannin content that will not be affected by the chemical and will stay light. Boxwood works, but ideally I want something easier to finish and with a more pronounced grain.

So any suggestions for light-coloured (preferably easy to get hold of) low tannin hardwoods?

 

[zb1]

Why not darken the oak first?

 

[twothumbs]

Cherry may be one to try, also Sycamore. Beech? I think also be worth a look. Timbers that you would use for food use may be a clue. Best wishes.

 

[marcus]

Why not darken the oak first?

Will need to plane/scrape/sand the inlay smooth after it is glued in, which would remove colour from surrounding oak...


Cherry's no good unfortunately, it darkens almost as much as oak, surprisingly. Sycamore I don't know, will try it out. I've never liked beech that much.... Was also wondering about lime, but don't have any to hand....

 

[AndyT]

Holly is just as dense as box and can be even whiter. I don't know how it reacts to ammonia.

 

[marcus]

Thanks for your suggestions. I have found that lime is the answer. I got hold of a bit today; it hardly changes colour at all, the grain is right, and it looks gorgeous with the dark oak. Also tried sycamore; it doesn't go very dark, but it does go quite a nasty yellow colour...

Cheers,

Marcus

 

[twothumbs]

Lime was used by the hat trade so perhaps low in any bad effects. Best wishes.