"robo hippy" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am still experimenting with LDD and alcohol baths. I have noticed
that both methods draw color out of the wood. My amber LDD is now dark.
The alcohol was a nice burgundy color after the first pieces of Madrone
went in. I have soaked black and English walnut, big leaf maple,
cherry, and Madrone. Results are pretty much the same except that the
LDD bowls are easier to sand. The alcohol is less messy and slimy, and
easier to drain off. I was wondering about glycerine as a bath. I
was/am considering adding the alcohol to the LDD. The jury is still out
for me. I am considering going back to just drying the blanks on a
shelf in the shop. No mess, no fuss, and the same success rates. I do
turn to finish thickness, and then sand out the warped blanks. I
haven't yet tried the boiling methods.
robo hippy


Bravo for your experimenting. The color of the LDD solution does change as
a result of drawing out lignins from the wood, also the bark if you are
turning natural edged bowls may well dye the formerly yellow/amber/orange a
dark black or brown colour. I have not noticed any transfer of this to the
various types of wood that I have processed through there. Those who
complain about the "mess," are just not handling it properly. Alcohol was
added to the mix also, earlier on and it was determined not to have any
additional beneficient results. I have never tried straight alcohol baths.
Boiling??? And you talk about a mess and a fuss!!!*G*

Leif