Fretwork

The fretwork at the top of this Isaac Wood tall case clock (center) was created to replace a piece that had sections broken out of it. The fretwork was cut on a scroll saw and a simple bead board frame surrounds the piece, which is a nice detail that adds depth to the look. It is made from a piece of Mahogany and is 16.5 inches by 1.5 inches. Scroll down to see photos of the work in process.

Creating the Fretwork

The project started with a life-size template of the design. The template was glued on the wood and holes drilled in each section that needed to be cut out.

After cutting out the fretwork, the edges were sanded to soften them and remove and tiny splinters

Once the woodworking was completed, the piece was ebonized. Ebonizing is a chemical process that uses Iron Acetate (vinegar with steel wool dissolved in it). The Iron Acetate reacts with the Tannin in the wood and turns in black. I pre-soaked the wood in a brew of black tea, which adds additional Tannin to the wood. The tea brew is on the left and the Iron Acetate on the right.

The finished piece has a deep black color.