All Replies on Black Cherry

DON’T STAIN IT!!! If you’ll put it in the sun after you’ve built the basket. After about 6 to 8 hours it will turn a rich redish brown. If you want it darker keep putting it in the sun, it will only take a few days and then put on a clear finish like pure tung oil, blo, danish oil, or even a poly. just make sure you keep turning the wood to get an even tan.
But it your set on staining, I would sand to at least 320 grit, 400 would be better and then using a conditioner wouldn’t hurt. Cherry is alot like maple, the grain can move around on you and you will either get figure like fiddleback or blotchiness.
I have stained cherry before, but only because a lady paid me to. personally i wouldn’t, cherry is one of the prettiest woods you can work with.

-- Joey, Magee, Ms http://woodnwaresms.com

I think I will give that a shot. Thanks for the heads up!

That is 2 votes for not staining cherry !!!

-- http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/

4th

-- Life used to be soooo much simpler!!!!

5th!!!!! I will echo Joey’s advice. Cherry is my favorite wood with which to work and I always try to include it in any project that I do either as the primary wood or as an accent of some sort. It has such warm, rich look that simply does not need additional “help” from stain.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine

6th.

7th.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

OK, I’ll jump in and be number 8.

Please post pictures when done.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

Number 9

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Why not paint it? Just kidding, I agree with all the previous.

-- Jeremy, Saratoga, NY

Since you’re doing test pieces, at least TRY the pre-stain conditioner. It’s purpose is to raise the grain, which in turn should minimize the blotchiness that some people don’t like about cherry.

-- Kinky Friedman on gay marriage: "They should have the right to be just as miserable as the rest of us."

Cherry is way to pretty to stain. If you are going to use stain, then why use cherry? Use something cheaper and stain it whatever color you want.

-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us

I’ve got them in the sun as I type :-) I have some before pictures and will take some more after they tan a bit.

Mike
Orlando, FL

Danish oil

-- Owner of custom millwork shop

Staining blkcherry is a sin…aged blkcherry is like a fine wine it only get better with time…setting it in the sunshine will speed up the darkening process which comes naturally….Blkcherry

If you must stain it seal it with shellac first it really works well and you don’t get the spotting/splotching that you get when putting stain or other finish directly on the wood. I’d seal it with shellac and put it out in the sun and watch the “sun staining” until it gets as dark as you like then you can put on the Poly….just seal it with shellac no mater what you do with you cherry.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................