I have a couple of pieces of that beautiful black Ebony.  I decided to turn some down for parts of an ornament.  Throughout the turning, I kept thinking I was turning acrylic.  This led to a serious problem when I got to the smaller diameter pieces. After all, it is wood and does have flaws. If there is a weak place, you won't know it till you find it the hard way. I've had to improvise several times and still not sure if it will make it thru the process. I'll post a picture if it does. 

 If I had any hair, I would have pulled it out by now

Turned my first ebony (brazillian) about a month ago and that is the hardest stuff I have ever tried. Did turn well with sharp tools just slow going for a 2 inch finial.

I did get it done, but only after some creative repair work.  The thinnest part was unstable and broke a couple of times. Possibly old wood. ???

I'll finish it tomorrow and take a picture. I used the red stained plywood and it too is unpredictable. Some areas are nice, smooth and even colors. Others aren't. You'll see when I post the pictures. When I said I kept thinking it was acrylic,  I meant that the color was consistent and black, unlike most other wood. I was surprised that the small dia pieces broke off so easily. There again I think it may be just this piece of wood.