Wood Finishes & Basic Uses

Wax

A very soft "finish" with minimal protective qualities. Best used as a polishing and preserving agent on top of other finishes or as a minimalist finish to preserve the natural color of wood.

Linseed Oil

A natural oil finish made from seeds of the flax plant. One of the least protective finishes but it is easy to apply and yields a beautiful hand-rubbed look. Like all oil finishes, it's best for items that are not subject to a lot of wear and tear.

Tung Oil

An ancient, natural finish made from nuts of the Tung tree. Slightly more water resistant and paler in color than linseed oil. Often used as the base oil component in other finishes. A good choice if you want the hand-rubbed look.

Oil-Varnish Blend

A very popular "hybrid" finish made by mixing a little varnish with a larger quantity of oil. Easy to apply like true oil finishes but with some of the protective qualities of varnish. Group includes antique oil, teak oil, Watco Danish oil, Nordic oil, Scandinavian oil, and various salad bowl finishes.

Shellac

One of the oldest and most under-appreciated of all finishes. More water and scratch-resistant than oil or oil/varnish-blends but not as protective as varnish or water-based finishes. Also dissolves in alcohol so not the best choice for bar tops. Comes in a variety of colors ranging from nearly transparent to orange/amber and is available in flakes or pre-mixed. Easily repaired and not as toxic as oil-based finishes.

Lacquer

Synthetic cellulose-based finish that is the finish of choice for many professionals. It dries fast, has decent protective qualities (somewhere between oil-varnish blends and varnish), provides excellent clarity and depth, rubs out well, and is fairly easy to repair. It also sprays very easily with great leveling properties. Available in several varieties including nitrocellulose (standard), and catalyzed lacquer (is available with the catalyst added). *see "Conversion" for post catalyzed finishes not used by the average woodworker.

Varnish

A very protective and durable amber-colored finish that holds up well to wear and tear, water, and solvents. Commonly available in three flavors, depending on the resin used alkyd, phenolic, or polyurethane. Negatives include long curing time, noxious fumes while curing, and poor repairability. Also yellows more over time so not the best choice for light-colored woods.

Water-Based

Good choice if you're looking for a non-yellowing finish that's safer for you and the environment. Decent toughness and scratch resistance but not as resistant to water, heat, and solvents as polyurethane varnish. First coat has tendency to raise grain. Water-based finishes typically cost more than their oil-based counterparts.

Conversion

Fast curing finish with excellent resistance to heat, wear, and solvents. Typically used for institutional furniture. Highly toxic solvent and formaldehyde fumes -- a professional grade spraying environment is essential. Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB - expensive, tougher, and more resistant) falls into this category. Lacquers made from this very expensive resin are completely crystal clear and non-yellowing.

Handcut Dovetails - Why Bother?

Woodworking 101
Handcut Dovetails - Why Bother?

by Paul Rolfe (Sawdust, January 2001)

In Norm Abram's televised world of woodworking, nearly every task is performed with power tools, air tools, and jigs. It is a sharp contrast indeed to the woodworking world of Roy Underhill. On TV, Norm is always very calm in his very tidy shop and his joints fit perfectly every time. On the other hand, Roy is seen sweating, working from a very cluttered workbench and things don't always go together just right; but you get the idea just the same. So, here we have two very different approaches to woodworking. Is one way better than the other? Is one way faster than the other? The answers are maybe, and not necessarily.

Most people will agree that working with power tools, in most cases, is faster, requires less physical effort and produces more accurate, reproducible results. Woodworkers that still use traditional methods will tell you that they get tremendous satisfaction from performing tasks by hand. Using hand planes, handsaws, and brace and bits to shape the wood allows them to hear, feel and understand the natural material that they work with. Nowadays, furniture that is built using traditional techniques is perceived as being of high quality and thus valuable. But it is understandable that not everyone wants to take the time necessary to master the skills required. And then, if someone did have those skills, it just takes too long and too much effort to do things like surface and accurately dimension stock when there are tools like jointers, surface planers, and table saws around.

There is one traditional skill that can be easily learned and used in conjunction with modern techniques. That is cutting dovetail joinery by hand. Yes it does take some practice to get consistent results but it can add so much to a project. If you have a dozen or so drawers to build on a regular basis, buy an Omnijig, it does a fantastic job. But if you are building a blanket chest, jewelry box or highboy, try cutting the dovetails by hand. Why bother you say? I can only say, "Try it and you will see." Routers are very loud and big mess generating tools. In the time it takes to set them and the jig up, you could have been well on your way to getting the joints cut by hand and you wouldn't have had to deal with the noise and mess.

The only tools that you need are a good handsaw and couple of chisels. Other hand tools that are helpful are a marking gauge, and sliding bevel gauge or special dovetail marker. The secret to the simplicity of cutting the joints by hand is that you first cut one side, however you want to, and then use that half to mark the other half. So what if all the tails are not exactly the same size and perfectly spaced, that just adds to the uniqueness and charm of the joints. The only real requirement is that the joints have to fit well, and that comes with practice. So get started and have fun with them!

Coated Abrasive Safety Guidelines

1. Eye protection should always be worn when using any machinery-operated abrasive product (A.N.S.I. Standard Z87.1). Body protection should also be worn whenever appropriate; arm guards, leather gloves, and aprons. Loose clothing, jewelry and hair should always be secured before using any powered machinery.


2. Machinery should always be maintained in good working order. Proper electrical controls should be easily reached and in good working order. Safety guards on machines should never be removed. Machinery should be disconnected from the power source before making any abrasive or machine adjustments.
   
   
3. Proper dust control is essential. Always observe OSHA regulations regarding dust collection. Dust masks are recommended to minimize dust inhalation. Dust collection systems should be properly maintained and cleaned frequently.
   
   
4. Never use a coated abrasive product which is cut, creased, or otherwise damaged. Observe proper storage conditions.
   
   
5. Proper machinery use:
   • Always run lap joint belts in proper direction.
   • Jog the machine to start abrasive belt tracking, rather than full-power starts.
   • If unusual ticking or bumping noises are heard on a running abrasive belt, check belt and machine for possible damage.
   • On offhand applications, present the workpiece to the abrasive belt below the center of a contact wheel.
   • Proper belt tension should always be maintained.
   • Belt tracking should be properly adjusted.
   
   

Bill's Custom Woodworks

Master Craftsman Bill Rafferty handcrafts Curio Cabinets one at a time. Being in business for over 20 years, He offers the highest standard of quality control. Bill specializes in Curio Cabinets with mirror back & adjustable glass shelves popular with collectors and businesses for displaying collectibles. All Curio Cabinets are built from solid oak in the traditional style with modern day touches to showcase any collection in style. Color selections include Aged Oak, Dark Walnut, Golden Oak, Honey Maple, or White Wash.

Learn more about Bill’s Custom Woodworks by visiting him online @ http://www.billscustomwoodworks.com.

Sachs Woodcrafts Portfolio & Gallery

When you have a chance, browse to Sachs Woodcrafts online. You’ll see finely crafted products such as turned bowls, bottle stops, cutting boards, and much more. Each work of art is hand crafted and unique in expressing character and charm.

“The Bowl Man” as he is called, also accepts special requests, works with a wide array of wood species turning them into custom designs that make for a perfect gift. He obtains some of his supplies from our very own Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop in Raleigh!

Visit Sachs Woodcrafts and browse the Products, Gallery, Partners, or FAQs. You may even want to read or sign the guestbook.

Troubleshooting Tips for Woodworkers

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• Excessive sanding pressure


• Inadequate dust exhaust


• Excessive belt speed


• Moisture content of wood too high

Abrasives Dulling Prematurely

• Grit too fine


• Excessive sanding pressure


• Wrong product for application


• Belt too stiff for application

Streaking of Workpiece

• Belt loaded or dull


• Sanding pressure too high


• Dust on workpiece


• Overloading due to glue lines or pitch material on workpiece

Abrasive Grit Chart

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Miscellaneous Great Tips for Woodworkers

• Sand lacquer finishes only after the 1st coat to remove dust nibs, runs, etc.


• Sand lacquers also after the final coat to level the surface or as part of rubbing process if high gloss is desired


• Sand varnishes such as polyurethane in between coats to give a rougher surface for the following coats to bond


• Always sand with the grain


• Wipe the surface of the work piece frequently with a soft, cloth or tack cloth


• Use strong light to illuminate the work piece from an angle to see how the sanding is progressing


• Keep sandpaper clean, either by belt cleaning stick or by tapping the sandpaper lightly


• When sanding picture frames, sand the cross sections first, then sand the stiles


• Final sanding on hardwoods is normally accomplished with 180 to 220 grit


• Final sanding on softwoods is normally accomplished with 120 to 180 grit range


• When bare wood sanding, moisten the wood with a wet cloth and allow the surface to dry


• Do the final sanding, then raise the grain, and then sand again with the same grit


• Sanding sealers should be sanded with zinc stearated Silicon Carbide in grit ranges of 220 to 320


• Foam sanding pads, Mac Mops, non-woven abrasive pads also work well when sanding sanding sealers

General Applications for Coated Abrasives

Purpose of Sanding

• Prepare the wood surface


• Clean the wood surface


• "Level out" the first coat of top coats


• Promote good bond between coats on some type of finishes

Polishing

• Final step in finishing using coated abrasives


• 150 grit or finer


• In woodworking, polishing is the final sanding of bare wood prior to staining or finish

Intermediate Sanding

• Grit ranges from 50 to 120 grit


• Stock removal is of medium quantity


• Rule of thumb – Skip only one grit at a time

Rough Stock Removal

• Woodworking requires dimensioning of lumber or glued panels to proper thickness


• Grits 24, 36 and 40

Sanding of Penetrating Oils & Finishes

• Bare wood should be sanded to at least 180 or 220 grit


• Sanding beyond 220 will tend to burnish the wood surface


• Pores will close and "slicken" the surface


• Oil or stain penetration will decrease


• Common to use 400, 600, 800, 1200 grit wet-or-dry Silicon Carbide sheets to "sand in" the oil or stain


• Drives the stain or oil into pores of the wood and smoothes the wood surface as grain is raised


• Grain raising is very common with water-based stains

Tips for Sanding Putty & Filler

• Excess residue of fillers should be sanded with steel wool or a non-woven abrasive pad


• After filler is fully dry, scuff sand with 220 grit Stearated sandpaper


• On closed-grain woods, sand with 320 Stearate to reduce likelihood of cutting through the filler into bare wood


• Putty should be sanded with 180 to 320 grit Stearated paper

Sanding – Finishing Facts

• Sanding and finishing is the least favorite steps when surveying woodworkers
• Sanding and finishing is the absolute most important steps in a project
• Remember: First impression of your project is the most important
• First thing seen: Quality of the finish

Board Foot Calculator

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