Reply To: BLO

Here’s something to consider as you decide what finish to use. Just about the very first thing Paul said to us was that learning woodworking is learning about risk. The further along you are on a project, especially a complicated one, the larger the risk on each step. Certainly, there is risk in applying color and finish and most of us dread it. Every time you cut a joint or flatten a surface, you gain experience that carries to future work. The same is true of finishing. Finishes are applied layer by layer and are tuned layer by layer. You learn to correct and adjust just as you learn to correct and adjust joinery. How you do this depends upon the finish and color-method you choose. So, two comments. First, finish everything you can, even “practice joints.” Finishing changes he appearance of the joint and surface and gives you a better idea of what real tolerances are. Second, look around for things built by others you aspire to build and pay attention to how they are finished. Are they done in BLO or other oil? Brushed shellac? Padded or polished shellac? Lacquer, whether solvent based or water? Figure out where you want to end up, and start using that finish. Don’t pick what is easy, quick, or “good for a beginner.” What’s more important is what can be done safely in your shop considering fumes/toxicity, flammability, and dust production, and what can be done effectively considering temperature, humidity, and limits on drying time as dictated by dust settling onto the finish, lack of access to your shop during finishing, or issues related to keeping temperature under control. Figure out where you want to end up moderated by what can be done in your shop, and start doing that.

Regarding a bench, I’m not sure I’d put finish on mine. If I did, it would probably be Waterlox or Arm-R-Seal depending upon which was sitting around and nearest the end of its shelf life. But, I don’t think I’d put finish on. Ah…shelf life. If you use Arm-R-Seal or Waterlox, get a can of Bloxygen or otherwise figure out how to eliminate oxygen in the head space of the can or you’ll throw a lot away. I buy only as much as I’ll use short term despite the higher price per volume.