Child safe finishes
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- This topic has 4 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 3 months ago by Larry Geib.
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28 January 2018 at 7:47 pm #455450
Hi,
I run a woodworking class for small children and I was curious about safe finishes. Currently we use mineral oil and beeswax/mineral oil paste. What other options should I explore, besides paint?
I’ve experimented with Danish soap finish, but have never managed to get the correct ratio. Our workshop is outside, would shellac be a safe option? Thanks for the help!
-Scott
28 January 2018 at 8:21 pm #455479Orange ( unbleached) Shellac is on the USDA list for edible finishes, but if you mix flakes and the kids apply it, it’s probaly better to use booze, and not denatured alcohol. That drives the price up. Alcohol is denatured with methyl alcohol, ketones, or acetone. None are good to handle.
It is used to coat fruit, pills, and M&M’s candy.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Or%20Shellac%20Technical%20Evaluation%20Report%20%282014%29.pdfI just checked the Bulleye MSDS, and it is denatured with Isopropyl alcohol and Methyl Isobutylene Ketone.
I expect they evaporate, but are still a hazard when applying.You can an use flax seed oil, which is the edible form of linseed oil, or walnut oil with the beeswax, and add a little carnauba for hardness and shine. Both polymerize, unlike the mineral oil, but walnut oil takes a long time. They don’t easily go rancid, a you will smell if they do.
I get Walnut oil at the health foods store. Yummy on salad. Nut allergy alert.
Caution with oil soaked rags, though I doubt walnut oil is much of a spontaneous combustion issue.Coconut oil (almost) never goes rancid but It doesn’t polymerize.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Larry Geib.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Larry Geib.
28 January 2018 at 9:15 pm #455535This is helpful, I need more education on finishing in general.
To be clear, mixing flakes (w/ cheap booze) would be better than the Bullseye as far as the kids applying it?
I have made a mineral oil and beeswax paste( the kids like applying it with their hands), could I just make another batch and sub in flaxseed/walnut/coconut oil?
28 January 2018 at 10:21 pm #455588To be clear, mixing flakes (w/ cheap booze) would be better than the Bullseye as far as the kids applying it?
Hah.
Well, you may have to monitor their consumption.and a good single malt would work as well.
The good stuff is straight grain alcohol at 190 proof. The less water the better.
https://organicalcohol.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhrbTBRCFARIsACY7MW2gV3Sg-IuO7XgYs_PdjB35I73AGxmrtckwWlU_crCpjdElBJQZGoQaAogiEALw_wcBWhat kind of neighborhood are these kids from? 🙂
The Vegetable products work well as a beeswax mix. They are chosen for resistance to going rancid. I’ve never had it happen.
Other oils work. burt’s bees lip balm is just olive oil and wax.Just store it cool ( my basement shelf works) and away from light.
Keep the unmixed oil in the fridge. I mix small batches. I fill a baby food jar 1/3 with wax pellets and top off with the oil. That gives maybe 1:4-5 ratio, but might be too stiff for you. Just experiment.
And coconut oil is like Crisco at room temp, but turns liquid in your hands.
I just microwave it 30 seconds at a time. Flash points are 350°F and the wax only needs to be 165°F to melt, so there isn’t much danger. Or just put it in boiling water.
28 January 2018 at 10:49 pm #455601I forgot to mention. For non edible applications, tallow and beeswax are a great finish. Some find the odor a bit strong when they apply it, but that dissipates. Great for wood planes and handles. Roy Underhill uses a 1:5 mix that has a texture like shoe polish.
It was quite the fad to make grease boxes to lubricate your planes and saws.
http://villagecarpenter.blogspot.com/2010/02/roys-grease-pot.htmlBut it can go rancid, ( never had it happen, though I’ve had a tin for several years) so I don’t use it for bowls and utensils.
Tallow was used in the old days for pemmican and other long term storage foods.
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