GOIN FROM CUTTIN TO FINISHIN....

[Danny]

Is it just me or do some share the same feelings....First for the past WINTER Burrrrrr! months I have cut 19 different projects.  Now Spring is here and its Flip Flop n Short whether.  Been doin the spray varnish and waiting n waiting for things to dry....BEFORE....more fine sanding n start the sprayin all over again.  I do the three time thing.  I'm still cuttin in the mean time.  I will NEVER get caught up.  Whew!  Its every year like this and was wandering if any experience this or is there a BETTER way?
                  Later....  Danny  :+}

[dgman]

Hey Danny, I usually finish my pieces before I start the next. Or at least apply the boiled linseed mixture. Then while the oil is drying I can start the next project. I use a rattle can lacquer as a top coat. It drys real fast, so I can apply up to three coats in an hour. I don't use sandpaper between coats. Instead I use a piece of brown paper bag to level the finish between coats. After the oil is dry, Topcoat is dry within an hour!

[newtoscroll]

dgman,  I just got a gallon of blo from home depot.  I apply it full strength what do you do?  U have been so helpful with all your ideas.  Thanks.
ps  Danny you are great too.  Your thoughts are well composed and always enjoyable to read and relate to.

[Danny]

Hey dgman....All I can say is Wow!  Where have I been for all these years with doin the same ole thing year n and year out with the way I mentioned.
Can you please explain the BOILED LIMESEED MIXTURE TO ME??  And also the rattle can lacquer and the reason for using a brown bag??  Guess what a person learns years ago stays as the way, but I have been reading your posts and I kind of am aware that you are some type of teacher in our craft.
....SO....  I really feel deep in my heart that its time for me to learn a different way to finish my projects.  And P.S. I see that you live in the beautiful state of California and I would guess that you experience better Scrolling whether than we do here in Alabama.  Looking very much forward to reading your next post.  Later....  Danny  :+}

[dgman]

Here is my finishing method. I use a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits. I do buy both by the gallon. I mix and store the mixture in an old mason jar.
I use old metal baking pans to soak my project in. If the project does not stay fully submerged, I use a cheap chip brush to keep the wood wet. I let it soak for five or ten minutes. Using nitrile gloves or rubber gloves, remove the piece from the oil and let the oil drip back into the pan. Use a clean lint free rag to wipe the residual oil off. I also use compressed air to blow the oil out of tight areas. I then let the piece dry off on an old baking cooling rack. Make sure to wipe off all the residual oil. depending on the humidity, let this dry for three to five days.
After the oil is dry, I use Deft semi gloss spray Lacquer as a topcoat. It dries very fast, and can apply up to three coats in an hour. If you have a run or a high spot. I use a piece of brown paper bag to even out the finish. The paper is equivalent to about 600 to 1000 grit, and does not leave a gritty mess on te wood. I will use a brush to clean off the debris and the apply another coat. After the final coat, use the brown paper bag to buff out the finish. Thats it!

[yyyyyguy]

dgman, I used hickory for a project, tried one w/o linseed oil, one with, the difference was amazing,it really gave the piece  an attractive color, first time for me with linseed oil (I used it straight, is that not so good?) just a warning I'm sure you won't have to worry about - Ahhh, don't try drying it off with a paper towel, we live and learn

[Danny]

Well dgman I shall say I will purchase the needed products and give it a try and see what happens.  Having a small inside area to work with bothers me if by using your method and having to let the project set and dry for as you say 3 to 5 days would be a problem....BUT....I will attempt it and down the road I will let ya's know how things worked out.  Thanks again  Danny :+}

And NewToScroll....Thank you for your kind words....  Keep on posting and remember there IS NOT A STUPID question.  I learned....  Danny  :+}

[scrollsaw22]

ah...DG reveals some more to this with the brown paper bag..never thought of that, thanks!  I agree, the blo does bring out the color of the wood!

[dgman]

Pete, Yes, The oil brings out the color and grain of the wood. Some people us lemon oil and Danish oil. All oils will pretty much do the same thing, but when you compare the price for lemon oil or danish oil, The BLO mix will always win out.
The reason I mix mineral spirits is it thins out the oil. It goes on easier and wipes off faster. But most important, It drys faster.
Yes, you can use it full strength if you want.
Now for the Warning! Do not leave oily rags in a bunch or throw them in the trash as they can spontaneously combust! I lay them in a single layer across the edge of a trash can and let them dry for 24 hours, then you can toss them in the trash.

[ChuckD]

I would not recommend Linseed oil by itself.  It will take a long, long, long time to dry. In fact it will be a while...  The mixture is what makes it good. and it does bring out the grain.  Good Luck

[Rapid Roger]

Well dgman I shall say I will purchase the needed products and give it a try and see what happens.  Having a small inside area to work with bothers me if by using your method and having to let the project set and dry for as you say 3 to 5 days would be a problem....BUT....I will attempt it and down the road I will let ya's know how things worked out.  Thanks again  Danny :+}

And NewToScroll....Thank you for your kind words....  Keep on posting and remember there IS NOT A STUPID question.  I learned....  Danny  :+}

This depends on your shop and how much room you have and how it is arranged but....I have taken some heavy gauge wire (think clothes hanger wire) and bent it into an L shape with a small hook on the long end and hooked the short end over a shelf so that the small hook is hanging down.  I sit something (heaver) on the short wire end to hold it, and hang my cuttings from the hook. I can have 15 or 20 items drying while I'm cutting more.  Just another strange idea from me. 


Rog

[GrayBeard]

Dan converted me to his method months ago and I am a DEVOUT convert! I did all the finishing for my Christmas presents this year on my basement workbench and a 2' x 6' folding table I got a Costco as a move-around auxilliary work table. We changed our kitchen around and I 'inherited' the older stainless steel drying rack.
Procedure...lay project in old baking pan of BLO mixture, drip dry, can of compressed air (buy in lots of three for computer repair use) to spray out tight areas, wipe with old tee shirt, stand up in dish rack, turn on cheapo fan clipped to edge of table, let dry overnight with fan blowing, Next evening start spray and buff procedure. The area is near the furnace so it is warm and dry. and things dry in 24 hours due to constant air movement from fan.
Summer procedure will be the same since the basement is in the air conditioned part of the house and the air is nice and dry (remember the midwest gets dam humid too!).

Since I am relatively new to the hobby and not a lifetime 'wood worker' I learn something new all the time and readily adapt if it seems workable.
Old Dogs DO learn new tricks!

Mixing the BLO and MS in the 50/50 ratio allows for better and faster penetration into the wood and greatly hastens the drying time.
I had some Danish Oil on the shelf and since it already contains some MS I tried a 75/25 ratio and it worked almost as well, used up the expensive stuff, it went further and I got it used before it turned to a semi-solid sticky mess.

~~~GrayBeard~~~

[Gabby]

Neat part about this thread is you can learn something every day!!!

I think this thread should be moved to the Tips page. Some great information that might be missed in General talk.
What say you Russ?
Gabby