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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Dawie on July 20, 2010, 08:58:52 am
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I have wanted to ask this for a while, but then get distracted by something else. I read here that quite a lot of you use oil as a finish to your work. I have never tried it and had not heard of it before. Can you guys explain to me what type of oils can be used and how do I apply them and what treatment must I give the wood before/after?
Thanks.
David
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I sand my work prior to cutting down to 220, after I cut I do a hand sanding depending on delicateness (is that a word) fragility. I then remove any sawdust by using either a tack cloth or my air compressor. Then depending on size of the project I dip it in either lemon oil full strength or tung oil which I mix about 50/50 with mineral spirits. I mix with m/s because it helps it dry faster. After it has soaked for a few minute, I place it on a paper towel for a few minutes to let it absorb and drip off the some of the residual oil. I blow off the excess with my air compressor or wipe down with a lint free old t-shirt.
That's how I do it..
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Thanks dunk. Do you mean by dipping, putting the oil in some container so you can lay the wood in it? Or do you do it differently.
David
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I bought a cheap container and dumped the oil in so I can dip the wood projects in the Lemon oil. After I dry it off I use minwax Polycrylic protective finish so the oil doesn't seap out and get on the wall etc. Depending on what your going to do with the project. Get a nice shine to your project with the oil.
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Depending on the size of the object. I can dip puzzle pieces right into the storage jar. Larger pieces I have a toss out aluminum pan I pour the solution over the top of the piece and let it soak in there for a while. I try to do most of my finishing for a week on one day so I can be sure the dust has settled in the air first. LOL
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Thanks guys and now to see what oils are available around this part of the world, will go google a bit later. As I am confound to the pc room today and me thinks tomorrow. Hot hot and more hot here and the pc room has the blower in it.
David.
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I use different methods and different oils depending on the project and the finish I want to achieve. On things like fretwork projects where there isn't alot of flat surface I sand the blank down through the grits from 150 to 220 before I cut. I do a final detail sanding with 320 grit then blow it off. I use BLO (boiled linseed oil) for the finish by either dipping it or wiping it on using a clean soft cloth. If I want a low sheen natural look I will recoat with BLO until it's unform. (usually 3 coats depending on the wood) I let it soak in for about 30 minutes before I wipe off any excess then let it stand until the oil has soaked in before I recoat. If I want a gloss or satin finish I use 2 coats of BLO and a coat of spray laquere or satin enamel. On projects like boxes, bowls etc. I use either tung oil or BLO. If the project is maple I'll use one coat BLO to pop the grain and make it really stand out. I let it stand usually over night. If I want a really high gloss I'll spray 4 or 5 coats of finish lightly sanding with 600 grit between coats. Another spray finish I use is home made which consists of 1 part BLO, 2 parts poly and I thin it with mineral spirits. I don't use straight oil as the first step with this. You can aslo mix it 1/3 parts of each and use it as a wipe on or brush on varnish. Just don't mix up more than you'll use in a couple days because it doesn't keep well. My advice would be to experiment with different oils on scraps from the project before deciding how you want to finish it. I haven't used lemon oil but its on my list of things to try. Another thing I use instead of a tack cloth is re-useable micro-fiber cloths made by scothbrite. After two years they still work great. Just put them in the washing machine and they're good to go again. I bought them at Target or Walmart. I don't remember.
Have fun
Dave
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I tried Castrol GTX...um, didn't seem to look right. ;D
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Maybe it was not the right weight of oil Charlie. LOL
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The best oil to use is tung oil it dries to a hard finish and a low sheen, it should be mixed 50/50 with mineral turps and left to dry, I have not used the dip prosses yet but intend to, I have been useing a small brush, tung oil is dear so I use boiled linseed wich is next best, it darkens the wood a shade more but dries to a good surface, I use this on chopping boards I make as well and apply 3 or 4 coats with a broad brush, this oil can be picked up at a hardware shop
Jimbo
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Hey David. Seems like there are many ways and products to do this. I make a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits in a mason jar. I use one of several metal baking pans or cookie sheets. Pour the oil mixture over the project. Let it soak for 10-30 minutes. Drain off the excess oil then wipe off with a clean lint free rag. I use compressed air to blow the oil off the project if needed. After three or four days I apply several coats of Deft semi gloss spray lacquer.
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I just say, "Screw the whole finish thing!" and throw some paint on it. ha!
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Well Janet, When I'm using a nice piece of hardwood I just can't see painting it. As a woodworker I want the natural color and grain to stand out. I just could not see painting this wood.
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I agree... but my stuff is different. If I made something like that, I wouldn't want to paint it either.
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Why don't you then? you may like playing in oil
Jimbo
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Janet my Dear "Thou Shall Not Paint Wood" Merlin's motto and always has been, except for MDF and the like (man made board).
Merlin
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That is ANOTHER line I am NOT touching!!!
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Thanks every one as soon as temps let up I will go nosing around to see what oils this little country holds. Think I will leave the Castrol to Charlie. Janet you do like to put a spanner in the works ;), don't you :P.?
David
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Dawie, That would be a wrench here in the states ;D
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I personally like Watco Danish Oil. I save meat trays to use for dipping small pieces. It seems to coat even pine fairly evenly. Then I use Howard's Feed-N-Wax for extra shine and protection - especially on puzzle pieces. It seems to protect and help the pieces glide together easier.
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Hey David. Seems like there are many ways and products to do this. I make a 50/50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and mineral spirits in a mason jar. I use one of several metal baking pans or cookie sheets. Pour the oil mixture over the project. Let it soak for 10-30 minutes. Drain off the excess oil then wipe off with a clean lint free rag. I use compressed air to blow the oil off the project if needed. After three or four days I apply several coats of Deft semi gloss spray lacquer.
DG you're right.. There's so many different methods. For me it depends on the project. Plus I love to experiment. The water based product lines are getting more advanced now. But time will tell if those finishes will be as durable as oil based. I haven't used water based much but I've noticed alot of crafters are using water based dyes and finishes to promote their products as being "green". So that might be something for everyone to consider if you are selling. Maybe I'll make that my weekend project and experiment with it and post what I did if anyone is interested.
Dave
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Sounds intresting Dave.
David
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Do post your results Dave...
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Jimbo... i hate oil - gives me hives. OHHHHHHHH... ur talking woodwork. Oh, well, maybe I wood like it on that. I just don't get the whole process. Oil it, let it sit for days, some kind of clear coat. It hasn't sunk in yet. Besides, the only woods I've used are poplar - which to me doesn't look good with a stain... although maybe oil would be different. I have a piece of red oak but I haven't worked much with it. It's like I'm saving it. For what, I don't know.
David... what's a spanner? Did you mean spanker? :o
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I have always used the lemon oil but I am going to give the Danish Oil a shot this weekend. Hope it works well, I like the way the oil's make the color and grain "pop".
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More ways to finish wood than you can imagine. I learn a little every day. 8)
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Hi SP Here is a pic of a practice bowl I made out of an old piece of scrap plywood using danish oil. I was amazed how it popped the grain.
(http://[img width=48 height=48]
C:\Users\User\Desktop\007.JPG)
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LOL or maybe not... I'll have to figure out what size the pic has to be before it will accept it
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Dave that would be 128kb max.
David