OK, I've made 50 little mahogany ring bowls for small gifts, but I haven't finished them. I prefer glow, but my friends seem to prefer gloss. I usually use Johnsons finishing wax instead of carnauba (maybe because somebody gave me a big can of Johnsons and H.F. doesn't sell carnauba bars. 'G') as the third buff in the tripoli->white diamond->carnauba method. Would carnauba add more shine? Pure or mixed? What's your advice and methods in general for a quick and easy finish on small objects of a non-oily wood?
I used to poly every turning, some with stains, too..
I haven't done anything but Buffing for a couple of years, with or without Danish Oil, depending on the wood used.. I love the warm glow that seems to come from inside the wood, as opposed to a plastic coating as on a Wal-Mart bowl.. Folks like the buffed look better and a big plus is that they seem to like the feel better... This IS a touchy-feely market..
Order replacement sticks from Beall or any online place, Arch.. they all have 'em..
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I prefer the Beall brand, others that I've tried feel a little "gummy" and not as hard after buffing.. YMWV
I suspect you're just stirring the pot, but I've found that most average folks prefer high gloss to the more wood-worker approved finishes.
There's no hard and fast rule for it, but it tends to seem that the only folks who are going for a matte clear finish are those who have inherited wealth, and craftsman. Your average customer or gift recipient seems to view shiny hi-gloss as an indication that you spent more time really working at the finish, whether that is true or not.
It's also important to realise that whatever you've made is more than likely going to get used for something when it leaves your protective care. I gave my mother a segemented mesquite dish a couple of years ago that had a wax finish, and went through the whole song and dance about re-waxing it periodically- but even so, it came as no suprise to me that after a year or so, the wax was worn away in most places and it looked like junk. I took it home and gave it an acrylic conversion finish that made it shine like it was french polished, and it still looks like the day I refinished it- even though she washes it in the sink with the rest of the dishes.
It's very easy to get caught up in what your peers are doing, and what they prefer when engaging in something like turning or woodworking, but it's important to bear in mind that the "unwashed masses" who are not privvy to the semi-arcane rules of fine finishing just want something that looks nice to them, and will hold up to regular use and handling. Most folks could care less if you used Minwax poly or pure tung oil, just so long as it looks "right."
Thanks Jesse, for your incisive response and for giving me a chance to explain my 'stirring'. Also thanks to each of you for your responses to this and many other threads that teach beginners and make the rest of us think.
It's good that you all answer from your _own experiences. We aren't parrots on rcw and if 'stirring the pot' means the same as opening the can of your personal woodturning experience then I take some satisfaction in being a "can opener". I'm no Aristotle, it's just the way I was taught my profession and later the way I taught the little I knew. Often there's more attention paid when students share the lecture. I never mean to imply that I know the one answer to my questions. I often do have my own answer, but most questions re woodturning have multiple, often opposing yet valid, answers. and I think we learn as much from sharing our varied but actual experiences as from repetition of 'book learned' established practice. Both have their place, but there's seldom an "always" or "never" on rcw and that's the way it ought to be. Your mileage may vary and it usually does. That's not bad and I'm not being perjarritive! :)
I spent over 20 years selling real estate and probably had to explain why not everyone in the world would want to buy their house with pink walls and green carpet or such at least 5 times a year..
When I was remodeling homes for resale, they were the same color inside and out.. Off white.. Think of it as a blank canvas, and you'll find artists.. lol
A person can spend a lifetime on just finishes, they're endless. I'm a self taught outsider. I started using slow cure gloss lacquer and rubbing it out. Took forever! But on mexican para kingwood it looked like a hologram. When I started meeting other turners that were more "production" minded they showed me thin acrylic "wipe on, wipe off" so they could get them out the door. I've gotten so frustrated with finding the "right" finish and perfecting it I pretty well quit. Till now. I've spent almost 2 yrs. in hiatus learning fireworks building on rec- pyrotecnics. I decided to check on the turners to see if you'all had been "sporged" by these goobs that attacked rec-pyro. You have! Question, do you have a picture dump to post wares on? I'd like to see some of your stuff. I miss the smell of wood. I'll be lurking. Be careful, and stay green! Dan Kaiser Louisville, KY
I think that depends a lot on what finish they use, Tom..
I used to use friction polish because it's quick, easy and instant gratification.. Then, I saw how bowls in light use, like for peanuts or mints or something, would be finished on the outside, but the friction polish wore or chipped off..
I oil and buff now.. it's a fairly durable finish that's easily renewable... YMWV
mac, Thanks for the link. When I learn how to navigate I'll let you know. BTW nice piece of spalt posted as mystery wood. A turner named Dick Seng gave me some real nice spalted oak burl. Most pics. I have are pre-digital so's I'm a bit dated. If that's you working on the Jet, and gray we're about same age. Dan
Hi Dan, Forget the 'perfect finish', quit lurking and pitch in. Once a woodturner, always a woodturner. I pretty much know what a 'goob' is, but I'm not sure what 'sporging' is. Hope I haven't unknowingly been doing it like the guy who 'matriculated' in the Dean's office, right in front of several men & women. :)
Anyway welcome, we are all outsiders here. Maybe you can help protect us from goobs, so please add your input to the rest of the give and take. Good luck.
I personally like glow most of the time. Sometimes the wood begs for a (thin) gloss finish, mahogany and bloodwood come to mind.
My problem is that I've never found a hard THIN gloss finish that is durable and that dosen't change color (yellow) with time. I end up using oil (Watco or something like it) and then wax (Minwax or something like it). I can get the amount of shine I want but it requires maintainence. If anyone knows of a really good hard thin gloss finish I'd appreciate knowing what it is.
Nope. Looks good - does NOT hold up when nuts, dry fruit, chips, etc. are put in the bowl. I tried it - multiple times, multiple formulations - it don't work!
CA (super glue), fast (seconds per coat, three coats is excessive), glass clear, proof for water & alcohol, hard(er) as nails, although may be brittle (espcially if more than two coats). Can be applied on the lathe. Downsides; wood must be very dry or may haze, no fill, REQUIRES ventilation and eye protection.
I understand the guy that started "Crazy Glue" had a coffee table done. CA is popular with pen turners, somtimes with BLO.
Use the type that has about 50-60 seconds (or more) of cure time. for more info, google CA finish
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