Replies

1. 
   grant2 | Aug 11, 2008 05:34pm | #1

   I'm not an expert, but I follow the advise of no less an expert than Tage Frid.  In the early '80's I built a bench with hard maple from Tage Frid's plans published a few years earlier in FWW.  I followed his direction and used boiled linseed oil.  It has held up very well over the years.  By coincidence, I just planed & scraped the top again last night & looked up his original article to verify the finish.  I followed the instruction on the BLO can & mixed 2 parts mineral spirits with 1 part BLO, let it sit for 5-10 minutes & wiped off the excess.  It was dry & ready to use this morning.  I don't know that there's any point to doing a second coat, it is a workbench after all.

1. 
   caseman | Aug 15, 2008 12:26am | #3

   Thanks to all for the ideas.  I used a little of both.  I used a prestain (Thinned poly) with a second coat of a natural danish oil.  Looks good.  We'll see how it wears over the next several years.

2. 
   user-1119429039 | Aug 12, 2008 05:54pm | #2

   Dear Caseman,

   Take a look at the article by Lon Schleining from a few years back:
   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignPDF.aspx?id=2882

   David Heim
   Managing Editor
   FineWoodworking.Com