Replies

1. 
   HowardAcheson | May 20, 2005 06:39pm | #1

   >>eat into the poly, so he told me to go with a varnish.

   What a load of BS (pardon the language). POLY IS VARNISH. It just varnish that uses urethane resin instead of one of the other resins used in making varnish. The correct name is polyurethane varnish that has been shortened to "poly" by the marketing departments of the manufacturers.

   Varnish is a mixture of resin like phenolic, alkyd or urethane and a drying or semi-drying oil like linseed, tung, or some vegetable oils. This mixture is then heated where the two combine into a new compound called varnish. A thinner is then added so it can be brushed properly.

   I rarely use polyurethane varnish. Poly is a very durable finish in so far as its abrasion resistance. However, it has some a significant downside in its relative clarity, and in its adhesion properties over the less refined grades of shellac, specifically those that contain wax. Further, I have found that phenolic resin varnishes offer essentially the same resistance to abrasion with none of the failings of poly. Phenolic resin is also clearer than poly. I prefer Waterlox, a phenolic resin varnish made with tung oil.

   Howie.........
2. 
   HWG | May 20, 2005 11:42pm | #2

   Urb,

   I made a reloading bench several years ago and finished it with poly, and I don't recall any issues with the gunpowder harming it.  It seems that I recall the case lube sometimes causes finish problems, although I don't recall it attacking the poly either.  I would think that the poly is the most likely of any finish to stand up to it.  Sorry, can't check it now, lost the table in the divorce (just what ever ex-wife needs, a reloading bench!)

   Woody

3. 
   Elcoholic | May 21, 2005 03:30am | #3

   NITROcellulose of course :)

   Why use a film finish at all?  Just oil it and let the using of it determine the patina.  If it gets grungy hit with some steel wool and some more oil.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

4. 
   WillGeorge | May 21, 2005 05:01am | #4

   Finish for reloading bench..

   Stainless steel?

1. 
   UrbanRedneck | May 21, 2005 07:41am | #5

   I'm planning on putting down 4 coats of Tung, with the last coat hand rubbed in and then 4 coats of RockHard Table Top Varnish.  I thought about just the tung but I want something that is pretty glassy to be able to sweep up any powder that spills.  I thought that they tung would leave some grain open(?) to let powder get caught in it.  This is my first major wood working project, which has brought me to really getting into it.  The wife isn't too happy that I found yet, another expensive hobby, but this one pretty much pays for itself.  I think that she will warm up to it when I make the jewerly box that I have planned for her.  It is going to be maple with a Mickey Mouse purple heart inlay.  I figure that the MM inlay can't be all that hard since it is 3 circles that intersect....but I could be wrong on that!! 

1. 
   WillGeorge | May 22, 2005 11:24pm | #6

   I think that she will warm up to it when I make the jewerly box that I have planned for her............. AND take her to dinner to present it to HER!