Replies

1. 
   BG | May 22, 2003 04:05am | #1

   JMLCE,

   I used Shellac...nice finish and easy to refinish when needed..good luck and congrats

2. 
   AlanTurner | May 22, 2003 05:23pm | #2

   I recommend a thin wiped varnish as the shellac tends to pick up rings from the martini glases.

1. 
   Mikentn | May 22, 2003 05:48pm | #3

   Rings from a martini glass shouldn't be a problem, I was planning on incorporating a cupholder right next to the Record vise. Thinned varnish alone, or an oil / varnish mixture? I finished an earlier utility bench with polyurethane and it worked out well, but for this bench I'm searching for a more practical wiping finish.

   Edited 5/22/2003 10:48:52 AM ET by jme

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 22, 2003 06:48pm | #4

   Aside from my earlier, flip answer, I would go with a wiped varnish.  I would not add oil.  Thin the varnish, a good quality one, and very fresh, with a bit of mineral spirits or naptha, wipe it on, sand it in a bit while wet if you like, and then rag it off.  2 coats or so, top and bottom, and more over time as needed.  You don't want much of a build on this, just a quiet sealer for moisture content control, plus ease of repair.  With Shellac, with each coat melting the last, more coats, unless you are spraying, are a pain.  There is already oil in varnish, the more the closer to spar, and the less hard the finish.  Here, you do not want a soft finish.  I would not wax it.  You want wood to sit on the bench, not slide around.  Plus, to repair, you would need to remove the wax, a PITA.  If the varnish gets too stiff as you try to wipe it off, just add a bit of thinner or naptha to your wiping rag.  Naptha will flash faster, which for a project of this size is not necessarily advisable.

   Good luck.

   Edited 5/22/2003 12:15:13 PM ET by s4s

1. 
   Mikentn | May 23, 2003 03:55am | #5

   Thanks, this is just the kind of advice I was hoping for. I've played with woodworking for years, but never enough to learn how to do good work correctly. I've just finished rebuilding an old cast iron Craftsman tablesaw from the 50's, and I'm slowly gathering a few woodworking tools to play with. This forum is a great help for this middle aged rookie.

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 23, 2003 03:06pm | #6

   As I grew up in the 50's in elementary school, my Dad's TS was a 9" Craftsman, and for special cuts he ran a hollow ground blade.  Remember them?  That is the TS that I learned on.  Not a bad saw.  I din't grow up in a rough stock hardwood home.  Projects were simpler.  Lot of plywood and screws.  When I see stuff of that character, I still think of the 50's.  Birch plywood, corner braces, etc.       Different times.  Heck, my grandfather, a civil engineer, built his own bandsaw.  3 6" wheels, probably a 6" depth of cut, but he used it for light scrolling only.  Wish I had pix of it.  Garage shop in SW Mo.  Wonderful memories.

2. 
   Mikentn | May 24, 2003 02:04am | #7

   My dad made furniture for a while after he got out of the Army, I still have a cedar coffee table he made, and the table saw he built too. It's no longer functional, but it's a good reminder that I don't need the latest bells and whistles to do good work, just a lot of patience and more practice. Thanks for your help.