Think of a machinst chest. I made what I’ll call a collector’s chest. It is time to apply finish to the walnut chest.
The boards that make up the 4 sides of the chest are 5/8 inch walnut.
Will use General Finishes oil and urethane.
I will apply it on the 4 boards (top, bottom and both sides), and the front edge.
QUESTION – Should I apply it inside the front edge about one-half inch so that whatever of the inside edge shows has a finish on it?
Or should I leave the inside unfinished? I know not to do the inside of drawers.
RELATED – The drawer fronts are also 5/8 inch walnut. I was thinking I would apply finish to the front, as well as the four edges of the walnut front, but not the back of the front which would be inside the drawer. Should I do the four edges of each drawer front?
If I do the four edges of the drawer front, it would seem to make sense to apply inside the edge of the case a quarter or half inch, but …. I don’t have any experience with this design.
Would appreciate any guidance you might have.
Alan — planesaw
Replies
Where to apply finish
Alan:
I generally apply finish to the front and edges of drawer faces, but not the back of the face. Same goes for face frames, finish is applied to drawer/door openings in the face frame, but not the back (or interior surface) of the face frame. Doors get finished all around. I also tend to put a finish on the exterior back of a piece (though not always) because I believe it helps the piece shed dust, or at least makes it easier to wipe down from time to time. I'm sure others do differently. Hope this helps.
gdblake
gdblake
gd,
front and edges, but not the back of face -- I agree.
face frames,drawer/door openings, but not the back of face frame -- I agree
Doors all around -- I agree
Finish the exterior back of piece -- I was planning on doing that, thanks for the verification.
However, since there is no faceframe, should I apply the finish to any part of the inside? Maybe even one half inch?
Alan
Take Will's advice, shellac the interior
Alan:
Normally I would treat the drawer openings the same as a face frame and apply finish at least equal to the thickness of the drawer face. Given this is a tool chest I think Will has given you good advice about shellacing the interior of the cabinet. Not sure how much of a difference it will make, but it may help cut down on how much moisture is released inside the cabinet during seasonal changes. Nice looking machinist cabinet by the way.
gdblake
gdblake
I am getting consistent advice to at least shellac the inside. Change of understanding for me, but I'll get it a shot.
The chest is actually for an avid fly fisherman. The bottom drawer is deep enough for fly reels. And the top two have ripple foam in them for flys. Will be more of a piece for him to display his collectables or whatever he isn't taking to the stream with him.
Have brass chest handles for each end but were not installed when I shot the photo. First time I have ever done a chest like this so it has been an adventure of learning.
I'll try to remember to post some final photos.
Alan - planesaw
This is all the more reason for thoroughly coating the inside with shellac. The wood acid vapors I mentioned would be particularly destructive to feathers and fiber.
Agree
commercial fly tying chest are all shellac sealed on inside. and trout can tell - they do have smellers :)
The foam will outgass, felt better.
BB
The brass knobs!
Could I comment on the brass drawer pulls? NO? I will still comment. I love metal as much as wood.. I especially love brass..
However, I have to say (without any hate) that the drawer pulls should be the color of pewter from what I see in the posted picture.. But what do I know?......
I would apply some de-waxed shellac to all inside surfaces.. But then again, I am just me and not a true finisher.. The shellac will seal the wood and not leave anything harmful that I know of...
Will
I have always heard one should not put a finish on the inside as the contents will begin to smell like whatever the finish is. Does that not apply to shellac?
Alan
Wanna smell like a pine tree??
Alan,
From all I've heard, Will is right. Not sure if it has to be de-waxed though????? The smell of shellac comes primarily from the alcohol, not the shellac methinks. Once it has cured there is no smell. Not sure how long the smell of the natural wood lingers around after garments have been aired out from being in unfinished drawers???
Then again you could put one coat of Zinsser Seal Coat on the whole chest, inside and out. Then apply your finish of choice to the outside afterwards.
Regards,
No expert on anything here..
All I know is that I apply a NON WAX Shellac on the inside of everything I make (if it has insides that need to be protected such as a drawer or a chest for storage)...
It seals the wood and I have never had a problem using it. Some woods 'stink'!.. Shellac is wonderful in my opinion... I never use shellac that is not wax removed so I cannot comment on it. I only use SealCoat from Zinsser (I think the only product available here in the USA) Not sure if any others?..
Very long ago I made a wooden (fancy) container for my wife's wedding dress. That was in 1962... The dress is still in perfect condition. The inside of the box only has Zinsser SealCoat and the box lid has a 'spring' brass seal. The spring brass is like a 'V' shape and sits into a groove I made into the sides of the 'box'.... I worked with metal and at the time I had many tools to form/work metal...
Every year, I open the box on our wedding day.. It is still, as I remember her wearing, her wedding dress. My wife died long ago. Her wedding dress is still in perfect condition..
All I can say is.. Shellac resin is perfect for sealing wood from most things, except alcohol. And then you can use alcohol with shellac to refresh the finish at anytime needed..
EDIT:
I do have to say that I 'think' I used SealCoat from Zinsser. I 'think' they made it since about 1955? Whatever... My brain is old but I sure remember 1955!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wNK1Jt4JLg
And 1956!...
Rock around The Clock! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fsqYctXgM
And my new edit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9s8U0O0XPE&feature=related
Wood acid?
Steve,
I've never heard of wood acid. Is this something that walnut exhibits, or do all woods have this characteristic?
Chris.. HI!
Could the posters words... 'wood acid' be?..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid
Or something like?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannic_acid
Probably tannic acid
The article says it's present in oak, walnut, and mahogany. I never thought anything of tannic acid before.
I had to make another comment.. Today I watched a video in FineWoodworking about making some 'piston fit' inserts for a small wooden box. I found out that it is a wonderful idea.. Untill the humidity changes. Sort of impossible to remove the 'piston fit' stuff!
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