Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Feb 02, 2007 04:24pm | #1

   texmark,

   The term oil and shellac describes the classic finish of using an oil, such as tung oil, to first give the wood some depth (or pop the grain as some like to call it) and when it's cured apply shellac as the surface coat. 

   Since white oak is so hard and takes color very evenly, skip the washcoat.

   There's two ways to look at using the same product all the time. The pro to it is knowing it's working properties. You're comfortable with the way it works and looks. It's like having a favorite chair, you're very comfortable.

   The con is not expanding your knowledge or experience. I know it costs money to try new products. I always (strongly) encourage people to make samples with any type of product. You may find one you like better or find easier to work with. You just might find a new chair.

   Concerning the price of the product; why not contact SW and ask them directly. You might hear "the finest ingredients" or "hand made to exacting standards". Who knows?

   Peter

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   texmark | Feb 03, 2007 06:38am | #2

   I live in a town of about 60000 and Lowes is about top of line for ww supplies. Choice of finishing products are very limited. Expert finishing advice is even more limited. No one carries good grade wood. I did talk with SW about their products. I order from them direct now. Very nice people and willing and able to answer question about their products and how they should be used. More and more mail order places the telephone order is handled by a phone answering, ship by product number service. I asked why I should be willing to pay more for their products than their competitors? They said that their polymerized tung oil products contained pure tung oil with no resins etc added. I have only been doing "serious" woodworking for about 13 years since I retired. Read FWW and dreamed of the day I could try it. Before that finishing my projects meant painting them. I build mostly for my own satisfaction and give the work to family and extra good friends. After spending 3 or 4 hundred dollars on claro walnut etc and 2 or 3 hundred hours of work I  consider the price of finishing materials is a very small part of what I have invested in the work. I told my wife (very understanding woman by the way) that buying $8 a board foot figured walnut over the telephone is about like trusting someone enough to shoot dice over the phone with them. I made a jewelry amoire cabinet for my d in law. Figured walnut with a walnut burl top. Finished it by the old fashioned French Polish method. Just because I wanted to try it. I liked  the thought of what she called it. "Instant heirloom"  Pardon the rambling

1. 
   mtria | Feb 03, 2007 10:56pm | #3

   The "rambling" adds a lot to the post. Thanks.