I am building jigs and accessories for my shop. Some such as the sawhorses and the outfeed table are not critical for accuracy. Others such as 2 miter jigs for the tablesaw are very accurate.
My question: should I put a coat or 2 of varnish on these items?
The shop is in a daylight basement in the southeast U.S.
Replies
I think that this is strictly a personal preference.
For myself, I sometimes put a quick washcoat of shellac on something that I plan to use a lot, and not change often, like my medium and large cross cut sleds, just to keep them clean. Others like my mortising jig, which I'm continually changing, tweaking, revising, that never gets shellac.
Mike
z3 ,
May depend on what materials you use , mdf, prefinished plywood? solid stock or Melamine , it's hard to be specific but you could not hurt the jigs by sealing them up but it prolly won't change much either but they would look nicer .
regards dusty
Mostly plywood with hardwood add-ons.
Your comment about them looking better sways me. The basement has concrete block walls and a concrete floor. Any aesthetics I can add is a plus.
Ditto Old Dusty.. depends on the material. I use MDF for a rear extension talbe and coat with 3 coats of poly over and under. With about a zillion plywood jigs I've accumulated I don't bother. If you want to pretty up.. coat them as already stated as the dust will blow off better with a leaf blower at the end of the shop day. ha.. ha...Sarge..
Woodworkers' Guild of Georgia
I like "pretty" jigs. They make me feel like I'm going to make something equally pretty with them.
That was funny Ralph ,
soon to be , Ralph's Song ,
my jig's feel pretty ,,,so pretty ,',','
" soon to be , Ralph's Song , my jig's feel pretty ,,,so pretty ,',','"and I am witty,,, so witty...Chris @ http://www.flairwoodworks.com and http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com)
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Okay, guys, open the doors and windows. The fumes must be getting a bit thick!
Thanks to all who answered. Some good points were made.
Perfect. They've been asking if they could have a theme song. ;-)
I don't bother sealing saw horses and such, but any jig that slides or stock slides over benefits from a finish. If you do apply a finish, do the underside of sheetstock too . I have an mdf outfeed table that I shellaced 15 years ago, still in decent shape .Another benefit to a smooth finish is glue comes off easier, the outfeed table often seconds as a glue up table.
mike
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