Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 18, 2004 01:40am | #1

   The really high dollar gunstocks are finished with hand rubbed linseed oil. Very thin applications, lots of rubbing, and many coats. I saw a discussion of stock finishing once that said a lot of people say linseed oil isn't waterproof, and that's true, the way most people put it on, but once you get up in the range of two dozen coats, it starts showing quite a bit more water resistance. That was probably in the Gunsmith Kinks series of books from Brownell.

   I don't guess you're likely to need a water resistant picture frame, but then again, you're not likely to need a very durable finish of a picture frame, either. So if bringing out the figure is the main thing, oil is the way to go. You might like the color of tung oil better than linseed oil.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Jan 18, 2004 04:49am | #2

   Thanks for your response.  I'll get started tonight.  What's the difference in color between linseed and tung?  I like the gold hues in walnut, which would bring that out more?

    

    

   Edited 1/17/2004 8:51:19 PM ET by Dirt Stirrer

1. 
   keith1947 | Jan 18, 2004 11:11pm | #3

   hello .Dirt Stirrer.

   tung oil is almost clear,giving a sheen to the grain and linseed oil will give a golden hue to the timber, but the secret to both is LOTS of thin coats . I seem to remember reading years ago that good quality gun stocks were burnished (wood rubbed against wood).

               There is a letter in this months FWW.on using Walnut Oil as a finish .I have a customer who is unable to live with resins /chemical adhesive etc and over the last six years I have made about 12 items (bookcases ,wardrobes ,chest of drawers ,doors etc .)all treated with Walnut oil . as all the items have been made in OAK or BEECH I .can only speak of these timbers but the finish is very nice.

                                        all the best

                                         tea bag.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Jan 19, 2004 12:31am | #4

   Tea Bag,

   Now thats a unique moniker.

   When would they have burnished the stocks, before the finish, or sometime in the finishing process?

   Walnut oil?  I'm going to have to try that out.  I put the first coat of linseed on this project last night, looks good.  How does the color of walnut oil compare to linseed or tung?  Thanks for your response.

1. 
   MichaelPB | Jan 19, 2004 09:01am | #5

   It is amazing the myths one hears about gunstock finishing!  I make gunstocks for a living and there is more BS out there than you can shake a stick at.

   Burnishing was something that was done around the turn of the century and was called spooning.  They crushed the grain with their mess spoon and it did result in a glossy finish but a rather delicate one.  Since all they had was linseed oil, which is not too impervious to water, get them wet and the wood would swell.

   Very few stockmakers still use pure linseed oil, and even fewer only use linseed oil.  Most seal the wood with something modern, I use Truoil, a polymerized oil to seal the grain and sometimes do the complete finish in it.  Other times I seal the wood with two coats of Truoil and then a couple of coats of linseed with a dryer.

   Now, if your interested in using wierd oils there IS a gunstock book you REALLY need. It is called, Gunstock Finishing and Care, by Newell.  It has a really cool list of 100s of oils and which dry hard, semi hard, and not at all.  It can be had pretty cheap from ebay or other sources.

   Michael

2. 
   keith1947 | Jan 21, 2004 12:36am | #6

   hello dirt stirrer.

   I picked Tea bag  because i'm a twenty a day man (teabags ).

                I am sorry but the memory of burnishing is only filed in the brain cells from years back together with the sawdust.

                    when I have used Walnut oil on Oak or Beech it brings out the grain with a slight golden colour not unlike Danish oil (if a bit lighter).If you try it on a sample and don't like it you can always use the oil on your salad (eat the stock).

                                        all the best Tea bag.

          

3. 
   dirtstirrer | Jan 21, 2004 02:52am | #8

   Tea Bag, you know, coffee tastes better :) 

   I figured Michael would be along to straighten us out, thanks Michael.  I am going to try some walnut oil on something.  Half the fun is trying new stuff. 

   Take care,Steve

2. 
   SEBDESN | Jan 21, 2004 02:44am | #7

   >There is a letter in this months FWW.on using Walnut Oil as a finish.

   It does polymerize (sp), and you can also use it in salad dressing, very French but bitter! Have used it a few times for both applications.Better for finishing however.

   Bud