Replies

1. 
   stancalow | Nov 14, 2003 05:07am | #1

   crp

   nothing, or only shellac if you must

2. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 14, 2003 05:10am | #2

   CRP,

   Shellac for a few; if you're doing several, sprayed lacquer.

   Good luck,
   Paul

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
3. 
   notDusty | Nov 14, 2003 06:37am | #3

            crp ,              I'm with jazzdogg on using lacquer .The smell generally flashes off within a week or so . Little wear and tear occur inside a drawer on a case such as a dresser.I have several chests that I made over 25 years ago and the insides of the drawers look like the day I lacquered them.

                      good luck              dusty

1. 
   BobSmalser | Nov 15, 2003 12:19am | #6

   Crossgrain Red Cedar raised panels for bottoms and no finish for me, thanks.  A tad of parafin wax on the slides, tho.

   http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/2594265/36624721.jpg

1. 
   notDusty | Nov 15, 2003 04:08am | #7

             Bob ,

        True for a reproduction piece , your way would be appropriate . For pieces that are sold to customers that are not repros, I could never get away with that. Gosh forbid if something ever were to spill into or otherwise , the drawer would be vulnerable to stains and soils , not to mention the fact that some garments may catch on a splintery surface. Really it depends on the application .Aromatic cedar IMHO should never be sealed , it would defeat the purpose , I would agree with that .

1. 
   BobSmalser | Nov 15, 2003 04:35am | #8

   No problem.....shellac then for me. 

   I've sold a few things over the decades and I honestly don't remember ever discussing it with a client.  But I didn't build to order, either.

   Edited 11/14/2003 8:38:03 PM ET by Bob

4. 
   HowardAcheson | Nov 14, 2003 07:49pm | #4

   Traditionly, the inside of carcases and the part of drawers that are inside the carcase were not finished. So, that is a perfectly acceptable option. Drawer insides were lined with paper.

   If you want to finish the inside of a carcase or drawer, do not use an oil based product. Oil based finishes off-gas almost forever and the odor permeates cloth and clothing. Use only waterborne or shellac. Sometimes lacquer is used but some lacquers have a lingering odor.

5. 
   wgsdvm | Nov 15, 2003 12:06am | #5

   I pretty much use ash or birch for my drawers. 

   I often times use a waterbased poly on the insides.  It makes the drawers insides silky smooth, though I agree that bare wood is definitely ok too.

   I also have used oil based wood conditioner to get some color/character out of the wood, let it dry for 24 -48 hours, 0000 steel wool, and buff.  I never had a lingering smell with that option too.   

6. 
   hammer1 | Nov 17, 2003 08:21pm | #9

   Does your tung oil smell? Might as well use it up. It's a lot easier to wipe on than to spray a finished piece.

1. 
   scooter1 | Nov 18, 2003 12:15am | #10

   It seems to me that any oil or varnish finish has lingering order issues. Thats why I use Shellac.

   Mix up a 4 lb cut, and the next day when it is dissolved flood the s h i t out of each drawer, wait about 15 minutes and wipe it down with an alcohol soaked rag. Two applications should do.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934