Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Jun 12, 2006 03:27am | #1

   My tool handles get a 50/50 mix of BLO and mineral spirits, passed down from my Grandfather to Dad to Me.  Seem to work fine.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   bps | Jun 12, 2006 04:38am | #2

   Thanks, that looks good! I'll do upp a few sticks tonight.

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 12, 2006 06:12pm | #3

   Raw linseed oil has been the traditional treatment for tool handles.  It is claimed that handles treated that way do not cause blisters and they are not slippery to sweaty hands.  However, linseed oil, whether raw or "boiled", will not provide any protective coating.  Water and watervapor goes right through linseed oil.

   Most tool handles seem to have a thin lacquer finish on them.  I guess that you could lightly sand them and then apply a couple of coats of a poly varnish.  However, varnishes tend to be slippery particularly if your hands sweat.

   No matter what you put on the handles, if they are left outdoors exposed to the elements and UV from sunlight, the finish will not last.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 12, 2006 08:36pm | #4

    However, linseed oil, whether raw or "boiled", will not provide any protective coating.  Water and watervapor goes right through linseed oil.

   ;o)   Ah, Howard, that's NO problem in Denver. There is NO water vapor!!!Gretchen

1. 
   bps | Jun 12, 2006 09:03pm | #5

   Your correct! Only water here is from my irrigation sys.

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 13, 2006 04:27am | #6

   >> Ah, Howard, that's NO problem in Denver. There is NO water vapor!!!

   Guess I must be skiing on frozen martinis. 

   Seriously, I guess I would probably just go with raw linseed oil.  On further thought, I'm not sure that any finish is necessary.Howie.........

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jun 13, 2006 06:39am | #7

   Sand the handles.  Wet sand the handles. 

   Slather on a coat of boiled linseed oil, wipe off the excess.  Repeat every day for a week.

   Slather on another coat of blo, wipe of the excess.  Repeat every week for a month. 

   Slather on another coat of blo, wipe of the excess.  Repeat every month for a year.

   Slather on another coat of blo, wipe of the excess.  Repeat once a year.

   That's how I did our paddles.  We can spend all day, day after day, working those paddles and never a blister.  One day we went with a friend who had a varnished handle on his paddle.  OUCH, he was a hurting puppy.

2. 
   Gretchen | Jun 14, 2006 04:27am | #12

   There is NO water vapor!!!

   Guess I must be skiing on frozen martinis. 

    

   Relative humidity? = water vapor.Gretchen

3. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jun 13, 2006 02:07pm | #8

   EdHarrow has a good recipe. However, dry air & sunlight are harder on handles than the conditions his oars see. Recoating annually is a good idea for garden tool handles. Daily cleaning off dirt & storing them in a sheltered place will preserve them better than any coating. Perhaps you need a tool cart?

   Cadiddlehopper

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jun 13, 2006 09:40pm | #9

   LOL, perhaps I should add the universal disclaimer, YMMV.  ;-)

1. 
   cadiddlehopper | Jun 14, 2006 12:05am | #10

   Will my feelings be hurt when I learn the meaning of YMMV?Cadid

1. 
   EdHarrow | Jun 14, 2006 12:31am | #11

   Oh I don't think so.  "Your Mileage May Vary."  ;-)