Another newbee question ... finishes.

[Dust Mite]

What finishes do you prefer?
I'm turning lamp stands to start off with and have some paste beeswax. I'm not sure how long it will last and would prefer a high gloass hard waring alternative.

I could use wipe on poly , but would prefer a less messy process.

I saw this listed on Carbatec's site and wondered if its as good as claimed. Bar Wax (http://www.carbatec.co.nz/hut-woodturning-waxes_c11640)

Or perhaps the Ubeat-stik (http://www.carbatec.co.nz/ubeaut-waxtik_c20878) would be better?

I've also considered Clear Shellac, but having to do multi coats is something like the poly I would prefer to avoid, at least for the current projects.

Any thoughts?

[Mobyturns]

Welcome to the world of turning. :U Unfortunately the finishing - sanding, filling & applying a finish coat - can take much longer than the turning (shaping).

For furniture items like lampshades you do have to go to a durable finish. Waxes don't really cut it IMO. Either a film finish something like - shellac, wipe on poly, lacquer; or an applied oil finish, Danish/Scandanavian oils etc. Oils that may be worth looking at are Kunos Livios or Organoil's "Hard Burnishing Oil". Or look at what the well known makers use - Neil Scobie uses Livios. Each has their pros & cons.

Plenty of info here on WWF's just enter "finish" or the product type in the search box under the menu in the Top RH of the screen and the world is your oyster. :D Other way is to search for books on "Finishing" like the "Finishers Handbook" or Understanding Wood Finishing HC (FC Edition): How to Select and Apply the RIght Finish (American Woodworker): Bob Flexner: 9781565235489: Amazon.com: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wood-Finishing-Edition-Woodworker/dp/1565235487)

[Hermit]

Have you checked out UBeaut's Shellawax (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/shell.html)? Might be worth a look.
It's a hard-shellac-based friction polish applied on the lathe, sets harder than paste waxes, dries immediately and only needs one or two coats to get a good shine.

[Woodturnerjosh]

I'm a big fan of the Kunos oil from Livos but you will need at least 5 coats (this is all done off the lathe). I also find that oils tend to show up problems with surface preparation more than some other finishes (sanding marks will stand out clearly)
But if you (or your customers) are after a high gloss finish that looks like a coating this may not be for you....
Try to find some pictures of work you like the finish on and maybe head in that direction

p.s. I tried many finishes over several years before I settled one that works for me.