Thread: Why didn't anyone tell me?

You didn't ask

There's a lot of mystique out there but getting a good finish is quick and easy. Welcome to the converted.

We thought it would be best for you to find out on your own.


Any photos or threads or should we be looking for them ourselves?

All very well until it gets damp Just sayin'

my mate is comming over to give me some pointer on shellac over the weekend! he gets a great finish with it!

my mate is comming over to give me some pointer on shellac over the weekend! he gets a great finish with it!

Whats old is new again. Some of us have been using it all the time. Now you will have to learn about all the various forms of shellac.

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

I have long been a fan of Danish Oil (actually I prefer a 100% Tung Oil but why be a pedant?) because of it's simple application, durability and ease of repairs. Plus I like the way it makes the grain pop!

Recently I ran out of supplies and had a small consignment of bowls that needed to be finished now. So, to the shed shelves!

Shellawax? Don't think so. Livos/Kunos/whatever oils? Nuh-uh. Brush some dust off a few bottles of asstd. woodturning finishes I bought over a decade ago... and shift them back to the back of the shelf. There are good reasons they're still nearly full bottles after so long!

Shellac? Hmmm... shellac? I use it a lot as a grain filler, but it is s'posed to a good finish in it's own right. Hmmm...

OK. Dab, dab, dab. Whoops! Rub, rub, smear... dab, dab, dab. Hey, this looks pretty good! Dab, dab, dab.

The bowls that needed to be finished "now" back then took several more days than I anticipated... as somehow applying a simple coat of Shellac has turned into a major exercise in teaching myself the art of French Polishing.

The thing is, silly mistakes and all, I think it's easier and quicker to apply than DO as it dries so much quicker, yet has just the same results. As a bonus, I can sit and watch TV with the Missus of a night and dab, dab, dab while she sew, sew, pokes.

I'm now a dozen turnings in and still haven't bought a new stash of DO. Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this before?

For bowls? That will be filled with liquid or used with food? Can one use Danish Oil safely? Shellac, although it is food-friendly, lacks durability in the presence of water. I have not made bowls for use with food but have always assumed that one finished with a vegetable oil, or no finish at all.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

For bowls? That will be filled with liquid or used with food?

Negative. Not for users... these are display pieces for sale, hopefully, through a local gallery.

Made from burls & root balls such that the worst idiot owner would only try to fill with a liquid once, if at all.


(Good point to raise, just the same!)

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

....Made from burls & root balls such that the worst idiot owner would only try to fill with a liquid once, if at all......

Best not to insult the customer until after they purchase the item.... ....better yet.... to not insult them at all.

Ah, humble shellac. I use it on... fairly well everything (I don't make food related things). Enjoy!