Thread: Finishing first box

Nice looking piece Peter.

I reckon it would look good oiled but not sure about the sanding sealer. I've never used it but wonder if it may seal the surface too well and prevent the oil from penetrating. Someone else on here will know for sure.

Diluted shellac is a good sanding sealer, UBeaut White Shellac comes pre-mixed (less mess) and should be diluted with metho. I've also used Feast Watson Proofseal as a sanding sealer followed by their Fine Buffing Oil, you could use virtually any oil over it though. If using the Fine Buffing Oil as a final coat be prepared to put in some effort to get the level of shine you want, it's a good job for a winters day!

Very nice box. Make sure you post some pictures after you've finished it. I'm actually making a few small boxes out of Silky and Redgum at the moment so I'm a bit of a fan.

Cheers,
David

I always use thin shellac as a sanding sealer in preference to Proofseal. After resanding, it leaves a terrific smooth feel, and brightens the look of the timber. Unless it's a very white timber, there's no need to use white shellac - ordinary shellac won't make any real difference to the timber colour.

I prefer oiled finishes to polyurethane or other varnishes. My preference is Kunos.

Nice first time box Peter.

I'm assuming the inserts are Silver Ash and the box is Silky Oak?. I have never seen Silky Oak in any of those colour ranges before.

I find finishing rather tedious, which probably shows up in my finished products . I have not got sick of the matt finish so i just use two coats of Organoil.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I am probably leaning towards the thin shellac and then an oil finish.
I hope to duck over to the Maleny Wood Expo in a few weeks time, so might pick up some more hints there.
(double.d - yes you are correct in the timber choice - I sourced both the Ash and the Oak from a sawmill on the Atherton Tableland many years ago, so it is well seasoned!
Cheers, Peter

If you haven't tried the Kunos at all, it may be worth a go. You will be amazed at how the features and colour will just pop out at you.
You will find it at Maleny wood expo too. A little goes a long way.