Thread: Huon Pine slab

Originally Posted by Makka

I have a Huon Pine slab I am attempting to turn into a coffee table. It has one major split and several smaller ones. I am at the moment filling these with sawdust mixed with wood glue and am reasonably happy with the result so far.What I need help with is the finish for the top. After much research I am leaning towards Feast Watson Clear Varnish. Am I on the right track here?

Because Huon Pine is quite an oily timber you need to be careful with what you use. I am not familiar with the Feast Watson product but if it is water based it may have some long-term problems. The items I have made with Huon have used traditional filler and finish of button shellac. Although the shellac solvent is metho the buttons have a high wax content and that seems to have a good affinity with the Huon. I melt the button shellac with a cheapo chisel heated in a blow torch and force it into the cracks then smooth it off. I polish with a solution of the buttons dissolved in metho and use a rubber (fabric pad filled with cotton wool or other absorbent material) to get a smooth, even finish. The white colour of the freshly cut Huon is mellowed by the brown of the shellac and then ages to a rich orangey brown colour as the oil reacts with the shellac. There are many antique items of Huon Pine finished like this that have lasted for over a 100 years so it definitely stands the test of time. I have attached an image of a table I made and filled & finished as described. It is only a few months old and will darken and become richer in colour with time.

Huon Pine refectory table oblique.jpg

Thank you so much for your input.There is so many products out there to choose from I really appreciate your advice.

Originally Posted by Makka

I have a Huon Pine slab I am attempting to turn into a coffee table. It has one major split and several smaller ones. I am at the moment filling these with sawdust mixed with wood glue and am reasonably happy with the result so far.What I need help with is the finish for the top. After much research I am leaning towards Feast Watson Clear Varnish. Am I on the right track here?

Sounds like a worthy project. I wouldn't use a "varnish" on Huon myself, not only because of the high oil content of the wood but also because i feel that poly varnishes have a plastic type feel to them that takes away from the natural warmth of the wood. Just my opinion there, however I have heard many people using shellac with Huon, specifically the white shellac because it won't discolour the pale huon. U-beaut sells a white shellac which would be ideal, add some natural wax to the surface for extra protection and you'd have a beautiful finish.

I would suggest leaving the underside of the table unsealed so that you retain some of that wonderful smell the Huon produces, that is if you desire it. I have heard other users say that the shellac doesn't take away the smell but not sure how that would work since it is effectively acting as a sealer. Try it on an offcut i suppose.

Best of luck with your project and do post some pictures of your work in progress if you can, we love pictures here.

Originally Posted by Lplates

I would suggest leaving the underside of the table unsealed so that you retain some of that wonderful smell the Huon produces, that is if you desire it. I have heard other users say that the shellac doesn't take away the smell but not sure how that would work since it is effectively acting as a sealer. Try it on an offcut i suppose.

I would be a little cautious in sealing just one side, you might find that the slab "cups" rather badly since one side is able to adjust to the atmospheric conditions easier than the other. Just my thoughts, others mileage may vary.......