Son's project

Bogue Chitto · April 16, 2012, 12:41:44 PM

My son had a project for school. We went from log in the swamp to saw mill to finished project. But not quite finished yet. We are working on a small table made from sinker cypress pulled out of the swamp behind our house. The question is what is a good finish to put on sinker cypress that will show the grain real well?

Tripp · April 16, 2012, 02:19:40 PM

I like a hand rubbed Tung oil finish. Especially on reclaimed heart pine. Not sure how it would look on cypress though. If you use tung oil, carefully dispose of any rags you use to put the finish on. They can spontaneously
combust.

Tripp

beenthere · April 16, 2012, 02:32:00 PM

I vote for oil finish as well.
The best one for me is Watco Danish Oil. Easy to work with, wipes down easily, is easy to add applications, and does set up fairly quick.
I use it for all my finishing, except where water resistance is needed.
That will be a decision for you if finishing a table top. When someone dropped a wet newspaper on my walnut slab that was finished with oil, it turned white. But a new application of oil brought it back to new again.

Magicman · April 16, 2012, 03:13:30 PM

I have not been able to locate Fornbys's Tung Oil, so I bought the Watco Danish Oil and as beenthere stated, it worked very well. I am not fond of the built up high gloss finish such as what polyurethane gives.

samandothers · April 16, 2012, 09:04:58 PM

I too like oil. Don't forget pictures!

Old Hilly · April 17, 2012, 05:32:38 AM

BC, you might like to add some Bee's wax and Gum Terpentine (not mineral turps) to the oil. It seems to give a better finish on our Australian Hardwoods. You need to melt the Bee's wax over gentle heat and add some Gum Terpentine while stirring with a spatula. It should be a stiff, creamy texture (not hard) when cool, then add some Tung oil until the mix is fairly thick but not stiff. Rub into the timber and buff back with a low speed lamb's wool buffer, then repeat about 6 times.....
Gum Terpentine is flamable, keep away from naked flames and dispose of waste rags in a sealed metal container or bury them, they have been known to self-combust.
Good luck.

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 09:56:25 AM

Found some Fornbys's tung oil at local hardware store. Table looks great, I will post some pictures. Thank's. ;D

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 11:14:47 AM

14 YEAR OLD SON.

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 11:15:41 AM

Think he needs to add another coat?

Buck · April 17, 2012, 11:24:51 AM

I think so.....I also commend your son on a nice project. smiley_clapping

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 11:43:07 AM

I will tell him. Thanks Buck.

Tripp · April 17, 2012, 12:13:14 PM

I have had good success using multiple coats. More is better with oil. Between coats use a very fine steel wool to smooth the surface.

Tripp

POSTON WIDEHEAD · April 17, 2012, 12:29:34 PM

Makes me feel good to see the Youth of our country getting interested in woodwork.

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 12:31:17 PM

My camera is not the best. :

Table looks better than the pictures.

Magicman · April 17, 2012, 02:54:10 PM

Congrats to both of you.

Maybe your Son and my Grandson will play football against each other next year. He is also 14.

sandhills · April 17, 2012, 03:17:53 PM

Can't help you on the finish, but please tell your son he did a great job! He gets an A + in my book.

Ianab · April 17, 2012, 03:45:06 PM

Definitely deserves a passing grade on that project

Make sure he has good documentation for the project though. Being able to trace the whole thing back from where the log was recovered though to finished table is where the bonus marks are.

Has he considered selling them? Could make some good pocket money for a 14yr old building stuff like that? It's better then most bought furniture anyway, real wood etc.

Ian

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 04:41:01 PM

Quote from: Magicman on April 17, 2012, 02:54:10 PM
Congrats to both of you.

Maybe your Son and my Grandson will play football against each other next year. He is also 14.

MM I think we have B.A. scheduled for the last game in regular season.

Bogue Chitto · April 17, 2012, 04:46:56 PM

Quote from: Ianab on April 17, 2012, 03:45:06 PM
Definitely deserves a passing grade on that project

Make sure he has good documentation for the project though. Being able to trace the whole thing back from where the log was recovered though to finished table is where the bonus marks are.

Has he considered selling them? Could make some good pocket money for a 14yr old building stuff like that? It's better then most bought furniture anyway, real wood etc.

Ian

Thank's Ian , Mom has taken many pictures. She documents real well. ;D