Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just looking for something
to protect the wood.
I've considered Linseed oil and I've even thought about Tung oil, but
never have used either of them on the top of a work bench before, I'm
not sure which might be the better choice.
The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
plywood. I don't care if it darkens, in fact I think that process may
provide some "personality" to the bench. I'm simply trying to avoid a
mistake.
Can anyone provide me any "war stories" of having finished the top of
work bench that might guide me to an intelligent decision? Thanks.
M2C1
M2C1 wrote:
> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
> a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
Oil, plenty of it. Scrape off the gunk as needed, re-oil frequently.
Oil is more resilient than varnish as it doesn't form a surface film to
flake. It's not a perfect glossy finish, but hey, it's a workbench.
Linseed is cheaper than tung but will yellow badly after a summer. If
you care....
"M2C1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
> a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
> I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just looking for something
> to protect the wood.
>
> I've considered Linseed oil and I've even thought about Tung oil, but
> never have used either of them on the top of a work bench before, I'm
> not sure which might be the better choice.
>
> The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
> plywood. I don't care if it darkens, in fact I think that process may
> provide some "personality" to the bench. I'm simply trying to avoid a
> mistake.
>
Hoping that top is thicker than 5/8. Dogs won't grab and stuff will bounce
when sitting up top being persuaded by a mallet. Having it that thin would
be a mistake.
Linseed is cheaper and smells better. Soak, wipe, week. One more soak, and
then use a paper towel with linseed on it to pick up the dust when you clean
it. Ought to be about once a year if the invisible top on my bench is an
indication.
"M2C1" wrote:
> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
> a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
> I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just looking for something
> to protect the wood.
<snip>
>
> The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
> plywood.
I'd add at least 2 more layers of 5/8 plywood to adequately stiffen
top then cover with a piece of 1/4 hardboard that can be replaced as
needed.
Save the oil for another project.
Lew
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> M2C1 wrote:
>> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
>> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
>> a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
>
> Oil, plenty of it. Scrape off the gunk as needed, re-oil frequently.
> Oil is more resilient than varnish as it doesn't form a surface film to
> flake. It's not a perfect glossy finish, but hey, it's a workbench.
>
Oil is more resilient! It is easier to repair, if that is what you mean;
but it is barely a finish at all with regards to protection.
"M2C1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
> a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
> I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just looking for something
> to protect the wood.
>
Varnish
M2C1 wrote:
> Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
> I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it
> for a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills,
> stains, etc. I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just
> looking for something to protect the wood.
>
> I've considered Linseed oil and I've even thought about Tung oil,
> but never have used either of them on the top of a work bench
> before, I'm not sure which might be the better choice.
>
> The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
> plywood. I don't care if it darkens, in fact I think that process
> may provide some "personality" to the bench. I'm simply trying to
> avoid a mistake.
>
> Can anyone provide me any "war stories" of having finished the top
> of work bench that might guide me to an intelligent decision?
> Thanks.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other...
--
dadiOH
____________________________
dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
"George" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "M2C1" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
>> plywood. I don't care if it darkens, in fact I think that process
>> may provide some "personality" to the bench. I'm simply trying to
>> avoid a mistake.
>>
>
> Hoping that top is thicker than 5/8. Dogs won't grab and stuff will
> bounce when sitting up top being persuaded by a mallet. Having it
> that thin would be a mistake.
>
The top on my plywood workbench is three layers of 3/4" cabinet grade
plywood. And usually a solid-core scrap fire door, too.
$15 for the oops door, $75 for the plywood. It's solid.
No opinion on the finish, other than to say that 'it's a workbench!'
Patriarch
In article <[email protected]>,
M2C1 <[email protected]> wrote:
>Okay, I guess I'm looking for some "old school" finishing tips here.
>I'm in the process of building a large work bench, will be using it for
>a variety of projects, and want to protect it from spills, stains, etc.
> I don't want (or need) a glossy finish, I'm just looking for something
>to protect the wood.
>
>I've considered Linseed oil and I've even thought about Tung oil, but
>never have used either of them on the top of a work bench before, I'm
>not sure which might be the better choice.
>
>The bench is pine construction with a top of 5/8" quality grade
>plywood. I don't care if it darkens, in fact I think that process may
>provide some "personality" to the bench. I'm simply trying to avoid a
>mistake.
>
>Can anyone provide me any "war stories" of having finished the top of
>work bench that might guide me to an intelligent decision? Thanks.
>
>M2C1
>
My bench has a plywood top also. I used BLO when I built it about
8 years ago. I remember thinking that it looked too good to use as a
workbench, but that feeling didn't last long. Since then, whenever
I have a project being finished with oil or some kind of "Danish
oil" I rub the bench or some other wooden shop fixtures down with
the rags I used on the project before I lay them out to dry for
disposal. I got that 'tip' here on the 'rec.
The benchtop now has a slight shine to it but it also does have
a good number of stains, gouges, dents, etc. If your work habits are
like mine, and especially if SWMBO or others in the house share the
shop area and use the bench, in a few years you won't care so much
about stains.
I do still get somewhat riled when someone _else_ leaves a bad gash or
gouge in the bench, though.
--
Often wrong, never in doubt.
Larry Wasserman - Baltimore, Maryland - [email protected]