Five Minute Guide: How to Use a Tablesaw
Dedicated Sled Delivers Perfect Finger Joints
How to Drill Windsor Chair Mortises
T-Track is a Smart Workbench Accessory
Fixing Woodworking Mistakes
How to Sharpen a Card Scraper
Upgrade Your Jointer with a Segmented Cutterhead
How to Make a Simple Jig for Offset Knife Hinges
Tablesaw Tapering Jig is Safer and Faster
Five Minute Guide: Glue-Ups
3 Steps to Great Glue-Ups: Sliding Dovetail Joints
Box Making Tips and Tricks
How to Cut Sliding Dovetail Joints
Best Tabletop Finish
Router Jig for Perfectly Aligned Dadoes
How to Apply an Aerosol Finish
Buying and Using Trim Routers

The Editors Mailbox

UPDATE: DVD Giveaway: Surface Preparation and Staining by Hendrik Varju

comments (59) October 10th, 2010 in blogs

Betsy Engel, contributor

3 users recommend

Photo: Passion for Wood

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Surface Preparation and Staining by Hendrik Varju
Passion for Wood, 2010.
$94.95 Canadian; 5 DVD set; 9 hrs.

Surface Preparation and Staining by Hendrik Varju is a 5 DVD set that is broken into the following topics: Preparation, covering sanding, how to deal with glue squeeze-out, repairing dents, and raising the grain; Coloring and Staining includes info about bleaching, staining endgrain and plywood, and how to deal with blotching. Also covered are details about water based aniline dyes and gel stains and this section also provides various techniques for applying stain. The Scraper section is included in the “bonus footage” and provides info about how to tune and sharpen a card scraper and scraper plane.

As with Varju’s other DVDs, this set is “Private Woodworking Instruction in a Box” because it is like having him there in the shop with you, giving you step-by-step instruction to get your projects ready for finishing. Hendrik covers all of the details that he would normally convey in person – often in real time so nothing is skipped. This really is personal coaching in a DVD.

Lucky whampoo is the winner. His comment was chosen at random. Come back later to read his review of the DVD set.

And check the blogs often for your chance to win other giveaways.

posted in: blogs, giveaway, , dvd

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Comments (59)

whampoo writes: Sorry about the delay in writing the mini review on the DVD collection, it has been a very busy past couple of months.
Now on with the review. This DVD set is excellent. The Surface Preparation and Staining collection goes into great detail about surface preparation and staining it's like having Hendrik Varju right in your shop teaching you all of his tips and tricks. I consider myself an intermediate woodworker and this DVD set gave many good ideas and pointers for both sanding and staining. Hendrik Varju goes into great depth on the types of stains and their characteristics with different types of woods both common and figured. I wish I had seen these DVD's before I used the aniline dye on birds eye maple, it would have saved me from having to strip and refinish my guitar body. Whatever you do don't use shellac on pieces that have been dyed. The dye will immediately bleed out of the wood and into the shellac... WHY?? you ask, because the alcohol in the shellac sucks the dye right out of the wood. I recommend this DVD set for all beginners and even an advanced woodworker will find benefits after watching the DVD set. Thank you very much FWW, and Hendrik Varju for allowing me to review this great dvd collection. I will be watching it a few more times to to review the areas where I am still a little weak, and there is quite a bit of information to digest.
Posted: 6:13 pm on November 21st

buyernate writes: I've had the pleasure to help clean up at a factory (Statton Furniture of Hagerstown, MD) that made solid wood furniture. The factory fell victim to the soft economy and the new owner of the building asked our Scouts to help clean up. In our work we got to interact with some of the former workers who worked in the finish department.

It was an eye opening experience the steps that were used to prep the piece, apply finish and finish the finish. Almost as much work went into the finishing as went into the making of the piece.

I have always struggled with the finishing and now I am almost in awe of the process used in high quality furniture making. But the interesting thing is that it is a logical and sequential process that anyone can do. The key is patience. I'm still working on that one!
Posted: 2:43 pm on October 14th

Meuleman writes: Another one who likes to have this dvd.
Posted: 1:37 pm on October 14th

jimtbaker writes: Sign me up for a chance.
Posted: 11:53 am on October 14th

2jacks writes: Looks like a great tool for any woodworker,would love to win.--Jack delaney
Posted: 3:46 pm on October 12th

ajhicks writes: What better way for a novice like me to begin his education? Thanks
Posted: 3:36 pm on October 12th

chucktown writes: Looks like a great series, I;m in.
Thanks
Posted: 2:06 pm on October 12th

sk2tobin writes: I would love to have this video set. I hope I win!
Posted: 11:57 am on October 12th

RayInBC writes: This would be an awesome DVD to have - thanks for the chance to win one, from a Canadian follower.
Posted: 11:07 am on October 12th

grin writes: Please, Please, Please.
Posted: 10:29 am on October 12th

mikgoo writes: I would love to have this dvd, when it comes to finishing I need all the help I can get!!!
Posted: 9:54 am on October 12th

boxster9 writes: I have two of Mr. Varju's DVDs - 'Wood Science & Design' and Jointer and Planer Secrets'). Both are packed with incredible amounts of useful information and I highly recommend both. The Wood Science dvd should be one viewed by all woodworkers regardless of how much experience they may have.

-- Phil
Posted: 9:50 am on October 12th

bitranch writes: Looks like a lot of good and useful info. Would love to add this DVD to my tool set.
Posted: 9:25 am on October 12th

tlpmap writes: An awesome addition to any woodworker's library.
Posted: 9:25 am on October 12th

Richardsdesignco writes: this looks like a great addition to anyone's tool chest. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Posted: 9:25 am on October 12th

ed_cook_sr writes: The final finish on any project has always been a challenge. I suspect the information in this set would go a long way in mitigating that for me.
Posted: 8:56 am on October 12th

tc5617 writes: Count me in, Thanks
Posted: 8:33 am on October 12th

the_wild_lucy writes: Will put the video to great use. Working on several projects and would love to put a great finish on them.
Posted: 8:21 am on October 12th

ScoFF writes: I've wanted to learn from Hendrik Varju's DVD sessions for some time now and this is a good chance. I hear he goes into extreme depths with his content that is unmatched by anyone else. Maybe because he's Canadian :)
Posted: 8:02 am on October 12th

AlanMonty writes: As much as I dread finishing any project, I would enjoy watching these dvds.
Posted: 6:53 am on October 12th

daltxguy writes: Wow, sounds like a great dvd set!
Posted: 5:51 am on October 12th

rodk1 writes: I've never seen one of his videos. Would love to check it out. Thanks
Posted: 1:08 am on October 12th

caub writes: Would love to get this set!

-Chris
Posted: 10:04 pm on October 11th

D11RDozer writes: Hendrik is a great instructor. I'd love to get this DVD.
Posted: 6:31 pm on October 11th

JohnDC writes: Like to have this DVD, especially if it can help me tune and use my old Stanley 12 1/2 scraper
Posted: 6:27 pm on October 11th

retireddds writes: I have just begun to take up woodworking after retiring from dentistry. Iam 64 and built a shop that I have wanted for 30 years. I thank I may have waited too long to begin woodworking . I am overwhelmed with all the skills needed to do quality woodworking but i enjoy ever minute in my shop and can't get enough contuing education from online resources dvds and hands on at highlanders in atlanta
Posted: 5:52 pm on October 11th

dave100 writes: This will no doubt be another superb DVD set. I have attended many of Hendrik's seminars and I doubt there is anyone who covers a topic more thoroughly than he does. I'm no longer local to Hendrik's location so this is an excellent way for him to teach at a distance. I would love to have a copy.
Posted: 1:10 pm on October 11th

Scummings writes: I want it! Please count me in.
Posted: 1:03 pm on October 11th

Dean7 writes: I've always wanted all of Hendrik Varju's DVD's. Since I cannot afford any of them, it would be great if I could win this one. Thanks, Dean
Posted: 12:38 pm on October 11th

Doughead writes: Final finishes are what make many projects look great.. pop. So far I can be hit and miss. This set should be a great help.
Posted: 12:03 pm on October 11th

BA3 writes: Always a challenging part of any project -- would be a valuable reference/demonstration.
Posted: 11:27 am on October 11th

rimo writes: This is a great opportunity. Thanks for offering it.
Posted: 11:19 am on October 11th

wmalcolmg writes: Just what I have been looking for. Our world is moving to dvd video for info and instruction. malcolm G
Posted: 11:00 am on October 11th

whampoo writes: I can't think of a better DVD set to have. The most difficult part of woodworking is surface prep for staining and a final finish. I would love to have this DVD set for instruction and for reference. Good luck to everyone that would like to win a copy.
Posted: 10:06 am on October 11th

mcbrown writes: Sorely needed information on an often not well understood subject.
Posted: 9:58 am on October 11th

bko writes: This looks like a great DVD and I would like to enter!

--Brian

Posted: 9:38 am on October 11th

heydrew writes: I love the building, fear the finishing at the end. getting some practical advice on how to do it better would be awesome! Reading articles helps, but watching would be even better.
Posted: 9:25 am on October 11th

Water_Doc writes: I think out of all the items you have given away I could use this one the best. Thanks for offering.
Posted: 9:24 am on October 11th

Castlewerks writes: Yes, please.
Posted: 8:54 am on October 11th

tmu writes: Always interested in good info for finishing. Sign me up.
Posted: 7:04 am on October 11th

Lori K writes: This would make a nice addition to my woodworking library.
Posted: 12:35 am on October 11th

cutsalot writes: Bring it on! Most of us hobbyists need this.
Posted: 12:28 am on October 11th

Charlie_Mac writes: I believe i could benefit greatly from "personal teaching"
Posted: 12:23 am on October 11th

mkarafa writes: This video sounds like a winner!
Posted: 10:23 pm on October 10th

Jollyroger writes: Hey, looks great. Let's give it a whirl.
Posted: 9:53 pm on October 10th

StevenO writes: Looking forward to learning from the series.
Posted: 9:32 pm on October 10th

Larrythewoodguy writes: YES PLEASE THANK YOU.
Posted: 8:46 pm on October 10th

Red_F writes: count me in
Posted: 8:43 pm on October 10th

jamlink67 writes: I am sometimes confused on the best procedures for finishing a project, I would like to have this great DVD set to help me improve.
Posted: 8:31 pm on October 10th

JeffB writes: This is one of my weaknesses. I sure could use it.
Posted: 8:17 pm on October 10th

brian_g writes: Looks like a great DVD set. It would be a great "tool" to add to my tool box.

Posted: 7:42 pm on October 10th

FredRowe writes: Count me in for the drawing.
Posted: 7:33 pm on October 10th

Nato writes: I have been diappointed many times with the way my finishes turn out. Would love to have some instruction.
Posted: 6:19 pm on October 10th

FineFurnitureWorks writes: I love finishing, but unfortunately don't know enough on the subject. I am learning as i go with the help of finewoodworking & various books & dvds. Ive bought both dvd's, hand applied finishes and wood finishing aswell as various finishing books. I spend my time trying out different techniques on sample boards before i attempt finished projects, some successful some not. I think its important to get advice and opinions from a variety of sources as people will have picked up different methods with the same materials throughout there lives.
Would love this DVD!!!
Posted: 5:32 pm on October 10th

Luv2cmtns writes: I'm new to woodworking and have completed two projects, both tables, but have yet to put any finish on them. I'm very proud of these two pieces and do not want to ruin them by putting on a finish that doesn't look good. Finishes are so permanent. I also do not have any woodworking mentors yet. I think that this DVD set would help me get past my fear of truly finishing my projects. I would love an opportunity to put to test the skills that Hendrik Varju is so willing to share, and to share my experience with my fellow woodworkers.
Posted: 4:59 pm on October 10th

Christopher_Hawkins writes: This is another area where I've got a ton to learn. The DVDs would be a jumpstart to my knowledge.
Posted: 4:24 pm on October 10th

JLYoung writes: I would love to have one of Hendrik's videos. Please sign me up
Posted: 2:26 pm on October 10th

kitchenguy writes: Speaking of finishing, and spray finishing in particular, it would be helpful to get solid information on the type and capacity of compressor to purchase. I have tried to use a pancake type compressor with poor results. I believe it is becuase it does not generate enough CFM. What are the minimums for different applications?
Posted: 12:38 pm on October 10th