Replies

1. 
   brucet9 | Aug 17, 2009 06:25am | #1

   Filler makes it much easier to get a smooth final finish with red oak. It would take many repetitions of finish/dry/sand finish/dry/sand to fill in the grain otherwise.

   My experience has been that oil based colored paste fillers leave a less distinct appearing and "homogeneous toned" grain than just letting the stain soak in, but it also enables you to use a dark stain with a less stark contrast in the grain areas if you want.

   Clear fillers enable the sharp delineation and variable "take" of stain in the grain while leveling the surface in one application. Here's an article from Rockler on the subject.

   http://www.rockler.com/blog/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=7F490E9A-1372-6771-F60F68E2C3DB5112

   BruceT
1. 
   James R. | Aug 17, 2009 06:57am | #2

   Bruce T:Thanks for the info. I was leaning toward a filler, you confirmed it for me. You're not too far away, I live in Covina, CA.Thanks again,Jim

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Aug 17, 2009 10:45am | #3

   Bruce is correct about the aesthetics of using pore filler.  But... you also spoke of using a tung oil finish.  Depending on what you mean by tung oil finish, it may not be appropriate to use pore filler first.  If you mean an "in-the-wood" finish that builds no film on the surface, such as if you used pure tung oil, or if you used one of the oil/varnish versions of tung oil finish, then that requires the oil be applied over an unsealed wood surface, while the pore filler would generally seal the surface more than would be desirable. 

   However, if you want a finish with a thin film surface, such as you would get with a wiping varnish, such as Formby's Tung Oil Finish, or Waterlox wiping varnish, or one you mix your self by thinning any good varnish, then that would certainly work just fine over a pore filled surface. 

   The fully filled finish is usually thought of as a more formal finish for formal styles of furniture.  It also is a lot more work.  If as you suggest, this may be one of many such projects you may want to take that into consideration. 

1. 
   James R. | Aug 18, 2009 06:57am | #4

   Steve:Thanks for the tip. Formby's is what I normally use, so it should work out well. I am only making one bunk bed so even though it may be be a bit more work I think I'll use the filler.Thanks again,Jim