I am in the process of building a new workbench. It has a laminated birch top and legs. The plan suggests a mixture of beeswax/ turps and linseed oil.
I have no beeswax what could i substitute for that . WOULD SOME PAST WAX OR WOOD WAX be OK?
What other options would be good. I am thinking I want to stay away from varnish
Quebecnewf
Replies
The formula you describe is a good one. Why not try to find some beeswax? I haven't bought any in years but used to get it from good hardware or paint stores. It came in cakes, about 3/4"x2"x2". I can't believe it would not be still available. Maybe an art supply house. Barring that, Minwax makes a wipe-on polyurethane finish. I have used it on a few shop-made wood-bodied planes. It's tough and the more coats you rub on, the tougher and glossier it gets. Steve
The classic finish for a bench top is a thin wash coat or two of well diluted shellac, just enough to soak into the wood without leaving a film on the surface. Shellac dries almost instantly, is easily renewed, and isn't slippery. You don't want a slippery bench top, a little friction is needed to keep pieces in place while you work on them.
If you want an oil finish just buy one like Minwax Antique Oil Finish or anything similar, there is nothing magical about the formula you mentioned and it is a hassle to mix up and moderately obnoxious.
The latest issue of FWW has an article on tuning up workbenches and I believe that it also recommends using shellac.
John White
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