Replies

1. 
   domermatt | Jul 21, 2002 08:15am | #1

   I put boiled linseed oil on mine. It protects it, but doesn't form a film. If you are like me, you'll ding up your bench with time. The oil is easier to repair and you don't worry about ruining a varnished top.

   Good luck, Matt

2. 
   gerry001 | Jul 22, 2002 05:30am | #2

   Butch,

   First, bear in mind what you're protecting it from. No finish will protect it from dings and heavy scratches. That's all a property of the wood (and if you miss your target?). On the other hand, you don't want spills to sink in, and it's not nice to glue your next project to the bench, and a little abrasion resistance would be nice. With it all, it's still going to get beaten upon, and you'll probably want to scrape or sand it sorta smooth every once in awhile. And when you do, you'd really like to be able to recoat it and still use it that day.

   From all the above, I settled on water base poly. You want to seal the surface and only build up a very slight film. For cleaning I scrape, maybe sand, wipe with a sponge, then grab a foam brush and apply another coat. An hour later I'm back on the bench. It's cheap, easy, has no fumes, and fast.

   Gerry

1. 
   RSRose | Jul 22, 2002 09:02am | #3

   I agree with the varnish.

   In a similar thread a few weeks ago, I said the same. Just about everyone else thought that oil alone is the way to go - since no less an authority than Franz Klaus recommends Waterlox (nothing but a high-priced tung/varnish mixture).

   Most of the books say oil.

   I say varnish.

   Rich