Ca & Blo

[Pen Man]

Does it work everytime or you ? [:0]
Or like me 1 out of every 5
I sand 220, 320, 400, fast ca to seal, 500, then ca / blo and have even mm to 12000 then ca / blo

 

[TBone]

Your average is better than mine []
That's why I use lacquer

 

[Dario]

Work in what way?

I usually have to re-apply my CA finish but in a way when I am done...it works every time.

BTW, I don't normally use BLO with my CA finish.

 

[Olson86]

I'v been doing okay with your sanding. Followed up 3 to 6 coats of BLO/CA. With no sanding in between. Unless I see a obvious problem. Then another sanding through the M.M. course.
I Finish with Ren. Wax.
I've Found That It's really easy to stand there sanding and finishing while stairing off into space. And then finding that I have a problem about three steps down the road.
I've found that if I catch the flaw right away, by looking at what I'm doing, I can correct problems by just going back one step.
I think the key here is to watch what your doing. And keep in mind that you are applying SAND PAPER to work that is turning REALLY FAST.
It doesn't take much to get where you want to go. Try once or twice back and forth.
I hope this helps.
Regards, Chuck

 

[leehljp]

1 out of 10 to 20 messes up for me, and that is usually because I use a lot of oily wood. I know to expect that. Don't expect instant perfection. CA is not easy for most people. It is a great finish but it takes practice and learning how to incorporate personal style, sandpaper likes, pressure and speed. For some people they seem to be insulted at the CA when it doesn't work for them. For me, it took about a year and a half of - off and on pen making to get the "feel". I did a few great pens early on and knew that I liked CA as opposed to other finishes. This drove me to continue until I had the feel and could predict which CA was needed with which wood.

I don't think most people will take as long as I did, but I was driven to learn it (when I had time) and it has finally paid off.

 

[alamocdc]

Since I started using the steps from Russ' video found here I haven't had any problems with this finish.

 

[Fred]

"work that is turning REALLY FAST", quoted from above post ... that in itself often produces way too many problems when one is sanding. The idea is NOT to turn so fast as to build up excessive heat in your work. I was taught that if I cannot hold the sandpaper while turning due to the heat I am turning WAY TO FAST. To fast also wears out the paper faster and then other problems develop from there. Always start with fresh paper and/or clean MM and turn at a slower speed for better results.

Other opinions will come here I'm sure. []