knowltoh
Member
Is there a point of diminishing returns with the number of coats of CA used? I usually use only 1-2 coats of CA on most blanks. Not intending to start an argument, but I wonder what others do.
CA diminishing returns?
- Thread starter knowltoh
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Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
Depends on the type of wood, but I very seldom use more than 4-6 coats.
1-3 coats of thin (depending on how much soaks in) and 1-3 medium.
But it's great if you use more because than you have to buy more. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
1-3 coats of thin (depending on how much soaks in) and 1-3 medium.
But it's great if you use more because than you have to buy more. :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
ldb2000
Member
If I'm using thick , 3 coats . More often then not I'm using thin and I put 10 to 12 coats . I find that the thin gives a deeper look to the finish . Overall it's most likely about the same thickness as the 3 coats of thick but it soaks in and accents the chatoyance of the wood much the same as using BLO or Teak oil but without the problems that these oils can produce .
Kudos to Mannie and his glue. The best things I learned from these forums was,
1. Drill on the lathe (in fact, I think it was Butch that gave me this and squaring on the lathe as tips)
2. Square blanks on the lathe
3, Turn between centers using Johnny CNC's bushings
4. Use Mannie's glue
I use just thin CA for my finishes. For some reason the medium is like my 2 iron. I don't believe I can use it so I don't.
I use anywhere between 10 to 20 coats of thin. I use BLO and don't sand any between coats. After the first 4 or 5 coats I wipe them clean of any excess BLO and set them aside for a day. I've found that blanks that looked great in the workshop, don't look so great when I look at them inside the house. Some woods (for me it is walnut) just seem to soak it up even after it's dry.
Hey Butch, How do you do the CA finish with no BLO? I first rub down the barewood real good with BLO, wipe off any excess and begin finishing. I use a paper towel and put a tiny dab of BLO on the paper towel, then a few drops of thin and apply it to the blank. Would I do the same thing, but without the BLO. Is there something else that I could rub the bare wood with to get the same effect as BLO, but not the problems.
The main reason I use so many coats is because I cover a cigar label with it and it takes a lot to do it right and I want the other blank to match.
If I'm doing a regular pen with no cigar label I use 5 to 10 coats of thin, but still set them aside to inspect them inside.
1. Drill on the lathe (in fact, I think it was Butch that gave me this and squaring on the lathe as tips)
2. Square blanks on the lathe
3, Turn between centers using Johnny CNC's bushings
4. Use Mannie's glue
I use just thin CA for my finishes. For some reason the medium is like my 2 iron. I don't believe I can use it so I don't.
I use anywhere between 10 to 20 coats of thin. I use BLO and don't sand any between coats. After the first 4 or 5 coats I wipe them clean of any excess BLO and set them aside for a day. I've found that blanks that looked great in the workshop, don't look so great when I look at them inside the house. Some woods (for me it is walnut) just seem to soak it up even after it's dry.
Hey Butch, How do you do the CA finish with no BLO? I first rub down the barewood real good with BLO, wipe off any excess and begin finishing. I use a paper towel and put a tiny dab of BLO on the paper towel, then a few drops of thin and apply it to the blank. Would I do the same thing, but without the BLO. Is there something else that I could rub the bare wood with to get the same effect as BLO, but not the problems.
The main reason I use so many coats is because I cover a cigar label with it and it takes a lot to do it right and I want the other blank to match.
If I'm doing a regular pen with no cigar label I use 5 to 10 coats of thin, but still set them aside to inspect them inside.
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penmaker1967
Member
i use 4 to 6 coats 0f med ca glue blo on first then i use blo and can mix it works very well for me and seems like the next day it looks better that when i first took it off the lathe
Displaced Canadian
Member
As a rule I use medium CA. I usually do around 6 to 10 coats depending on the wood. On stablized woods only 3 or 4. I do enough coats to fill in the grain so the pen is completely smooth.
Craftdiggity
Member
Hard to say for me. I use thin to start out (4-6 coats), the I sand and do at least three coats of med to beef it up. Then I sand and do another several coats of thin to finish it up.
I am not trying to complete a process but rather trying to get a specific look. When I get there, I stop and buff it up. Sometime that means more CA and sometimes less.
I am not trying to complete a process but rather trying to get a specific look. When I get there, I stop and buff it up. Sometime that means more CA and sometimes less.