Good Afternoon from Florida everyone. This is my first of soon to be many posts on this forum.
I am going to make a PSI Spartan Click Pen finished with thuya burl wood sourced from Esty.
Any experience with oily wood in general will be much appreciated.
I have done much research on the topic, and I know it is an extremely oily wood to work on. That being said, a quick google search on what finish is best for thuya will yield wax as the first answer you see. Some say that since thuya is very oily, no BLO or similar related finishes are needed, and the wood only needs to be 'sealed". What are some of your methods for sealing thuya, or other oily woods? I have seen thuya axe handles, knives, and other "hand held" tools commonly finished with shellac, wax, or both. Yet, I have also read here time and time again that "friction polishes" are a no go for pens that will be regularly used. I find this odd, since knives and axes are arguably used just as often as pens depending on the person. Are the recommendations against friction polishes only so for dryer woods or are they applicable to any wood in general?
Other forums unrelated to pen turning will say that the liquid finishes are a no-go for thuya; that CA and Poly/Lacquer finishes do not set well and "make a mess". I have also seen here that people have finished thuya with CA no problem. Personally, I don't have a preference between the finishes, and I can appreciate both the satin finish of wax as well as the glossy look of CA.
I have ordered shellac, DNA, and caranuba wax for the satin finish, inspired by these videos.
I have also ordered some BSI Super-Gold as a CA finish.
Any other alternatives are welcomed.
I am aware that asking "what finish is the best" can yield many different answers. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Your collective experiences will help me greatly.
Now for my follow up question.
I have read here and elsewhere that people like to wipe down oily woods with either acetone or DNA to dry their surfaces before sealing. I have also seen people say that they simply dry the surface with a paper towel only before applying their finish. Which is preferable for thuya? I have seen arguments for and against either method, specifically more that are against using any type of DNA/Acetone.
How would you guys seal this oily wood before applying further coats of your preferred finish?
Thank you all. Your help is very, very much appreciated.
Have a great day!
- GutPopper.
I am going to make a PSI Spartan Click Pen finished with thuya burl wood sourced from Esty.
Any experience with oily wood in general will be much appreciated.
I have done much research on the topic, and I know it is an extremely oily wood to work on. That being said, a quick google search on what finish is best for thuya will yield wax as the first answer you see. Some say that since thuya is very oily, no BLO or similar related finishes are needed, and the wood only needs to be 'sealed". What are some of your methods for sealing thuya, or other oily woods? I have seen thuya axe handles, knives, and other "hand held" tools commonly finished with shellac, wax, or both. Yet, I have also read here time and time again that "friction polishes" are a no go for pens that will be regularly used. I find this odd, since knives and axes are arguably used just as often as pens depending on the person. Are the recommendations against friction polishes only so for dryer woods or are they applicable to any wood in general?
Other forums unrelated to pen turning will say that the liquid finishes are a no-go for thuya; that CA and Poly/Lacquer finishes do not set well and "make a mess". I have also seen here that people have finished thuya with CA no problem. Personally, I don't have a preference between the finishes, and I can appreciate both the satin finish of wax as well as the glossy look of CA.
I have ordered shellac, DNA, and caranuba wax for the satin finish, inspired by these videos.
I have also ordered some BSI Super-Gold as a CA finish.
Any other alternatives are welcomed.
I am aware that asking "what finish is the best" can yield many different answers. That's exactly what I'm looking for. Your collective experiences will help me greatly.
Now for my follow up question.
I have read here and elsewhere that people like to wipe down oily woods with either acetone or DNA to dry their surfaces before sealing. I have also seen people say that they simply dry the surface with a paper towel only before applying their finish. Which is preferable for thuya? I have seen arguments for and against either method, specifically more that are against using any type of DNA/Acetone.
How would you guys seal this oily wood before applying further coats of your preferred finish?
Thank you all. Your help is very, very much appreciated.
Have a great day!
- GutPopper.