Silly Idea

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rjwolfe3

rjwolfe3

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This may have been done before or some may think it's a stupid idea. If so, ignore the below idea, lol.:D (Please note, that I am in no way, shape, or form a finishing expert or even remotely know what I am doing, but I am good at following directions and trying something more then once.)

So, this is my idea. I am making some kind of sample "thing" to show the difference in finishes. I am using the same wood, (apple in this case because I have a bunch and it's kind of plain) and turning round two inch sections of it. Then I am sanding it to 600 grit (and/or MicroMesh to 12000, depending on finish directions). Then on each section I am applying a different type of finish. When I am done I was hoping to have something with which I could see the different finishes side by side. (This is more for my reference then to show customers.)

So what do you all think? Am I wasting my time or is this a worthwhile pursuit?:D
 
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William,

I can't seem to find a finish I like or maybe it's the results I'm expecting but not getting. But I haven't tried all the different finishes yet. Just tried my first dip finish but have to wait till it "cures" to know if I like it. And I want to try the one you mentioned before.

Eric

Do you know where on Russ's site he does that comparison? I looked and I found where he explains the different finishes and how to do them but not what they look like.
 
Rob,

I think what you're planning could be a good (and even fun) idea. The one element it is missing, however, is durability. However the segments look after your initial finish, it doesn't tell you or your customers how it will look after an extended period of handling/use.

-Barry
 
Rob,

What you are describing is often done in advanced finishing workshops in the furniture making world. I poked my nose into one of these workshops once and the students were all making checkerboard patterns with different finishes and stains on flat wood to see how it looked. You may wish to extend the notion to making a slimline or two with 3/4" - 1" wide finish bands and use them for a while to see how durable they turn out.
 
We have talked about creating something like this for every wood that we have available so we could show to customers to assist them in ordering pens that we may not have at a certain show (or at least toward the end of a show).
 
This is a very common practice

Turn a dowel with what ever wood you want to use. Then with a parting tool cut grooves to make separate sections.

Now sand/finish each section as you want.
 
My discussion of finish hardness and a simple hardness test is discussed on my pen finishing video, and there are a couple messages on the topic buried somewhere on this IAP site.
 
Hi,

Look is something and feel is an other one. I have 5 slim line with different finish so they can hold and feel them

1 - CA
2 - Lacquer
3 - Friction polish (Hut PPP) with a good 4 weeks of use
4 - Enduro
5 - No finish oily wood (Cocobolo)

It's amazing the number of people that like the no finsh, but you have to warn them about the wood getting darker.

Alfred
 
I did what you are describing after about my first month of turning. Although it probably raised more questions than it answered it was a great excercise for me. I knew absolutly nothing about the different finishes and now I was able to see the difference. I also got some practice finishing and had the chance to experiment with different techniques. It was time well spent.
 
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