What is a BLO finish?

[MikeyTn]

It seems I am constantly reading about someone making a reference to a ca/blo finish. I understand that "ca" is the super glue but what is the "blo" part? I done a search but it came back with over 1500 articles and I don't want to have to search through all of that.

 

[leehljp]

BLO = Boiled Linseed Oil. It acts as a mild catalyst to CA and pops the grain on some woods in a way to bring out the beauty of the grain better.

 

[MikeyTn]

Originally posted by leehljp
<br />BLO = Boiled Linseed Oil. It acts as a mild catalyst to CA and pops the grain on some woods in a way to bring out the beauty of the grain better.

I've used boiled linseed oil on other wood working projects. I'd saturate the surface with oil to raise the grain then sand with 0000 steel wool and saturate again. After the second or third treatment of oil I would let it cure for about a week then finish with a wax. It produces a really nice shine but isn't very durable. I've used it on clocks and small boxes but never on pens.

Do I mix the ca with the linseed oil or apply the ca after the oil?

 

[cdcarter]

Mikey,

There's a ton of information and even tutorials and instructional videos in the Library section of this site. That's the best resource I know of anywhere. Then try a few things and share your experiences, successes and frustrations with us back here.

 

[dalemcginnis]

As Carl says there are many different ways. I use the BLO first then the CA and some use the CA first then the BLO. Try both and decide which method you like best.

 

[edstreet]

Try this one.

http://content.penturners.org/video/PenFin-Clip1-CAsealer.wmv
http://content.penturners.org/video/PenFin-Clip2-CAblo.wmv

After trying this method I have been getting superb results each and every time.

Ed

 

[hdtran]

The videos are good.

Two things I learned by taking an in-person class from someone who does the BLO/CA finish, and not only has awesome pens, but is an outstanding teacher (Hi, Janet!!!)

(1) You can reuse micromesh by slapping the sanding dust off of it, or by throwing it in the laundry
(2) You have to use micromesh at very slow speeds, otherwise, you can't reuse it
(3) A standard 1 gallon can of boiled linseed oil from Lowe's or Home Depot would last several gazillion pens. You're using maybe 3 drops of oil per pen (!)

 

[its_virgil]

I dropped my standards a little and purchased boiled linseed oil in a quart can. Hey, a quarter-gazillion pens is still a lot of pens.[]
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by hdtran
<br />The videos are good.


(3) A standard 1 gallon can of boiled linseed oil from Lowe's or Home Depot would last several gazillion pens. You're using maybe 3 drops of oil per pen (!)

 

[rherrell]

Originally posted by hdtran
<br />The videos are good.

Two things I learned by taking an in-person class from someone who does the BLO/CA finish, and not only has awesome pens, but is an outstanding teacher (Hi, Janet!!!)

(1) You can reuse micromesh by slapping the sanding dust off of it, or by throwing it in the laundry
(2) You have to use micromesh at very slow speeds, otherwise, you can't reuse it(3) A standard 1 gallon can of boiled linseed oil from Lowe's or Home Depot would last several gazillion pens. You're using maybe 3 drops of oil per pen (!)

I sand with MM at 1,000 rpm.(Heresy!) As long as you don't get it HOT you can re-use it.

 

[alamocdc]

I'm with Rick. I use MM at 3000 rpm all the time. Once you get it hot, you'll know it. The trick to MM is a quick light touch. You don't need a lot of pressure. Let the abrasive do the work and keep it moving.