What finish is the best? Some will tell you its shellac, polyurethane varnish, others will say danish oil and so on.

While I can't tell you what the best finish is, what i can say, is that everything I've tried in recent years, the one one i’m leaning towards, and haven't used anything else since first discovering it, is the sam maloof finish, specifically the bee's wax, tung oil, and boiled linseed oil mixture.

There is another variation i am aware of, which swaps out the bee's wax for polyurethane varnish, which i haven't used.

With the projects ive used it on, i find 2-3 coats are enough, and gives a good durable finish, although i have read sam did use more on occasion.

The finish was a 1:1:1 ratio, but i find a little less bee's wax is better for application to furniture.

Sam also applied the finish hot, this aids in the application, and to penetrate the wood.

When applying the finish, i like to spreed it on with a wide plastic like scraper, and rub it in with a cloth. The tung oil will start to harden up on contact with the air. This is normal, and will rub in/off easily. The excess is removed, and i go back to buff the whole thing in about 15 minutes.

Drying times are typically longer because of the linseed oil, but in a warm environment, i have applied another coat the following day, and left for about a week to fully cure, although admittedly, i have begun using furniture sooner.

I did shoot a video showing myself making the mixture which you can watch here

Of course this finish is not for everyone, and there is obviously others.

I do like rubio mono coat, and it is doing well on my own table durability wise, with no scratches etc. Keeping in mind, Im not using table mats, and even tools end up on the table, among other items from time to time.

The full cure time is about a week, with light use soon after the one, and only application.

There is a bit of knack to apply this finish in my opinion. I also feel it doesn't go very far, and again, in my opinion, i think its over priced, yes it’s good, but over priced. If it wasn't for the price, I'd probably use it regularly.

Another finish that will give you a good durable finish, is osmo oil. I used osmo for several years, but i find it messy, and application can be fusy at times. I also find care must be taken, for the tell tale signs of drips on corners etc. thats not seen with the maloof finish. Clean up is messy as well, hot water and washing up liquid isnt going to cut it, and ive ruined many paint brushes, and rollers because i have no turpentine.

I personally always felt more coats where necessary with the osmo, but once applied, the finish is tough, however it's not my first choice these days.

To keep things from getting to lengthy, I'll stop with a word on danish oil.

As much as I like how much danish oil pops the grain, and colours (golden) such woods as European oak, again, i find more coats are needed, as well as a follow up with bee's wax. I also find it's easier to scratch the finish.

I personally feel Danish oil isn't a good choice, for high traffic furniture like tables, and high traffic areas, where the furniture is passed regularly.

Some of the finishes mentioned can be purchased here (affiliate link).

What finish do you use?

Wood porn

This week’s visual candy is some beautiful shaker stools, built by jetzombie. Dovetails on point 👌 and check out those medullary rays!
Head over to his Instagram (click image), check out his other Pieces's, and give him a follow.

What impressed me

reubenmargolin

View more on Instagram

The above reel is a kinetic wooden sculpture by Reuben Margolin. I highly recommend you click the picture to watch the reel.
Its very hypnotic, and super impressive how smoothly the sculpture moves. It is visually wood, but fluid like a wave!

Woodwork ponder

How many people in this day and age, can and have built their own furniture, for their full home? Now compare this to people 150 years ago.

Knowledge to do such things, is slowly fading from what parents would have taught their children 150 years ago. Most of which would have been out of necessity.

I do wonder and hope, if I’ll see a resurgence in such practice in my lifetime?

For those interested, my latest video is available, showcasing and making this simple jig, that allows you to plane round/hexagonal chair parts.

Very simple to make, and very effective at holding the work piece.

Podcast

In case you missed previous podcasts, they are available to those who are interested.

You can listen on Spotify here, and Apple Podcasts  here.

Or view on YouTube here.

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Thats it for this one guys, see you next week!

Regards 

David