Woodworker's Journal 2004-28-4, страница 51

Down to the Finish

By Steve Blenk

Even though some woodworkers look at finishing as a necessary evil... it often marks the difference between a project's success or failure. Turning projects are no different. Here are a few finishing basics for projects turned on the lathe.

ne reason turning is popular with woodworkers is what I call the "fast fun factor." Unlike must other types of woodworking, a turned project is often completed in just a few hours. And you can do your finishing right on the lathe too. if you know your stuff. 'Hi s makes things even better for the "weekend woodworker" in all of

Safety Cautions

Two important things to remember

1. When you apply any finish under power on the lathe, excess finish will "fling" off. Be sure to protect your face and especially your eyes from potential spray.

2. Take care when using rags or pads to apply or burnish finish while under power. Move all rests and other lathe accessories out of the line o: fire, and keep all corners ard ends tucked in away from possible wrap-up. Be sure you can release any material that might wrap in the turning ... DO NOT wrap the rag around your hand! Steer clear of irregular or natural edges as they will grab the rag (and you!).

Burnishing

lliis is an old-time lurne-s' trick for getting a polished sheen on unfinished hardwoods like maple. After sanding, just grab c. handful of your shavings and press t lerr. against the spinning surlace under some pressure. Since the material is just as hard as the shavings, they polish one another rather than

A well applied (Irish brings out the beauty of a myrtle bawl. Below, the author uses shavings from a spindle to burnish the wood. Note the leather glove, which keep his hand from being burned.

us. Here are a couple of techniques and tricks for you .0 try during your next spin 011 the lathe.

Sanding

Sand your work clean of all tool marks and scratches. Reverse (he lathe's direction if you to be sure the of the wood grain isn't just .ying dewn. Reverse sand by land if you must, but do it, or the grain will rise when you apply finish to the work. I tell beginners to go one grit further than they think they need to. just because it's easier tc sand now than later. Be sure to protect your lungs with a mask: sanding on the lathe produces large amounts of dust, and the rotation throws it right in your face. Once you are cone sanding you are ready to finish.