New User - Finishing a White Oak rack

[Prizen]

Hi All,

This is my first post here, wasn't aware there was such a lively forum closer to home after visiting some of the US forums. I am a beginner woodworker, and would sincerely appreciate your advice on my first project.

Just wondering what finish would look best for a hifi rack that I am making. It started out life as a kitchen worktop, and I sawed it into 4 units you see below. 10cm oak supports will be dowelled (got a Dowelmax to do this!) into each of the four corners so I can shelve my hifi equipment.

So how do you think I should finish this? Thanks

 

[marcros]

i would personally go with an oil finish, but it depends a bit on what you want to achieve- oil will darken the wood, and give it a golden/honey colour. I like this, others do not. Since I have a bottle in the workshop, i would probably use danish oil rather than buy another. but some of the others would do just as well. wipe it on with a cloth (not wire wool), leavce it a few minutes and wipe off the excess. when dry, give it a quick rub down with some 320 grit (not wire wool), and repeat until you get the colour you like- 3 or 4 coats would be right for me.

 

[RogerBoyle]

+1 for what Marcros said

Roger

 

[Prizen]

Thanks guys - seen as I do not have any oil at the moment, is there any specific type of danish oil you recommmend I should go out and buy?
Also, I have Ronseal clear satin varnish - would it be silly to put a coat of this over the oil?

THanks

 

[marcros]

i wouldnt put the varnish on- it makes things feel a bit artificial in my opinion.

as for danish oil, I dont know what you have available over there, but try and find somewhere that is likely to sell a fair bit and so rotates the stock around.

 

[Prizen]

Great so its as simple as wipe on varnish and steel wool inbetween, thanks!

 

[marcros]

ha ha. i will add- test on a bit of scrap or on an unseen bit to check that you like the result- eg underside of bottom shelf.

 

[Prizen]

ha!
By the way, should I wet sand it?
And why is it important to have a run on the stock - does this stuff have a shelf life?
Lastly, why not the steel wool?
Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks

 

[marcros]

ha!
By the way, should I wet sand it?

no need to- between coats, you are not really sanding, just rubbing off the high spots- quick rub over is all you need.

And why is it important to have a run on the stock - does this stuff have a shelf life?

yes, it seems to and stays sticky. Always a good idea with finishes to get it as fresh as possible

Lastly, why not the steel wool?

iron reacts with the tannin in the oak and turns it black. leave a tool on your oak, or oak on your planer and you will see. can be used for good effect where desired http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPArMP3zkYQ [/quote]

Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks

no probs at all. i will be amazed if the embedded quotes work. if not, you will be confused!

Mark

edit: link changed to a better one

 

[Prizen]

Cheers Mark, interesting video