Hi

Well, I’m about to go on holiday, but before then I’m heading north to the third gathering of the Emerging Turners Programme, to talk to them about finishing, and the important part it plays in the creation of great work.
You’ll know that we’ve been supporting this initiative pretty much since it started, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to see it in action. We already know many of the participants, so I’m looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces as well as meeting new friends.

One of the questions that came in this week asked about how to use Rainbow Wax on a table-top, to use it to highlight the grain. This is quite simple to do, one of the most important things to get the finish to look good is to use a suitable material to remove the surplus wax – something like our Air Brush Cleaner or Reducer is ideal for this, just be sure to use it sparingly.
But above that, even more important, is selecting the right timber to do this effect on. It works best on open-grained timber; oak is good, and usually has quite a linear grain, and ash is great, with its lovely swirling grain. I’ve seen pine be used for this, but the grain usually has to be forced open. One of our Liming Brushes is great for this, and opening the grain of ash and oak, to give a really dramatic effect.

Jewellery continues to be a popular thing for woodworkers, and especially woodturners, to create. And, of course, we’re often asked about the most suitable finish to use. It needs to be hard-wearing, possibly water-resistant (I’m thinking in case the wearer gets caught out in the rain, but perspiration is also a consideration), and also unlikely to set off a reaction when worn next to skin. The latter part is relatively easy; once properly dried, we’re not aware that any of our products would set off an allergic (or similar) reaction. Choosing one of our toy safe finishes should make sure, and we normally point users towards Acrylic Gloss Lacquer for this. It’s easy to apply, dries very quickly, gives a very bright finish – and ticks all the other boxes too.

In the last question of the week, we were asked if our products were tested on animals. That’s a very tricky one to answer.

To be clear, we do not support animal cruelty (and I can’t believe that anyone would). However, practically everything that is used domestically has, at some point in its history, had elements of it that are tested on animals. Including many of the products proclaiming themselves to be cruelty-free.

None of our products are currently tested on animals, and whilst the final product hasn’t been tested, at least some elements of it will have been, at some stage in the past. Anyone who tells you differently isn’t giving you the full picture.

We would like to think that any testing was done in a humane and considerate way, this doesn’t have to be cruel as such.

Going on holiday means that I’ll still be away when the AWGB Seminar takes place at the beginning of October. I tried to work it so that I could fit it all in, but it proved impossible. So, if you’re going, have a great time, I’m sorry I can’t be there this time around, hopefully we’ll catch up soon.
And thank you to everyone who wrote after last week’s Newsletter, wishing Nathanael all the best for when he joins us next month. You’re a great bunch!

All the best

Terry