WEEK COMMENCING 23 FEBRUARY 2025

Hi

This time next week we’ll be in Newark for the Midlands Woodworking Show. Do come and say hello if you’re coming!

We’re looking slightly further ahead, to our Woodturning Weekender. Tickets are selling very well for this, and if you can’t make it in person, you can always tune in online to watch the livestream—or catch up with it for up to six months after. If you want an idea of what you can expect, just click on the picture!

An interesting question this week from someone stripping back a pine table and chairs. They realised that the chairs weren’t pine, and asked for some advice about a finish to use on top.

Most chairs sold with pine tables are, in fact, made of beech. It’s stronger than pine, and better suited for this use. Our suggestion for a finish was Hard Wax Oil; quick and easy to apply, and more than able to stand up to being sat on!

The other thing in its favour is the ease of maintenance, all that is normally needed is a quick clean down, and the application of another coat of oil.

What, we were asked next, could be done if they only had the gloss version of Hard Wax Oil, and a more subtle finish was required?

This is relatively simple to do—depending on the size and shape of the item in question. A cut back with an abrasive will do the job, Green NyWeb is great for this, and would be especially suitable for use on a chair.

The important thing here is to be aware that if too fine an abrasive is used, this could actually burnish the surface and give a higher gloss! 400 grit is probably about right.

Our final question this week involves a change of mind. Acrylic Lacquer had been used on a piece, but the user now wanted to remove it. They knew that Cellulose Thinners would do most of the job, but would it affect the stain used beneath? The answer is that it almost certainly would.

If possible, the best route forward, in our opinion, would be to remove the lacquer with thinners, as planned. If the stain is affected, remove that as well—or as much as possible—and be prepared to re-stain the wood.

Well, I suppose I’d better get going and start sorting some stock to take to the show. It’ll be a bit embarrassing otherwise.

I hope you’ll come and see us—spending money isn’t obligatory, it’s always good to catch up with our Chestnuteers. I know we’ll be seeing lots of our friends there, we’re looking forward to it.

All the best

Terry