ear3
Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2014
- Messages
- 4,341
I've been getting a little bit better at finishing with the last few projects, but I'm still lacking a lot of basic knowledge that I'm hoping to fill in (with your help!).
First, a project specific question, and then second a more general question.
1) So I'm making a night lamp from a 4" x 4" blank of walnut I've had sitting around for a couple of years, which never made it over to the lathe. The finished product will literally just be a square block with a hole in the middle for the bulb, and a decorative sea shell covering the top. The ends were sealed with wax, and I assumed that since it had been lying around for so long, I wouldn't have to worry about too much further movement. So after trimming the ends, planing it, boring the center hole, and now sanding it, I've noticed some small checking on one of the ends. It's already cut to size, so it's not like I can trim it off any further. What would be the best finish, polyurethane or oil that would seal it up to prevent much further cracking? I don't think it's going to split much more -- certainly it is not exhibiting the behavior of greener woods I've worked with, where the checking develops very rapidly -- but better to be safe than sorry.
2) Here's the basic, general question. If I'm using a polyurethane (water-based, for example), at what grit do I lose the benefits of any further smoothness? Meaning, once you put the polyurethane on, the surface smoothness you feel is that of the finish rather than the wood. There is obviously a difference in look and fell between polyurethaned wood sanded to 100 grit and that sanded to 220, but beyond 220, does one gain anything? Or should I simply use the higher grits between coats, rather than on the wood itself.
Thanks in advance.
First, a project specific question, and then second a more general question.
1) So I'm making a night lamp from a 4" x 4" blank of walnut I've had sitting around for a couple of years, which never made it over to the lathe. The finished product will literally just be a square block with a hole in the middle for the bulb, and a decorative sea shell covering the top. The ends were sealed with wax, and I assumed that since it had been lying around for so long, I wouldn't have to worry about too much further movement. So after trimming the ends, planing it, boring the center hole, and now sanding it, I've noticed some small checking on one of the ends. It's already cut to size, so it's not like I can trim it off any further. What would be the best finish, polyurethane or oil that would seal it up to prevent much further cracking? I don't think it's going to split much more -- certainly it is not exhibiting the behavior of greener woods I've worked with, where the checking develops very rapidly -- but better to be safe than sorry.
2) Here's the basic, general question. If I'm using a polyurethane (water-based, for example), at what grit do I lose the benefits of any further smoothness? Meaning, once you put the polyurethane on, the surface smoothness you feel is that of the finish rather than the wood. There is obviously a difference in look and fell between polyurethaned wood sanded to 100 grit and that sanded to 220, but beyond 220, does one gain anything? Or should I simply use the higher grits between coats, rather than on the wood itself.
Thanks in advance.
