SurFix oils compared to others?

[semenza]

I'll peface by saying I don't know much about oil finishes (actual oils not oil based like Poly). For those who have used the SurFix , how do the oils themselves compare to other brands on the market? Would you choose them  for reasons other than the application method?

Seth

 

[Kev]

Unfortunately ...

In my view you need a decent amount of time to assess in the various target environments and I don't believe the SURFIX oils have been out long enough to make a call.

To me the consistency of the SURFIX oils do feel a bit different to what I'd normally expect (thicker? More viscous?), but I'm not broadly experienced with oils.

Maybe have a peek at Tutorwood's blog. http://tutorwood.com/page/2/

 

[semenza]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Seth

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Seth

Seth,

I will let you know after my hot oil massage. Maybe I'll do a review.  [eek]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I am interested in hearing from anyone on this topic too -- thanks for posting it, Seth.  The applicator looks slick (no pun intended) and if the finish holds up well to various work, then I would be inclinded to give it a go.  I pretty much only use oil finishes on my work so this is pretty appealing.

Scot

 

[Timtool]

I made a review of it on my site, i can't really tell how it compares to other oils though. Before using the surfix i used my own homemade oil based on linseed oil and turpentine.
If it has one thing going for it, then it is the fact that it's a complete package.
So far i haven't used the outdoor oil in over a year, but i do often use the one step oil. With only difference to the heavy duty oil that you can get away with one coat and no polishing.

 

[promhandicam]

I wasn't at all impressed and sold my surfix kit on ebay probably to some other sap who, like me, was taken in by the festool name. As timtool pointed out in his review, which I have just skimmed through, you need quite a lot of oil just to load the sponge and it is useless for anything other than a large flat surface. Try doing the sides or top of a carcase or the edges and you get into all sorts of mess. Also as timtool noted, after anymore than 24hrs you have to replace the foam pad as the metal box to store it in isn't airtight. In fact the tin is so flimsy - of similar thickness to a coke can - it distorts just opening and closing it. I've also heard of people having trouble with the festool oil not going off fully and leaving a tacky mess. Don't be taken in like I was thinking that you were getting a quality piece of German engineering - I will stick with osmo polyx applied with a brush or 4" microfibre roller and ragged off with paper wipes as this is a more tried and trusted method.

 

[Scott B.]

Seth

The oil applies and dries. It is a pentrator, in the spirit of Watco, I guess would be the closest comparison for me. I have been testing the surfix for months, on a variety of tasks, including dozens of pieces of teak outdoor furniture. It can be used beyond the realm of large flat surfaces.

I will know more about the performance of the exterior oil after I see it through a chunk of spring and summer. The interior oil is doing well, as you might expect. Will be writing a review soon, just a couple more flagpoles to run it up.

 

[sancho57]

Im curious how long/ effective  the Exterior Surfix oil lasts before recoat. I got a out door project to do ( a gate) and want a easy oil finish that I dont have to fool with every year or so.

 

[BUTTER]

Does anyone have any further experience using other oils in the Surfix applicator?  (It's been almost a year since anyone posted in this thread, and no one had yet ACTUALLY tested other finishes.)

I am interested in others' experiences using different brands/types of finish in the Surfix applicator system.

Indoor work, I often use OSMO hardwax oil, and sometimes Woca brand.  I ball up a bit of rag soaked in oil, layer with white scotchbrite, and wrap the whole business snug in another rag.  Dip in the can as necessary.  Buff in, and buff dry again a half hour later.

Outdoor work, I prefer Penofin penetrating oil.  We brush on a soaking coat (sometimes initially apply with garden sprayer for complex surfaces), and rub all surfaces "dry" 1/2 hour later.

Has anyone tried using either of these oils with Surfix applicator?

Can you "buff in" the surface?
Does it save you from mess/drips?

I have a potentially large clear cedar siding job coming up, and would love to streamline the process.

 

[Stone Message]

Festool make the very best woodworking tools in the world - they do not make oil. Osmo make the best oil finishes in the world - they do not make woodworking tools and f they did make just one tool it would be rubbish.

The Surfix concept is brilliant but it would be better if Festool did a deal with Osmo and dropped their current oils. In the meantime, keep buying the fabulous Festool tools and get your oils from Osmo.

Peter

 

[BUTTER]

Festool make the very best woodworking tools in the world - they do not make oil. Osmo make the best oil finishes in the world - they do not make woodworking tools and f they did make just one tool it would be rubbish.

The Surfix concept is brilliant but it would be better if Festool did a deal with Osmo and dropped their current oils. In the meantime, keep buying the fabulous Festool tools and get your oils from Osmo.

Peter

Thank you Peter; perhaps my question isn't clear?  I am specifically interested in using Osmo and Penofin oils in a more efficient way, and wondering if others have had experiences (positive or negative) using these products within the Surfix applicator system.

 

[Timtool]

I stopped using the surfix system, for me it doesn't fit in my workflow as well as a regular can of oil applied with a brush.
The applicator in my eyes was the weakest point of it all, the sponge is basically for 1 use and then throw away because it hardens. So that is the first part i abandoned, then i just used the bottles to squeeze the oil out and wipe with a rag, very messy.
Now i'm just using osmo oil with a brush, goes faster and works cleaner. And if you put the brush in spirits you can can keep using it forever.

The surfix is ideal for those oiling kitchen worktops on site and such, it's not for big jobs or frequent use i think.

 

[mouppe]

I am sure Festool are rebranding someone else's oil for their Surfix kit in the same way they rebranded Stabila levels (I think it was Stabila). Since Osmo are German, it is even possible that they are Osmo oils in the surfix kit.

 

[TurnagainD]

I don't see why other oils couldn't be used with the surfix applicator.  I have tried out the Surfix on a number of projects and found the applicator specifically likes flat surfaces. I also found three light coats works best for me.

Kevin

 

[johninthecamper]

festool how about a smaller sponge and or brush tip

 

[jeep jake]

i pretty much only use oil, i really like the one step oil. The applicator is killer it really makes it very easy and clean

 

[leakyroof]

I stopped using the surfix system, for me it doesn't fit in my workflow as well as a regular can of oil applied with a brush.
The applicator in my eyes was the weakest point of it all, the sponge is basically for 1 use and then throw away because it hardens. So that is the first part i abandoned, then i just used the bottles to squeeze the oil out and wipe with a rag, very messy.
Now i'm just using osmo oil with a brush, goes faster and works cleaner. And if you put the brush in spirits you can can keep using it forever.

The surfix is ideal for those oiling kitchen worktops on site and such, it's not for big jobs or frequent use i think.

. I did not experience this problem with the applicator sponge at all. I will leave it for weeks at a time, and return to find it still very useable . I primarily was using the Outdoor Oil.
My feelings on using the SurFix oil system do not take Osmo into account as I've yet to use it.

 

[ajones]

if the sponge is kept in a ziplock type bag and the air excluded the sponge will be good for  six months plus

 

[Timtool]

if the sponge is kept in a ziplock type bag and the air excluded the sponge will be good for  six months plus

Maybe they changed something from the time i was using it, because i kept mine in a sealed plastic bag with as few air as possible, and that would keep the sponge for a week or two max. I didn't use the metal container because the dimples would seal the bottom of the sponge and render it impermeable. Keeping it as intended in the metal containers would keep the sponge just for 24 hours, but even then it would get hard. I almost exclusively used the heavy duty oil, which i suppose hardens more.