Jjmedure Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 What's a good finish for a bench top made from beech wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darnell Hagen Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Mine is bare wood, I don't stain on it and I throw a piece of MDF on when I'm gluing. Watco is another good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 My ash bench top has a coat of Watco natural (no pigments) danish oil. The only reason I did this was to help occasional glue drips flake off. For "official" glue-ups, I run a strip of rosin paper or expired aviation charts down the bench. Reasons why I like a bare, or nearly bare, bench top: - GRIP! A bit of traction helps my holdfasts, planing stops, and bench hooks stay in place. There's nothing like chasing a board all over the place as you plane, chisel, drill, or cut biscuit slots, and not having to clamp every move saves a bunch of time and motion. - Tune-ups. If you happen to notice a high spot in the future, a film finish is a be-otch to plane. With Watco, you can level off the spot and simply wipe on some more finish. - I think the bare top just looks better as it gathers "patina" from use. Flims look all chopped, scratched, and cut up. I only used oil for appearance's sake. The bottom of the bench is raw. Choice "B" for me is nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jjmedure Posted March 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I ended up buffing it with a little minwax finishing wax to help with glue drops, did a berry light coat. Seems to of worked out well. It's not slippery and released glue drops nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikepdarr Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 I like BLO. Glue or epoxy just chips or flakes right off. It doesn't leave a film finish and it dries pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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