Smitty
SEPT/OCT
2003
Volume 46/Issue 5
IN
THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
Queen Anne Living Room Tables
• Covered Wagon Toy Box
• Tilting Shelf Sewing Thread Holder
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
Academy Notes
Clean
Cuts - Pt. 2 - Lathe Tool Sharpening
Service Pointers
MARK
V Miter Gauge
Safety Tips
Safety First!
What's
New
42"
Filter Hood for DC3300
EDUCATION
• Find
A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
• National
Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH
ONLINE
CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
• Request
Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online
Replacement Parts Catalog
MARK
V INFORMATION
• Find
A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
• Request
MARK V Information Package
LINKS
•
Links Worth Visiting
•
Free Woodworking
Tips
FEEDBACK
Contacting
Shopsmith
Copyright
2003.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ASK
SMITTY!
Here
are the questions . . .
and SMITTY’S answers for this issue!
Non-Toxic
Finish For Child's Cradle
From "Cindy", via e-mail:
I am building a cradle for my first grandchild and am really concerned
about what kind of finish to use. Can you help?
As a rule, with a cradle or crib, any kind of stained finish with a clear “overcoat” such as varnish or polyurethane is OK. Typically, children don't chew on cradles or cribs...perhaps that's because most components of such projects are just too big to chew on.
However, you should be sure not to use any lead-based paints (I'm not sure they're even available anymore). In fact, I'd probably not recommend using “paint” of any kind, as it could chip off.
If you're still concerned, try staining, then “overcoating” with a non-toxic finish such as Salad Bowl Finish or “Preserve” Oil finish. Both of these products are designed for cutting boards and other items that will come in contact with foods. Once dried, either of these products are non-toxic. The Salad Bowl finish can even be applied in multiple coats, then buffed to a hard, high-gloss finish.
Covering
"Stinky" Linseed Oil Finish
From "Fred", via e-mail:
My wife recently purchased a wooden box that appears to have been
finished at one time with linseed oil. The wood is dry, but the odor is
something else! I was wondering if I could apply a top coat of varnish
to get rid of this odor? I have set this box, opened, out in the sunshine
trying to get it to air out, but to no avail. The smell is still there.
Any help would be appreciated.
If we're assuming that you have a linseed oil finish on your box....varnish, shellac or polyurethane should “cure” over linseed oil nicely (lacquer will NOT). My suggestion is that you choose your favorite of these three and try it on the bottom or another spot where it won't be seen. Your first objective is to see whether or not it will “cure” properly. If it does, finish the entire piece. If it doesn't, try the next of these three. Just remember, shellac is not the most durable of finishes...so, I would try it last.
