Tip Sheet Index
Hardwood Lumber & More... has compiled the following collection of Tip Sheets to help you find simple solutions to common finishing problems. Our objective is to provide information that will make you more productive and better informed so your shop time will be more rewarding. We have used all of the procedures and techniques found in these pages. However, you should still test any technique that is unfamiliar to you before you take it to your project.
From time to time we will add more tips to these pages. But again, our objective is to give you the information you need. Therefore, if you are having a problem not addressed here please let us know how we can help you.
| Brush Care | With proper care your prize varnish brushes will last for many years. Even your less expensive brushes will give you better results and will last much longer. |
| Coming Soon CA Glue for Filling & Stabilizing |
CA (Cyanoacrylate) glue can be in invaluable tool in filling small defects and stabilizing fine hair-line cracks in wood. This tip sheet explains how. |
| Cutting Board Finish | This is a simple to apply and easy repair finish that can be applied to cutting boards, working wood countertops, wooden bowls, and wooden kitchen utensils. |
| Coming Soon Filling the Grain |
Using paste wood-filler and other techniques to achieve a "glass-smooth" finish. |
| Coming Soon Glazing |
Glazing is a very simple process. It is easy to learn, easy to apply, and it does not require special tools or expensive finishes. Adding this versatile finishing tool to your toolbox will give depth and character to your finishes. |
| Oil/Varnish Blend | If your preferred finish is "Danish Oil"; even if you only use it infrequently you may want to read this article and begin making your own. So-called "Danish Oil" is simply a mixture of varnish, boiled linseed oil, and mineral spirits. By making your own oil/varnish blend (the more appropriate term for this finish) you can save a substantial amount of money and gain control over the composition of the finish. |
| Pre-Raising the Grain | Just because pre-raising the grain is "conventional wisdom" does not mean that this time consuming step is either useful or necessary. |
| Pre-Stain Conditioners | If you are using these products regularly you may want to take a bit of time to discover what they are and what the do. As a result you may just discover that you have been employing the wrong tools to color certain types of wood—there may be a better, perhaps even easier way. |
| Varnish With A Brush | Applying varnish with a brush isn't really all that difficult. It does require a proper varnish brush or two, an understanding of how to prepare your varnish for brushing, and a bit of practice. This short article will take you through the process and get you started in the right direction. |
| Varnish by Wiping it On | If you don't do a lot of varnishing or you don't want to invest in a set of good varnish brushes then applying varnish using the wipe-on technique may be just what you are looking for. You can easily achieve all of the advantages of varnish with none of the usual effort. Wiping on varnish is as close to a fool-proof technique as you will ever find. |
| Coming SoonVeneer Repair | Have you ever sanded through the face veneer on a sheet of plywood; or, perhaps sanded too much when refinishing a veneered piece of furniture. Or perhaps you just need to match a finish where glue squeeze-out prevented your stain from coloring the wood as it should. This technique may be the solution to your problem. |
| What is that Finish? | Do you need to identify an existing finish. Here is a series of simple tests you can use. |
| Wood Filler vs. Wax Sticks | How to fill nail holes and similar defects in such a way that they become virtually invisible. Covers the advantages of wax filler sticks and tubs over the so-called "stainable" wood fillers. |
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