What do you folks who make your own tool handles prefer for finish?
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What do you folks who make your own tool handles prefer for finish?
I leave my handle unfinished. I prefer the feel of the wood when I am using them.
Joe
I made several handles early on and I sanded to 220, laid on a couple coats of dewaxed shellac (Seal Coat) on the lathe, buffed most of that off with 0000, and ended up with a nice, smooth handle that still had a very grippable surface. The shellac soaked into the wood and seemed to keep the handles cleaner in appearance than they would have been left unfinished.
I prefer unfinished. Over time it'll become polished and worn in by my hands and the patina-ed look of well used tools just appeals to me for whatever reason.
I use either BLO or Teak oil. For the teak oil I start with a 50/50 mix with mineral spirits so I get a good penetration, allow it to dry overnight and the next day apply one more coat. If I decide I want a shiny finish I apply more coats over the next few days. The teak oil has some varnish in it, so several coats will build up to a shiny finish. On the BLO I again mix 50/50 for the first coat, apply a second coat a couple of days later, allow to dry then a little beeswax is applied.
I have some that are unfinished, but if I do finish, I will put on some walnut oil... I do have a couple of figured maple handles on my Big Ugly tools, and I think I put some wipe on poly on them, but most of the time I just grab what ever is handy for handles.
robo hippy
What ever I have handy. I have used poly, sanding sealer, CA/BLO & some that are unfinished. I wouldn't be able to pick the one I like best.
I wind rope around the handle for texture and to get the diameter I wantQuote:
Originally Posted by Sid Matheny
Covered by hockey tape for grip.
seriously!
Oh!
if you want it to look pretty, maybe don’t follow my lead.....
I don't like a film finish. I soak some Watco "danish" oil into the wood, just because. But more important to me than the finish is texturing for a better grip. I use whatever I feel like at the moment, texturing tools, turned textures, carved textures.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Edwards
Attachment 380851 Attachment 380849 Attachment 380850
I was taught to leave them unfinished.. Fewer blisters and tools sliding around in your hands...
The honest truth is that I don't really use my chisels this hard... I haven't got blisters from using any of my chisels... Not even my Rasps - I have not had a problem with my Auriou rasps which ship with finished handles...
but I don't finish my tool handles in homage to a retired, crotchety old British pattern maker who told me not to..
Unfinished, sanded to 180. like the feel.
This is good info, hadn't thought about not finishing. Seems to be a preference for either unfinished or something that's not glossy. I appreciate any extra comments.
A finished handle is easier to get blood off . DAMHIKT
I'm with Sid. I use whatever is handy. I am partial to oil-varnish because it's so easy to apply and feels great, but I probably do most with a coat or two of Zinsser Seal coat, and then buff.
I do similar to John but instead of straight shellac I use 2 pats dna to one part. More like a sealer. I typically sand to 320 then burnish with 0000 for a harder but smooth surface.