Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Formby's finish

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Expert: - 2/26/2010


Question
Years ago (10+) I refinished a laminated rifle stock with a formby's finish. It came in a white plastic bottle(maybe vintage), and was not clear(had a brownish tint)I believe it was a stain + clear finish combo. I applied it with a cloth, in several coats, and it dried rock hard after setting a couple days.
I have been looking for it but can't find it.
I figured I'd ask an expert before giving up.
Thanks alot,
Art

Answer
Hey Art, sounds like Formby's Tung Oil Finish, and it's still available. Ace hardware still sells it, and I'm sure other places....but there are other alternatives too. True Oil, (a trusted Gun stock product) WaterLox-(the best in my opinion), Watco, etc. (available in a range of colors as well), but the others will have a natural warm brown coloration from the oils, and then there's also Minwax'x Antique Oil which is dark..(Tung, Linseed, other resins have a natural "motor oil" type color). Hope that helps- regards- Greg

http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey%C2%AE-Complete-Tru-Finish/dp/B001AT3AJ8/re...

http://www.amazon.com/Minwax-30069-Formbys-Tung-Finish/dp/B001BFZC2Y/ref=sr_1_37...

http://www.waterlox.com/desktopmodules/fathomecom/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?ct=...

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17393

http://www.amazon.com/Watco-Danish-Light-Walnut-Quart/dp/B000LO01G8

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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