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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/best finish for drawing board?

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Expert: - 7/22/2010


Question
I recently bought an architect's drawing board for 5$ at a yard sale.  The top was warped and split so I'm replacing it with a stain-grade pine panel I bought at a big chain home-improvement store.  I've disassembled the desk and am staining the components ebony and cherry before reassembling.  I'm going to stain the drawing surface cherry, and want a durable protective surface finish.  The components will get oil and wax over the stain, but I think the drawing surface needs something more protective.

Answer
Hi Charles, you could use an oil/varnish product like WaterLox...a great finish that's super easy to apply, or a wipe on urethane like Generals Satin Gel, (the Gel stains are also excellent)...also an easy finish to apply. Be advised that Pine is soft, and will mark easily even with a finish on it, and these glued up panels may not be the most stable panels for such a thing....a hard cabinet grade plywood top, perhaps edged in solid wood, or the pre glued wood edge banding tape, would be a better and more durable top.....Hope that helps- post back if need be- Greg
http://www.waterlox.com/
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005555/16557/Clear-Satin-Topcoat-Gel-Stain-Qua...

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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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