Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood finish

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Expert: - 12/8/2011


Question
Hi Greg,I make a tool out of scrap wood I call a slabber for my job in the tissue industry. It has a tapered end and widens out, used to clean up a roll if it is damaged or from cutting a sample out of it. I have used polyurethane on it to help it slide through the roll and it helps protect it  from damage if dropped. I would like to know what is the most durable finish I could use. I want to use whatever would give me the hardest, smoothest finish available. Thanks for any advice.

Answer
Hey Steve, a catalyzed lacquer/varnish ...sprayed on would be the smoothest, most durable finish, but that's not an easy thing to do yourself.You could find a Kitchen cabinet shop that spray finishes their cabinets...they will be using these high tech finishes most likely, and would likely sray your tool for you in one of their finishing runs.....a modified Acrylic urethane would be a good choice. You can apply them with a small, disposable paint pad and get a nice smooth finish.There are some really good ones, waterborne technology has come a long way,....Zar's Ultramax (There's a "Wipe on" formula as well you can apply with a rag),Last 'n Last from Absolute Coatings, and Vermont Natural whey based finish are all fairly easy to apply and good choices...all products I use and recommend. You may have to search for these in your area, but they are far better than the typical consumer grade waterbornes you're likely to find...utilizing the crosslinking and 'dual' drying technology found in catalyzed finishes, they are low odor, dry fast, and cure hard....hope that helps a little - post back if need be

http://www.lastnlast.com/UltraGoldWoodFinish.php

http://www.vermontnaturalcoatings.com/our-products/polywhey-natural-furniture-fi

http://www.ugl.com/zarWoodFinishing/zarInteriorPolyurethane/zarUltraMax.php

http://www.ugl.com/zarWoodFinishing/zarInteriorPolyurethane/zarUltraMaxWipeOn.ph

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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