Jessica Pierce-LaRose
12-30-2012, 2:59 PM
I recently received the Feb. 13 issue of Popular Woodworking, and there's a tip I submitted in that issue; it occurred to me that I hadn't posted it here - I thought I had mentioned it, but a quick search didn't turn anything up, so I thought I'd share it here as well. It's nothing ground-breaking, but it's been helpful to me at times.
Often times, wetting end grain with alchohol or mineral spirits makes the cutting easier and the finish better. It isn't always necessary, of course, but sometimes it makes the difference. A lot of times with smaller pieces, I forgo this step because I don't like wrestling open the container and whatever "safety" lid it's got, and then dealing with a rag or a brush to wipe it on.
It occurred to me I've got the perfect solution in my art drawer - most artists markers are alcohol based. Obviously, I don't want to color my piece, but artists-brand markers, like Copic, Prismacolor and others often sell what they call a "blender" marker - it's basically just the solvent, without any pigment added. The purpose is to blend the colors that are already put down on the paper.
But it works great for wetting smaller amounts of end grain - just uncap the marker, draw over the end grain a couple of times, cap it up and your good to go. No muss or fuss.
I've been using the Copic Wide (http://www.copicmarker.com/products/markers/wide) brand markers, because the nib is fairly wide - it's 3/4" of an inch, but if you get the skewed tip, you get 7/8" of width. Most nice markers like the Copics are refillable when they're used up, and the nibs are replaceable if they get too chewed up.
If you prefer a something other than alcohol, "blank" markers, with nothing inside are available - marketed to artists to custom mix colors, I've had luck filling them with mineral spirits. I haven't tried oil.
Be careful filling them up - the insides are almost like a sponge, and if you put a whole lot of liquid in there at first, it will spill out as it takes a bit for the insides to soften up and start really absorbing. Adding a little bit and then adding a little more later seems to be the best way to go.
These markers are readily available at art stores, and online at Amazon and Dick Blick. I've used both the Copic and Prismacolor with success, I'd imagine other brands would work.
Often times, wetting end grain with alchohol or mineral spirits makes the cutting easier and the finish better. It isn't always necessary, of course, but sometimes it makes the difference. A lot of times with smaller pieces, I forgo this step because I don't like wrestling open the container and whatever "safety" lid it's got, and then dealing with a rag or a brush to wipe it on.
It occurred to me I've got the perfect solution in my art drawer - most artists markers are alcohol based. Obviously, I don't want to color my piece, but artists-brand markers, like Copic, Prismacolor and others often sell what they call a "blender" marker - it's basically just the solvent, without any pigment added. The purpose is to blend the colors that are already put down on the paper.
But it works great for wetting smaller amounts of end grain - just uncap the marker, draw over the end grain a couple of times, cap it up and your good to go. No muss or fuss.
I've been using the Copic Wide (http://www.copicmarker.com/products/markers/wide) brand markers, because the nib is fairly wide - it's 3/4" of an inch, but if you get the skewed tip, you get 7/8" of width. Most nice markers like the Copics are refillable when they're used up, and the nibs are replaceable if they get too chewed up.
If you prefer a something other than alcohol, "blank" markers, with nothing inside are available - marketed to artists to custom mix colors, I've had luck filling them with mineral spirits. I haven't tried oil.
Be careful filling them up - the insides are almost like a sponge, and if you put a whole lot of liquid in there at first, it will spill out as it takes a bit for the insides to soften up and start really absorbing. Adding a little bit and then adding a little more later seems to be the best way to go.
These markers are readily available at art stores, and online at Amazon and Dick Blick. I've used both the Copic and Prismacolor with success, I'd imagine other brands would work.