Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: Maple Workbench Slab Finishing

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    322

    Maple Workbench Slab Finishing

    I just bought a 25"x72"x1-3/4" slab of laminated maple for a workbench top.

    Since I'm building off the Veritas plans and need to shorten the bench a little to fit my shop, I will be making some cuts (making two 10-3/4"x65" slabs) - first with a circular saw, then either with a TS or a router to clean up the circular saw cuts. I will also be drilling lots of dog holes (I think the plans call for almost 40).

    The slab has some kind of finish on it already - but when I'm finished, I will probably be using a WATCO Oil finish for the entire bench. I'm concerned that when I cut thru the existing finish, exposing raw wood, that the top will absorb (or lose) moisture and start moving around.

    My question is - as I cut (and later, drill dog holes) in the slab(s) - how quickly do I need to re-seal (with poly?, shellac?, WATCO?) the newly exposed raw wood?

    Also - do I need to use the SAME (WATCO) finish top and bottom - or can I just leave the original (poly?) finish on the underside?
    Last edited by Brian Dormer; 03-31-2007 at 6:20 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Shoreline, CT
    Posts
    2,923
    The original finish isn't poly, it's most likely a catalyzed lacquer of some sort.
    Remove it if it is too slick to work on, otherwise I'd just put a coat of Watco over the cut end to make the color look right.

    If the slab has had plenty of time to stabilize in your shop conditions, removing the finish isn't something that is going to cause an immediate reaction.

    You'll have plenty of time to remove and replace. I would be consistent with similar finish on both top and bottom.

Similar Threads

  1. Finishing hard maple problems.
    By Perry Schmidt in forum Off Topic Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-25-2006, 1:34 PM
  2. Finishing maple armoire
    By Gary Hoemann in forum Project Finishing
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 12-21-2005, 1:16 AM
  3. Dumb Question- Workbench - Silver Maple or Ash?
    By Scott Behrens in forum Neanderthal Haven
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 07-11-2005, 4:02 PM
  4. Finishing maple!!!!
    By Pete Rosenbohm in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 07-07-2004, 1:47 PM
  5. Workbench Maple vs European Beech
    By Jim Taylor in forum Neanderthal Haven
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-11-2004, 9:13 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •