I think one of the best ways to describe it is a brain dump. The biscuits will give you all the weightbearing strength you need for the shelves, and the back will make it solid so it wont rack. Obviously, this article only skims the surface of all there is to know about wood finishing. Before beginning his writing and teaching career, he spent 20 years running a woodworking and restoration shop. It is rare that a finish name provides any useful information and it is common for it to be misleading, especially for anything with the word, oil in it, especially tung and danish oil finishes. A goodlooking finish always starts with a thorough sanding job, especially with a soft wood like pine. The shelf can then hold up more than twice the weight of two shorter shelves. However, according to bob flexner in his book, flexner on finishing.
The other is that it could cause a poor bond to the wood if left too thick. After power sanding, always sand by hand, using a block, before you go on to the next grit. By bob flexner finishing is a mystery to most woodworkers, but its not because finishes are difficult to apply. Jan 26, 2011 some straight talk about cherry and blotching. Planning to make some cabinets want to give them a good finish. The net effect is that one long shelf with a center support can hold up more weight than two shorter shelves. And while some good came out of the flexner report, what really came out was a new asofyet untapped way to turn a profit through medical science without the competition of medical professionals outside the fold. Bob flexner really nailed it with his books, he nicely demystifies all the finishing products and provides nice step by step instructions on how to apply, which finish to choose plus explains common finishing mistakes which cause people to get frustrated. Bob flexner is the author of flexner on finishing, wood finishing 101, and understanding wood finishing. How to build corner tree bookshelf with reading get teds woodworking plans stepbystep blueprints how to build corner tree bookshelf with reading complete instructions from start to finish. Other books such as flexner on finishing and wood finishing 101, plus. Order online or purchase at your nearest carbatec store. How to finish red oak book shelves with an appropriate.
Woodworkers find wood finishes hard to master because of contradictory information, but. Retired custom furniture maker that i am, i thought i would share something about this book. Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. For the amateur woodworker or someone wanting to do basic finishing, flexner s book wood finishing. Also i recommend picking up bob flexners book on finishing, it will put you way ahead in the game. Apr 17, 2019 what i said above about woodworking skills goes triple for finishing. Remember, the finish is only as good as the surface unless youre applying heavy paint, or youre going to intentionally texturedecorate. Learn which wood finish you really need for the project or wood youre finishing. Currently, i am stripping and restaining an oak bookshelf. Charles is a guy who has extensive years of experience in the finishing world and probably finishes more projects in a month than ill finish this year. It is about 10 years old now, so some of the product info is dated.
How to select and apply the right finish 9780875965666 by flexner, bob and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Now, from this bestselling author comes the longawaited and completely updated second edition of understanding wood finishing the most practical, comprehensive book on finishing ever published. Stepbystep blueprints plans for building a canoe bookshelf stepbystep blueprintshow to plans for building a canoe bookshelf for subscribe today. Everything you need to finish your woodworking projects like a pro no more mystery. I will be attempting to finish a few bookshelves next week that i have planned to. How to select and apply the right finish bob flexner on. I will slightly disagree on one point that both you and flexner make that a penetrating finish such as tung oil and linseed oil do not result in. Now, from this bestselling author comes the longawaited and completely updated second edition of understanding wood finishing, the most practical, comprehensive book on finishing. Walnut is a relatively soft wood so youll want a hard finish and i would go for polyurethane. I dont want to walk past a shelf and have the ceiling light bounce off of it like from a mirror. Wood finishing 101 by bob flexner simplifies techniques into a pictorial stepbystep presentation to make finishing comfortable for any level of woodworker, or weekend homeimprover. You should also check out bob flexners understanding wood finishes.
Any goodquality natural bristle brush with flagged tips flagged, or split, tips carry more finish and deliver it more evenly onto the workpiece should do the trick. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. Bob flexner march 14, 2011 heres how to cut through all the confusion about oil, tung oil and wiping varnish. Apr 08, 2020 flexner threw out the baby with the snake oil. Whether its polyurethane, danish oil, or spray lacquer, the winner never changes. You can see what the wood will look like with only a finish applied by wetting the wood with a liquid, such as paint thinner. Let bobs years of experience guide you to beautiful results using his easy to understand directions. He had just built a bookcase and was trying to match the approximate sheen of a factoryfinished piece of furniture he. Although at least 10 varieties and more than a dozen brands of finish are available, all can be divided into two categories. Shelf life of stain i hardly know very much about finishing despite having read a bit of flexner book, however wrt to getting it to cure what temperature did you apply and what temp are you using to cure the stain.
Danish oil is made with linseed oil and either turpentine or mineral spirits, making it a poor choice for surfaces that will be in contact with food products. Ive already sanded it with 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 180, 220. When the surface is scratched, uncured material is exposed and the solvents are lost producing a new cured area and a weak point in the finish layer. For anyone wanting a more indepth coverage of finishing, read flexner s book understanding wood finishing. Describing finishing so a novice feels comfortable and experiences success the first time is not easy, but heres an attempt. Take control of finishing by learning how to use the many finishes availableand what those products actually are.
He spent a lot of time researching the chemistry of products on the market, going to educational seminars, and applying his knowledge. Understanding wood finishing how to select and apply the right finish by bob flexner and publisher fox chapel publishing. In his report, flexner analyzed the status of american medical education and deemed it sorely lacking. Flexner on finishing blog popular woodworking magazine. But every finishing slip up will always be visible. It gets more things right than any book i have ever read on the subject. Its almost overwhelming and isnt a read book but a study book. In this book, his first since understanding wood finishing, bob flexner delves deeper into the basics of wiping varnish popular woodworking magazine bob flexner gives his best tip on how to avoid runs. Orbital sanders leave swirl marks that make the stained surface look muddy. Flexner has a long discussion about the meaninglessness of finish names. Nursing is a profession that blends the rich traditions of the past with the ever changing realities of todays health care industry.
In short, the flexner report enabled a monopoly on healthcare. Flexner s book on finishing is an awesome resource. The flexner report and the standardization of american correction contact me if this article is corrected. Plans for building a canoe bookshelf kings fine woodworking inc. A finish is necessary to protect the wood from water damage, dirt, stains, etc. In this book, his first since understanding wood finishing, bob flexner delves deeper into many of the issues woodworkers struggle with and he does it with an authority that leaves no doubt. Understanding wood finishing 9781607654162, 1607654164. Review of abraham flexners the usefulness of useless knowledge. Plans for building a canoe bookshelf what makes the perfect woodworking plan.
If you are finishing more than one object, or a very large object, prepare a step panel so you know when you have reached your target color. Understanding wood finishing bob flexner great wood finishes jeff jewitt tauntons complete illustrated guide to finishing jeff jewitt the new wood finishing book michael dresdner i hope that this is of some use to you. The sides of a case hold a fixed shelf at a rigid right angle. So theres no way to make a definitive declaration about the best finish for mahogany. Do it wrong, and youll never want to finish wood again. How the flexner report hijacked natural medicine cancer tutor. Bob flexner compares the three main finishing tools. Finally, the truth about wood finishes wagner meters. Bob flexner s widely popular book has been updated to include spray gun application of a variety of finishes, including common problems in applying them, the pros and cons of using twopart finishes, and many safety tips about chemicals, combinations, and proper procedures in wood finishing. In 1908, he was employed by the carnegie foundation for the advancement of teaching and, in 1910, issued the groundbreaking and controversial medical education in the united states and canada, commonly called the flexner report. Build stronger, sagproof shelves popular woodworking. Understanding wood finishing by bob flexner m14 forum. Mr flexner has done a commendable job of decoding the variety of claims put forth by duplicitous finishing advertisements, wellmeaning individuals, and ignorant fools in the world of wood finishing. Apr 18, 2018 in addition to darkening the coloring, you can also tweak it if you havent gotten it exactly right with the stain.
There is a tremendous amount of misinformation as well as mislabeling when it comes to finishing and finshes. Nevertheless, a dirty wipe is such an effective and oftenused method that it has its own name. Taking the mystery out of wood finishing, this completely updated second edition includes the latest technical updates on materials and techniquesfrom spray guns to french polishingwith detailed stepbystep instructions and explanations. In this book, his first since understanding wood finishing, bob flexner delves deeper into many of the issues woodworkers struggle with and he does. Bob flexner is a contributing editor to popular woodworking and the author of woodworking finishing books, including flexner on finishing, understanding wood finishing, and wood finishing 101, available at. Finishing for firsttimers popular woodworking magazine. In this book, his first since understanding wood finishing, bob flexner delves deeper into many of the issues woodworkers struggle with and he does it with an authority that leaves no.
But thinning reduces the film build, which might result in your having to apply an extra coat or two of. Bob flexner s book on wood finishing is a fantastic book. What i said above about woodworking skills goes triple for finishing. An overview of flexners characteristics of true profession. Proper storage will save you money, reduce clutter and, in the case of flammable materials, possibly save your shop. The thinner you make any finishing product, the easier it is to apply and the better it levels. Thinning a product is the solution for the most common application problems brush marks, orange peel and air bubbles drying in the finish. Itll be a bookshelf that your son can pass on to his kids. When i opened my furnituremaking and restoration shop in 1976, the woods considered best for highend furniture were walnut and mahogany. Also available are his dvds on repairing furniture and refinishing furniture. He is the author of the authoritative and bestselling book, understanding wood finishing still in print after 15 years and he writes the flexner on. June 18, 2016 bob finish finisher finishers finishes finishing flexner spray no wipe on oak spray no wipe on pine the finishing store woodworkers if you have a spray gun, you can use it to create an entirely different look on the wood than you get wiping or brushing the stain and wiping off the excess. Sadly, her bookcases arent finished yet, but since cataract surgery, she can now at. Flexner on finishing by bob flexner overdrive rakuten.
He has struck a balance between explaining chemistry and oversimplification. Waterlox with multiple coats, wipeonpoly with multiple coats will give you a builtup shiny film finish, much like cafinished pens. In the introduction bob flexner states that he originally wrote this book because there is so much confusing information out there about finishing wood. This is a discussion on understanding wood finishing by bob flexner within the stock forums, part of the rifle forum category. Seven ways to a richer and darker finish woodshop news. See understanding wood finishing by bob flexner for everything i know on the subject.
This is the complete wood finishing techniques freebie from our expert, bob flexner. Every piece of furniture, whether new or antique, needs a finish, but no single finish is right for all situations. Jeff jewitts, great wood finishes and bob flexner s, understanding wood finishing both have excellent sections on rubbing out a finish, along with everything from detailed information types and properties of wood finishes to the basic finishing dos and donts that every woodworker should know. Add a lip to take advantage of the thickness multiplier effect. In addition to writing the first edition of understanding wood finishing, bob has made two awardwinning videos, hosted the furniture workshop, his own callin radio show, and taught several hundred workshops and seminars. Finally answers to your wood finishing fears and frustrations. For anyone wanting a more indepth coverage of finishing, read flexners book understanding wood finishing. James thomas flexner january, 1908 february, 2003 was an american historian and biographer best known for the fourvolume biography of george washington that earned him a national book award in biography and a special pulitzer prize. Learn from the best selling finishing book for woodworkers for the past 10 years. Understanding wood finishing by bob flexner oil based. For the amateur woodworker or someone wanting to do basic finishing, flexners book wood finishing 101 would be ideal. If it cant do this, the finish could separate at the stain layer if it gets knocked or scratched.
For more than 18 years, bob flexner has been inspiring woodworkers with his writings and teachings on wood finishing. Finishing, simply put by charles neil the wood whisperer. Mar 25, 2020 brush up on your wood finishing technique with advice and instruction from the experts. His prose, while not terribly engaging, is by no means boring. Understanding wood finishing by flexner was helpful for me. Proper storage is always your final step woodshop news. Despite observing drying times, can a good wood stain on a bookshelf still. Charles neil teaches about shellac finishes and how to solve various finishing problems. I want it to match my other furniture, which is dark reddish, with black.
You dont know how long the shellac has been sitting on a store shelf or in a. But the finish you like best may not be the best one for your project, depending on its style and use. Built in bookcase, woodworking magazine, popular woodworking, astronomy, household, create, resin. Wood finishing 101 by bob flexner rockler woodworking and. Everything you need to finish your woodworking projects like a. If you want the best information, flexners book on finishing is an. How to build corner tree bookshelf with reading diy pete. Flexner on finishing ebook woodworking books, popular.
Making similar points from a quite different angle is the usefulness of useless knowledge by abraham flexner 18661959, the founding director of the institute for advanced study, in an edition from princeton university press with a long introduction by the institutes current director, robbert dijkgraaf. Flexner s ironclad rules for finishing woodshop news. Its one thing to describe finishing steps to an experienced finisher. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. At the other extreme, top shelf brushes are a joy to work with, but since lacquer is selfleveling, you dont need to do so much brushwork. House a shelf to take advantage of the strength of a glued joint. Finishing products and equipment are flammable and have a shelf life, so take. Finally answers to your wood finishing fears and frustrations flexner, bob on. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. I want it to match my other furniture, which is dark reddish, with black grain. Its quite another to teach someone who has never applied stain or finish to anything.
Bob flexner is the author of understanding wood finishing. I built a neat bookcase for my daughter from black walnut. The best book that i have found on wood finishing nonpaint is by bob flexner, understanding wood finishing rodale press. You have dozens, maybe hundreds, of ways to finish mahogany for your woodworking projects. Bob flexner has written more than 300 articles on wood finishing, made two awardwinning videos on repairing and refinishing furniture, hosted the furniture workshophis own callin radio show, and taught several hundred workshops and seminars. Solutions to a bakers dozen of common finishing difficulties. How to finish red oak book shelves with an appropriate clear. Wood finishing 101 is by bob flexner, who has been writing about and teaching wood finishing to hobbyists and professionals for over 20 years. All types of finishes have strengths and weaknesses, and a strength in one situation may become a weakness in another. How to build corner tree bookshelf with reading start to build your own furniture watch anywwere. Watco danish oil and tung oil are two common forms of wood finishing oil, each with their own unique drawbacks and benefits. Woodworking is mostly about mastering a large number of tools whereas finishing is mostly about mastering the use of a large number of products. Flexner is correct until the surface of a film finish is scratched.
Sep 01, 2017 this short overview of the three tools should make it clear how much finishing differs from woodworking. Charles neils finishing, simply put, is a 231page wealth of information. See more ideas about popular woodworking, woodworking magazine and woodworking. Understanding wood finishing how to select and apply the right finish this is the most practical, comprehensive book on finishing ever published, and is widely regarded as the bible of wood finishing.
Secret bookshelf door plans online get teds woodworking plans. For example, add some red or orange dye to the finish to warm the coloring or kill too much red by adding a little green dye. Bob flexner is author of understanding wood finishing and flexner on finishing. One is that it will muddy the wood more than if you wipe off all the excess. The cured layer extends only a few microns into the finish layer. Fasten a fixed shelf to the cases back for even more rigidity. You can apply a finish either directly to the wood or over a stain after it has dried.
Medical schools continue to struggle to overcome these untoward effects of the standardization of american medical education. The best book on finishing is understanding wood finishing by bob flexner. Take the mystery out of finishing wood as author bob flexner walks you through applying every kind of finish from beginning to end. If necessary you can seal the tung oil with a coat or two of blond shellac which has universal compatibility, then top coat with poly. If the shelf is made of relatively weak wood, consider using stronger wood for a back lip. The finish needs to be able to penetrate the stain and establish a bond to the wood. Before beginning his writing and teaching career, bob flexner spent 20 years running a woodworking and restoration shop. Now, from this bestselling author comes the longawaited and completely updated second edition of understanding wood finishing, the most practical, comprehensive book on finishing ever published. Bob flexner is a contributing editor to popular woodworking and the author of woodworking finishing books, including. Charles neil on shellac presented by woodcraft youtube.
Finishing products and equipment are flammable and have a shelf life, so take the necessary steps to keep your shop safe loadposition position10 as you accumulate products and tools for finishing, storage becomes an issue. Build stronger, sagproof shelves popular woodworking magazine. Nursing is not simply an assortment of special skills and the nurse is not simply a person proficient in performing these specific tasks. Jeff jewitt is the reigning guru among finishing experts, and i would urge you to visit a bookstore to survey his various offerings, to see which one best meets your needs. Save up to 68% on 7 issues of woodworking projects and tricks. Its surprisinf how discussions of finishing technics can get this confusing. Introduces wood finishing tools, materials and techniques, and covers oil finishes, stains, shellac, lacquer, varnish and waterbased finishes. The flexner report and the standardization of american. But, it advises to just use clear varnish or paint on pine. With over 30 years of woodworking experience and a particular expertise in finishing, you will not want to. Small bookshelf woodworking plans easy woodworking plans stepbystep blueprints small bookshelf woodworking plans lifetime monthly planshow to small bookshelf woodworking plans for read more the 1 last update 20200331. Bob flexner is author of understanding wood finishing and.
1060 69 1165 1277 1028 180 147 197 1445 1043 1055 138 1337 1289 1169 641 1539 1292 1159 220 876 1427 212 1047 536 1023 255 108 293 301 222 1425 231 1163 81 1372 173 1169 390 1396 1387 1223 501