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Results 1 to 7 of 7
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13th February 2010, 08:30 PM #1
Novice
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Plywood Workbench - Best way to finish?
Hi all,
this is my first woodworking project nearing completion. A pre-cut flat-pack plywood workbench. As a novice, I was wondering if anybody could advise on the best way to get a nice glossy durable finish? If indeed it is possible....... (Please note I haven't finished aligning doors/drawers...)
Cheers,
Steve.
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13th February 2010, 09:05 PM #2
Traditional wisdom is that working benches get a simple finish. There are a a couple of reasons for this.
- A gloss finish can be too slick and slippery, so it is harder to get work to stay put.
- Despite your best efforts, the finish will get marred by glue, tools and work. A simple finish is easily repaired or replaced as needed.
High durability finishes like polyurethane etc can look good but will be a nightmare to refinish once they get the slightest scratch or mark on them.
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14th February 2010, 12:07 AM #3
Novice
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- Feb 2010
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- Newtown, Sydney
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- 3
Thanks malb,
I have been scanning previous threads on finishing ply and have seen the mention of "fills". Is it worth using something like this noting the ply is so soft and porous? I should have mentioned that I intend to put a protective sheet of thin ply or rubber on the work surface (building model steam locomotives) What I really want to bring up nice is the doors and drawers. What is is the finest grade of sandpaper I should use? It is the non-work surfaces I would like to get looking schmick... I must say having spent so long working with metals it is a really nice change working with timber, especially the beaut smell......
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14th February 2010, 09:41 AM #4
GOLD MEMBER
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- Mar 2008
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- Townsville, Nth Qld
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Masonite is a good hardwearing top sheet for a workbench, and can be cheaply replaced, and it will contrast with the ply nicely
regards,
Dengy
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14th February 2010, 09:14 PM #5
Novice
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- Feb 2010
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- Newtown, Sydney
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Finished the bench for the time being tonight, used 80, 120 and 400 grade sandpaper and then rubbed in some danish oil with a cloth. I am chuffed with the result for a first project. I like the Masonite idea Jill and will pick some up for a protective surface.
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14th February 2010, 10:40 PM #6
.
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- Feb 2006
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- Perth
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- 1,174
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20th February 2010, 10:23 PM #7
Novice
- Join Date
- Feb 2007
- Location
- sydney
- Posts
- 6
man id love to see one of the locos your talking about..
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