Burr finishing

Morning all,

How do you finish the outside of a burr? I have a nice knobbly bit of oak burr, and was thinking of using finishing oil on the inside and top, but I am not sure what to put on the knobbly outside, and on the natural edge bit of the bowl. Any suggestions?

I haven't really had much luck with spray finishes so far, but I could try a spray lacquer.

Thanks

Alan

With the nobbly bits I wire brush them and use a Dremel Tool with the circular Sanders to take the spike off the stems. I have get success with Lacquers. I find matte unsatisfactory but the gloss for me is best. The edges need more care.

This is my treatment with burl slices I use for Pen Rests. Works for me. Inside bowls choose your favourite.

Peter.

I defer to Peter - he has a great deal more experience with burrs than most of us I suspect, but for me, I usually use an oil on burrs and natural edged work - all of it not just the nobbly bits, And my usual choice of oil is plain, cheap supermarket value vegetable oil. Sounds ridiculous I know, but its a good finish for such things. Also one of the finishes of choice of Mark Baker (editor woodturning magazine) which is how I came across it. It it's good enough for him....

As above oils and spray are the best I would personally avoid using past waxes as it tends to leave white residue in the rough areas which spoil all the work that you have put into the piece

I always use Oil on that type of bowl all over on the uneven natural edges or bark i use a paint brush and stipple it on wiping of any drips that run down

Like Woody, oil stipples on with a brush then wipe off. When dry I buff with rotary cactus bristle brushes. I've also used spray on occasions. Both work well.

Thanks everyone.

I will go with the oil - will leave practicing with sprays until I have a piece of wood that isn't so pretty! I have a series of buffing wheels, so can use those on the inside afterwards.

Thanks again

Alan

Peter is the expert with Burrs.

My mate the professional woodturner uses laquer he buys by the 20 litres, then Black Bison Polish then brushes with a Horse Hair Brush on a Drill stand shortly after, makes a king finish. Both his wholesale and retail customers love the finish. The laquer is made in Sydney not a proposition to send to the UK, is unique in that it was developed for the photographic industry. When we had our Studio I sprayed the huge number of prints (School Photographs). It defied Tea and Coffee and kids handling. Now used extensively in the furniture building business. Can be bought cut several ways from Matt to High Gloss. We sprayed it with low pressure vibrator spray guns.

Peter.

What Woody said

Well, I didn't get a finish put on last night - I took it off the lathe, and found it had moved quite a bit, meaning it now rocked quite badly.

I had turned a flat on the underside of the bowl, which must have released some of the tension. I have now put the bowl into the house to settle a bit, and will re-turn the flat on the underside once it has stopped moving. I just ordered some new jaws for my chuck that should help with that.

Thanks for all the advice

Alan