OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

81049 "Bill Taggart" ilikerust@w... 2000‑07‑16 RE: Cleaning and refinishing wooden planes
Jeff wrote:

> I'm sorry to offer a direct contradiction, but very infrequently I've
> given my two wooden planes a rub of boiled linseed oil. Most of my
> self-made workshop jigs and gadgets are made in European Beech and
> given the odd rub of oil. No problems.
>
> However, I cursed the day when after trueing up my beech bench top I
> swilled raw linseed oil on the top and rubbed it in. It took a week or
> two to dry, after contaminating paper and workpieces left on the 'dry'
> surface.

I've used linseed oil with great results on old saw handles, after cleaning
first. I apply in THIN layers, with a paper towel or old t-shirt. Let the
first coat dry a couple hours, then apply another. Let dry a day or two,
then another. If necessary, I come back a week or two later and apply
another.

I've got several saws I've done this for - about once or twice a year, while
I'm linseeding something else, I'll hit the saw handles if needed. It's hard
enough - never been sticky. Tom Price advised I should hit them with shellac
and be done with it. I'll probably do that when I get a round tuit.

I'm sure that local humidity at the time of application, the age of the oil
when used, how heavy a coat you apply are all factors affecting how well
this works...

- Bill Taggart
- At home in Califon, NJ, USA



Recent Bios FAQ