First Oak Bowl - what finish

[Paul Disdle]

This is my first oak bowl and I am unsure what the best finish for dry oak is. I will not be used for food other than maybe wrapped sweets. It is 7.5" diameter and just under 3" high.

Any and all advise very welcome

Thanks

Paul

[Bryan Milham]

There will probably be as many different answers as there are people answering, but I'll offer a couple to start with.

Using a wet then well wrung out cloth wipe over gently to raise the grain and sand back, at least twice. Then use a sanding sealer, again cut back and finish with a good paste wax. This will give you a smooth furniture quality finish.

Alternatively...

Damp & cut back as before, then a coat or 2 of an oil. My preference is Danish or Finishing Oil but I'd say go with whatever is on your shelf.

And of course, a picture of the finished article would be good to.

[woodndesign]

Hi Paul, Bryan has it  about covered, I was about to reply with the following, his post beat me...

 Oak if dry can be hard to get a go finishing cut and sanding may not clean up every bit, there's a little patch on the inside in the end grain which looks like dust filled grain tearout, is it so, as it's still mounted can you try an remove it with a fresh ground sharp gouge, you look to have a step a little way down from the rim, you could work from there with the clean up of the grain, your rim looks as if it has a double edge.

For a finish you could use Danish Oil, even a thin coat to help final sanding will lift the grain and show any marks missed, wipe clean and apply Oil to what you what as a finish, wiping dry between coats.

Look forward to see it finished.

Cheers  David

[thebowlerhattedturner]

Hello Paul,
              for your first Oak bowl I think you have done very well. I finish mine by spraying with a mist of water to raise the grain, let it dry naturally but remove(mop) any excess water.Sand through the grits and keep the paper moving all of the time, do this 2 or 3 times at least.Do not be tempted to apply any finish until the sanded finish is the best you can get. I would finish it with Danish oil, liberally applied and then wet sanded with wet and dry paper(not cloth). Wipe the bowl clean with paper and leave to dry. Check for sanding marks and remove any you see. For a really good finish apply about 20 coats of Danish oil, leaving it to dry each time and removing any excess after 20 mins.(this could take a week at least). Once it is fully dry I would apply about 15 coats of a good wax polish that has Carnauba wax in it and polish with the grain not across it as all cloth will leave marks but doing it this way minimizes them. This may seem to be a long and convoluted way of finishing but mark my words you will certainly end up with an impressive finish. Depending on the piece I am making and it's final destination it can take me a lot longer to finish the piece than turning it in the first place and this in my opinion is the mark of quality.
Regards
John
#BHT

[woody]

Well done Paul for your first that is one fine bowl I wont comment of finish you have already been given good sound advice and to many different way will only lead to confusion and yes don't forget to show us the finished product

[Paul Disdle]

Thank you for all the good advise and let the grain raising and sanding begin.  Is this technique specific for oak or is it good for other woods? Please could I have brand recommendations for paste wax and wax polish

Thanks

[woodndesign]

Paul, it is ideal to carryout on all your bowl work for that excellent finish, the number of coats can be down to your choice.

We all have are own ideas and all differ as to the best. For finishes have a look at: http://www.chestnutproducts.co.uk/ ....

Cheers  David