I was lucky enough to be Bob Flexner’s editor for ‘Wood Finishing 101′. Throughout the process he and I both came back to the value of the images that would be in the book. Showing step-by-step, with pictures, how to apply a finish was the important part. Bob has always been a stickler for details, … Read more
Repair, strip and refinish to restore old pieces.
By Bob Flexner
Pages: 58-60
From the August 2011 issue #191
Buy this issue now
Refinishing is a topic worthy of an entire book. In fact, restoring furniture includes all of woodworking and finishing because all skills may be called into play. In lieu of a book, here are some not-so-random thoughts.
ARTICLES: We have many finishing articles available on our web site, free.
ARTICLE: Furniture prior to World War II was constructed using hot hide glue. Read our recipe for “Liquid Hide Glue.”
TO BUY: Get Bob Flexner’s new book, “Flexner on Finishing.”
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If you’ve never put brush to bare wood (or you’d like a refresher), learn how to greatly improve your chances of success. By Bob Flexner It’s one thing to describe finishing steps to an experienced finisher. It’s quite another to teach someone who has never applied stain or finish to anything. Describing finishing so a … Read more
Here’s how to cut through all the confusion about oil, tung oil and wiping varnish. By Bob Flexner Finishing is a mystery to most woodworkers, but it’s not because finishes are difficult to apply. All that’s involved in applying a finish is transferring a liquid to wood using one of three really easy-to-use tools: a … Read more
Some straight talk about cherry and blotching. By Bob Flexner Pages: 70-72 From the February 2009 issue #174 Buy this issue now When I opened my furniture-making and restoration shop in 1976, the woods considered best for high-end furniture were walnut and mahogany. Of course, oak and maple were also used, and sometimes cherry. As … Read more
Several readers have asked some questions about the Shaker Wall Cupboard I built for the February 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine (mailing now to subscribers). Here are the answers. Question: While I think it’s a handsome piece, where do you anticipate someone using it in their home? Do you actually advocate hanging this thing … Read more
After four years of writing magazine articles and blog entries, there is something that irks me to no end. Safety police. (Eye protection. Ear protection. Push sticks. Yes we all know those should be used in the shop.) If we try to work taking every safety precaution out there, we would be dressed as if … Read more
