2080 Very Curly Sequoia Redwood.

Tom Gall said:

Hi, Odie ..... I realize everyone has their own finishing routine and preferences, including me!
For as long as I can remember I generally follow this procedure on most pieces. First off - I never (very rarely) use an abrasive over a finish (except maybe a brushed on water base finish to level). I sand through the grits up to #600 (or #800 & #1000). Then for good measure I continue with some 3M Ultrafine & Microfine sanding pads/sponges followed by 2000 & 4000 Abralon pads. All sanding above #600 goes very quickly the higher you go - maybe 20-30 seconds for the size bowl you usually make. At this point the wood will almost glow. THEN apply your oil finish ... when cured you can go to your Tripoli wheel for buffing. If you have any dust nibs (not usually the case with an oil finish) a quick swipe with #0000 steel wool or the Abralon pad should remove them before buffing. Try it on one of your pieces or a practice board - you might like it!

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Thanks for the comments, Tom.....

You aren't the only one who has suggested these things.....and, I may give your suggestions a try, if I'm not getting the kind of results I'm looking to get. One thing is for sure, and I think you'll agree, is results are the ONLY thing that matters.....right? I'm finding it hard to change my ways, as long as I'm getting the results I'm looking for.....and, I've been settled into my current procedures for years.....it's a given that I've refined the process during that period, though!

One thing I should mention, is I never go coarser than 600gt random orbit by hand, and there is no need for anything coarser than the 600gt on a cured Danish oil finish. What I've found is the DO penetrates the wood, and if you take off a few thousandths off the top surface, the integrity of the finish is still good to go....really can't tell that any ROBH sanding has been done on the cured DO, after the buffing is completed.

-----odie-----

odie said:

You aren't the only one who has suggested these things.....and, I may give your suggestions a try, if I'm not getting the kind of results I'm looking to get. One thing is for sure, and I think you'll agree, is results are the ONLY thing that matters.....right? I'm finding it hard to change my ways, as long as I'm getting the results I'm looking for.....and, I've been settled into my current procedures for years.....it's a given that I've refined the process during that period, though!

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Re: results ... you are correct!
Re: change ... yeah, us OLD GUYS can be set in our ways!!!

Very nice piece. Kind of like watching the fire burn or the sun set or the waves of the ocean coming in. Really like the movement in the wood and the details that you added.

Larry Crouch said:

Very nice piece. Kind of like watching the fire burn or the sun set or the waves of the ocean coming in. Really like the movement in the wood and the details that you added.

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Thanks for commenting, Larry.....

-----odie-----