Workbench Build — 2019, Part 13

Finishing

I got the first coat of finish on my new bench. I debated with myself for quite a while about whether or not to put a finish on it. I eventually decided I wanted to add a finish and then had to decide on the finish to use. The Douglas-Fir is soft enough I want to protect it a bit. I’m using Minwax Antique Oil, which is a mixture of Boiled Linseed Oil, Varnish, and a solvent. It has a higher varnish content than Danish Oil.

I love the character of the top. The wood really glows with the finish.

Some of the top is quarter-sawn figure. That’s really gorgeous.

The wedges aren’t super visible, I won’t notice them much.

The top of the leg vise leg.

I’ll be standing here a lot for the rest of my shop life.

The top surface looks smoother than it really is in this photo. A slippery bench is probably not a good idea.

I’m going to leave this end like that. I don’t want to cover it with an end cap.

Here it is gazing at my wood wall. What shall we make?

It has a presence and a gravity. It will get me out to the shop more I suspect.

So close…

-Eric