Oil mixture (or not)

Frank-New Zealand

Frank-New Zealand

Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Messages
333
I see many of you guys use linseed oil. (it's used a lot here also). I use Tung oil.

A couple of axes I've picked up recently have original straight hafts...but they are very dry. The Tung oil is quite thick and I will be looking for a product that will penetrate more easily. I'm going to experiment with a mixture of raw linseed, Tung, and turpentine. (What quantities?).

I would be grateful for any opinions or ideas from guys.

I like the smell of Tung oil. I'm not sure my wife is so keen though. I tell her not to worry...it soon rubs off on the towel or the bed clothes.

regard...Frank
 
Frank, I don't actually measure when I thin BLO...maybe just lazy. I'd say I usually do 1 part mineral spirits to 3-4 parts BLO.

You can also thin Tung oil. Tung oil is great stuff in my opinion.
 
I like equal parts BLO, turpentine, and beeswax. I always apply my oils and finishes in a cooling atmosphere (afternoon-night). If it is a warming one(morning -afternoon), the air inside the wood expands and can stop penetration or even bubble a finish.


-Xander
 
This may be a bit unusual, but heres an old tried and true quaker recipe for finishing wood that a professional wood worker recommened me to try on axe handles.

Linseed Oil
Dash of turpentine
Dash of vinegar

Its supposed to be one part of each equally divided, but he said "just a dash."

Found it in a link here.
http://www.wkfinetools.com/tRestore/finish-wood/kramer1/kramerImprov.asp

Interesting too, to read what he has to say about mineral spirits versus actual turpentine. And the whole boiled linseed oil versus home boiled. Thoughts?
 
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if you are in a hurry you could use some acetone to cut the linseed or tung oil, but wipe it on quick, Acetone is about the quickest evaporating thinner or solvent and will be out of your oil rapidly. leaving just the oil.
 
I have found the WD40 works well overall. I like it if I come in from the weather, and need to just quickly hit my axes for some back up protection. When I go thru the collection and wipe everything down, I use WD40. If it is a project I am working on, or can come back to the users when I have time, then I will hit them with the raw linseed oil. I keep it in a ketchup bottle, the squeezable kind with the cone shaped top, like what you would see in a restaurant or diner. This works really well and lets me control the amount of linseed dispensed bettter. I like multiple thin coats better than the smother aspect. I have even started to put it on the axe heads as well - it makes for a nice coating, especially if it is going to be awhile before action is seen.

Remember if you use linseed to burn or properly throw away those cloths - combustion hazard.
 
Operator...Good on you to mention spontaneous combustion. Recently a house burned down here because of a pile of oil rags that had been used during home decoration. Most of us would be using oil in smaller quantities than this...But I always play it safe.
 
I fought a house fire that was started by the hardwood floor guy leaving his rags in a pile on the porch. A very bad day.
Take care of those rags.
 
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