Finishing Shop Jigs

**rhull** · 02-03-2005, 01:18 PM

Do you folks finish jigs for the shop, or leave them "au natural"?

I recently posted a picture of a bandsaw circle jig made from plywood, hardboard, and some cherry scraps leftover from another project.

I've also just about finished (except for a push-handle) a taper jig for the tablesaw that's made entirely of 6/4 ash. I went with thick stock to try and ensure I wouldn't have to worry about deflection.

Is it advisable to finish everything but the hardboard with BLO, give it a a couple weeks to dry/cure, and paste wax everything?

**deathwish2** · 02-03-2005, 03:48 PM

I usually knock off the sharp edges and/or give a light sanding. Then, if it's solid wood (as opposed to ply or MDF) give it a spit coat of poly to try and minimize any distortion of it's shape down the line.

**drew725** · 02-03-2005, 06:05 PM

I have heard/read that shellac works well for jigs. I recently made my first 'quality' shop jig out of baltic birch and finished it with three coats of shellac. Time will tell.

**JohnV** · 02-04-2005, 08:27 PM

I agree with Drew, Simplest is shellac, good practice spraying whatever you have too. Shellac dries very quickly.

Good Luck
John

www.craftsman-furniture.com
Living in "The Sportsman's Paradise".

**TDHofstetter** · 02-04-2005, 09:19 PM

If it's a jig that's dimension-critical or shape-critical, then it's best to seal that puppy so changes in humidity won't give you (poor) fits later.

I personally like using thinned Danish oil (shop mix) for such things. It does a good job of sealing the material, plus it helps toughen wood or MDF and helps prevent edge-splintering in plywood. I'm not saying it's the BEST or ONLY thing to do, but it's what I usually do.

-- Tim --

A novice has many options,
An expert, only a few.

**RustyBrooks** · 02-05-2005, 12:07 AM

I use, what do you call it, arm-r-seal? It's sort of a tung oil and poly mixture. Goes on in many thin layers. For furniture I might do 8 layers, for jigs 3 or 4 if I'm feeling industrious. I take more time with jigs than I probably should.

Sonny Edmonds · 02-06-2005, 01:39 PM

Depends on what it's for, for me.
Most often, it just gets paste wax rubbed and rubbed into it. I have a larg-i-o table with sanding sealer...uhh... sealer-ing it. ;)
Other stuff might get oil based varnish or oil based poly applied to it. (Note the words "Oil Based")
I am pretty :( with the water based crap I have tried. Think about it...
You dry your precious woods to make them stabile and straight when made into something. Then apply a WATERBASED crap on it? :P Fairly wrecks your work to make it smooth.
Yeah, I know... I'm an old fashioned Turdious Orifus. :7

:D

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