Main Presentation

Our May meeting featured James Cave who has been making and finishing violins since 1967. He teaches courses in wood finishing and French polishing at the Woodcraft store in Dublin.

Jim began his presentation with a discussion of wax and oil finishes. He said these finishes are easy to apply and work well. He recommends using cheap cotton handkerchiefs when applying the finish. Handkerchiefs have hemmed edges and will not leave lint on the work piece. Several thin coats produce a superior finish to fewer thick coats. In response to questions, he gave two sources of resins: Wood Finishing Enterprises in Wisconsin and Kramer Pigments in New York.

Cold varnish, he explained, is a powdered resin first mixed with turpentine, then with linseed oil. Cooked resins generally wear better, but can be dangerous to produce since the resin and linseed oil must be cooked at high temperature, creating a fire hazard.

French Polishing can be learned fairly quickly and is not difficult, but does require patience. He uses de-waxed shellac flakes, making a 3/8 pound cut. He rubs paraffin or mineral oil on a cotton sheeting pad. If the pad drags, then more oil is needed on the pad. Hundreds of thin coats are applied, sanding lightly with #600 wet/or dry paper between coats. He flash finishes with alcohol.

A linseed oil finish, he explained, is easy to apply and long to dry, requiring lots of rubbing. He quoted the adage: "rub every hour for a day, rub every day for a week, rub every month for a year, then rub every year for life." Then you will have an enduring, fine linseed oil finish.

Danish oil includes tung oil resins that must be rubbed out going with the wood grain using 600/1000 sandpaper and oil between coats. Apply the initial coat, let it set for 10 minutes, reapply then wipe off the excess oil and allow the work to dry overnight. Sand between coats with oil.

For surfaces upon which objects will not be placed, he suggested a simple Briland wax finish. Old finishes can be cleaned with mineral spirits or turpentine. Micro crystalline waxes are simply purified types of paraffin.

When asked to describe the finish he makes for his violins, he explained that the masters of old kept these formulations as a trade secret and so does he. And, not to surprise anyone, the sound quality of a fine violin is varnish dependent, among other variables.

Announcements

Harold Patterson informed the membership that name badges are available for the new members. The boxes made in the Toy Workshops are now being distributed to local libraries and schools. The new membership list has been sent to BAWA members by email.

Craig Mineweaser announced that there will be a name badge contest at the July meeting. He reminded the BAWA membership of the organization's Privacy Policy, which prohibits any commercial use of membership information or data. The Privacy Policy Statement will be included at the head of all future membership lists.

Bill Henzel described the last meeting of Rebuilding Together. Twenty-six members helped restore two garages for Florence Crittenden Services. They were most grateful.

Robbie Fanning announced that the refreshment schedule has been filled for the year. It will be distributed later.

Stan Brooker enticed the membership with descriptions of the raffle (eight sheets of two veneers, walnut and teak), the flame maple door prize and turning blocks of Japanese Cherry and Alameda Ash.

Jay Perrine gave away several sheets of plastic cardboard.

Mark Rand said that the Diablo Woodworkers are looking for a teacher in Sunnyvale to instruct third and fourth graders for a woodworking course being conducted June 6-23. Suggestions anyone?

There was a silent auction for a mortise/tenon fixture for a drill press, proceeds to the club.

Arnie Champagne let everyone know that College of the Redwoods has openings for classes in Tools and Techniques, Projects and Marquetry. Also, Arnie has opening in some of his upcoming classes. See the CLASSIFIEDS for details.

Show & Tell

Linda Salter presented a multi-segmented bowl with 2060 pieces and a Liberon finish.

Mark Ferraro showed us his mortise and tenon homework from one of Arnie's classes.

Burt Rosenweig made a table with a drop front panel he plans to use as a bird cage stand. He put 45 degree miters on the tenons.

Chuck Conner displayed a three bottle liquor box made of maple and Chinese pistachio.

John Blackmore showed two examples of his maple and bubinga kitchen cabinet doors. The laminated bubinga trim framed the panel, both front and back.

Nick Kornes showed his beautiful mahogany piano bench with slip seat and carved ball and claw feet.

Arnold Champagne presented two items, first a beautiful marquetry box for his sister from spalted maple and veneers and a maple/cherry stool with mortise and tenon joinery

The meeting ended with Arnie winning the flame maple board and the membership vying to see who could be given the turning blocks.

Bruce Woods & Mark Rand