paste boards

[lwccmod]

Im getting a new set of paste boards, basswood, you know the drill. I recall that one of your longtime members, George West at Westwall always used to shellac his boards. Do you guys do this also, and what are the advantages. If so, best app method, also, if you dont mind. Thanx in advance. Lwccmod.

[Joseph Parker]

We've always used spar varnish on our tables. There are many finishes which would work fine. Every three or four years we recoat them and it has always worked fine for us. Good Luck!

[Cliff Hayes]

I used to use sanding sealer on my pine table boards. It dries quickly, and it contains waxes which act as a moisture repellent. On the last couple of sets of boards that I've put together, I've switched to Nitrose Cellulose brushing laquer. Parks makes a version that's available at Home Depot. I wouldn't use anything that makes the boards too slippery. It's a pain in the butt having a stack of sheets slide to the floor unexpectedly.

[Cliff Hayes]

Here's another great tip for boards: dowel, biscuit-join, or screw-n-glue hardwood strips to the ends of your boards. I collect oak flooring scraps whenever I find them on a job. If you're handy with wood, they can be cut down to about an inch wide and cut to length to cap the ends of your boards. The thickness is already the same as nominal 1x12 lumber. The hardwood ends do a couple of things; they help keep the boards from cupping, and they protect the end-grains of the boards from abuse.

[lwccmod]

Sanding sealer worked great. Boards came pre-installed with hardwood endcaps. Again, thanx, guys. Walker.