More refinishing spindle leg tips.....

froglips · 05-22-2008, 09:24 AM

Yet another tip.

History, stripped and refinishing a drop leaf table for the LOML.

Prob? 6 legs and 8 stretchers, all turned. Beads, coves, the whole nine yards.

The stripper did a good job, but ever try to sand spindles off the lathe..... A FREAK'N NIGHTMARE.

In the end, here is the trick...... Steel wool.

I started with 0000, and it was not right. In frustration I moved up to the coarse #3, bingo.

It did a great job of smoothing the spindles and taking out the scratches. Beat the pants off sanding which was nearly impossible.

Jim

Mike Wilkins · 05-22-2008, 10:53 AM

A boatload of thanks for this tip. I have refinished many chairs, tables, beds in the past, and this is always the worst part. No easy way for power tools to ease this task. Just sore fingers and lots of sandpaper strips. Will get a couple of packages this weekend.
Again thanks.

newtowood · 05-22-2008, 11:13 AM

Did the #3 leave any scratches from the coarseness?

froglips · 05-22-2008, 01:13 PM

I didn't find any scratches.

The wood itself is rather soft, and I expected to find some.

My take on steel wool is its more like mini-scrapers as opposed to sandpaper cutting.

Thanks,
Jim

Glennbear · 05-22-2008, 01:25 PM

Steel wool is great for nooks and crannies but can be problematic if followed by waterborne refinishing materials

DAMHIKT

froglips · 05-22-2008, 02:07 PM

I'd agree whole heartedly. The machine oil left in steel wool can be a hidden disaster!

From what I read, many steel wools are extra oily to prevent rust.

I did pick up some low oil steel wool from Woodworkers Supply.

The other thing I haven't tried, that I might next, are synthetic scotch brite pads.

Jim

Glennbear · 05-22-2008, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by froglips

I'd agree whole heartedly. The machine oil left in steel wool can be a hidden disaster!

From what I read, many steel wools are extra oily to prevent rust.

I did pick up some low oil steel wool from Woodworkers Supply.

The other thing I haven't tried, that I might next, are synthetic scotch brite pads.

Jim

The other concern with SW is tiny bits of metal left behind become BIG rust marks if a waterbased finish is used. Think about how metal grows when iron becomes iron oxide

05-22-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
froglips Member Name: Jim Campbell City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 38 Posts: 417 Threads: 85	More refinishing spindle leg tips..... Yet another tip. History, stripped and refinishing a drop leaf table for the LOML. Prob? 6 legs and 8 stretchers, all turned. Beads, coves, the whole nine yards. The stripper did a good job, but ever try to sand spindles off the lathe..... A FREAK'N NIGHTMARE. In the end, here is the trick...... Steel wool. I started with 0000, and it was not right. In frustration I moved up to the coarse #3, bingo. It did a great job of smoothing the spindles and taking out the scratches. Beat the pants off sanding which was nearly impossible. Jim __________________ "New rule of thumb: Never do anything embarrasing with a utility knife."

05-22-2008, 10:53 AM	#2
Mike Wilkins Member Name: Michael City: Winterville State: NC County: Pitt Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 81 Threads: 7	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... A boatload of thanks for this tip. I have refinished many chairs, tables, beds in the past, and this is always the worst part. No easy way for power tools to ease this task. Just sore fingers and lots of sandpaper strips. Will get a couple of packages this weekend. Again thanks.

05-22-2008, 01:13 PM	#4
froglips Member Name: Jim Campbell City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 38 Posts: 417 Threads: 85	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... I didn't find any scratches. The wood itself is rather soft, and I expected to find some. My take on steel wool is its more like mini-scrapers as opposed to sandpaper cutting. Thanks, Jim __________________ "New rule of thumb: Never do anything embarrasing with a utility knife."

05-22-2008, 01:25 PM	#5
Glennbear Member Name: Glenn City: Baskerville State: VA County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 59 Posts: 708 Threads: 62	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... Steel wool is great for nooks and crannies but can be problematic if followed by waterborne refinishing materials DAMHIKT __________________ " I get knocked down but I get up again" - Chumbawamba

05-22-2008, 02:07 PM	#6
froglips Member Name: Jim Campbell City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 38 Posts: 417 Threads: 85	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... I'd agree whole heartedly. The machine oil left in steel wool can be a hidden disaster! From what I read, many steel wools are extra oily to prevent rust. I did pick up some low oil steel wool from Woodworkers Supply. The other thing I haven't tried, that I might next, are synthetic scotch brite pads. Jim __________________ "New rule of thumb: Never do anything embarrasing with a utility knife."

05-22-2008, 11:13 AM	#3
newtowood Moderator Name: Tracy City: Salisbury State: NC County: Rowan Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 46 Posts: 1,196 Threads: 77	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... Did the #3 leave any scratches from the coarseness? __________________ Tracy Making Friends One Post At A Time

05-22-2008, 06:10 PM	#7
Glennbear Member Name: Glenn City: Baskerville State: VA County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 59 Posts: 708 Threads: 62	Re: More refinishing spindle leg tips..... Originally Posted by froglips I'd agree whole heartedly. The machine oil left in steel wool can be a hidden disaster! From what I read, many steel wools are extra oily to prevent rust. I did pick up some low oil steel wool from Woodworkers Supply. The other thing I haven't tried, that I might next, are synthetic scotch brite pads. Jim The other concern with SW is tiny bits of metal left behind become BIG rust marks if a waterbased finish is used. Think about how metal grows when iron becomes iron oxide __________________ " I get knocked down but I get up again" - Chumbawamba

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