A natural, durable finish with minimal coats and fuss popular among woodworkers, flooring professionals, and furniture makers
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

Veritas - Innovation in Tools

Cherry Burl

Posts

Cherry Burl

#1

Cherry Burl

Brad

>Need some advice: As a "new turner," I've been rough turning a lot of green wood, I remembered that I had a nice chunk of cherry burl that I harvested about 10 years ago. Last week I turned it into a bowl, I'm pretty excited with how it's turning out. I should be ready to apply a finish this weekend. I'm looking for suggestions on the best finish for a piece like this. It has lots of those "burley" cracks and inclusions, so I don't suppose using wax would be a good idea. I don't want to mess this up, it may be a long time before I get another piece of wood like this. Any suggestions are most appreciated. I do not have spray equipment.

Re: Cherry Burl

#2

Re: Cherry Burl

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Brad

Cherry burl has to be about one of my favorite woods to turn. It is not always that easy, but the results are almost always worth it. I just finished the piece below about two weeks ago and sold it within two days of getting it off the lathe. The finish is Watco Danish oil only, no buffing, polishing, or other enhancement.


If you buff something like this, be prepared to spend HOURS (I do not exaggerate!) picking lint out of the bark inclusions. Good luck with it, and we will all look forward to seeing some pictures.

Bill

Re: Cherry Burl

#3

2nd the Watco

Bob Hackett

>

Re: Cherry Burl

#4

Additional info

Bob Hackett

>You`ll want to keep checking the finish and wiping the oil that bleeds out of the cracks,holes,etc.Burls are not the finish and forget kind of thing that straight grained bowls are.I check mine periodicly for about 2hours and then once more before I close up shop.

If you find any jelled runs the next morning just apply a fresh coat and rub with fine Scotchbrite or a piece of burlap to blend them in.

Mainely,Bob

Re: Cherry Burl

#5

Re: Cherry Burl

RevDoug

>Danish oil is all I use, followed by wax, hand appliled and buffed.

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.