Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Garden tools finish
Ron Pemberton
I turned some handles out of Mesquite for some gardening tools I purchased from Woodcraft for my Sis who is an avid gardener. I have pondered finishing them with mineral oil or BLO or Deft rattle can. Any suggestions for these tools that may see heavy use?
Re: Garden tools finish
Henry (Raleigh NC)
Ron:
I'm not a gardener, but I can't imagine film finish (lacquer, polyurethane, shellac) stand up to the exterior (i.e. maybe somewhat durable, but not easy to renew, except shellac), nor can I imagine having the oily feel of mineral oil (does 'cure') or the like on a handle of a garden tool.
Seems like a BLO or other polymerizable oil that can be easily renewed with another wipe on film would be my choice (note that I have not used BLO so I may be assuming properties that do not exist).
Henry
Re: Garden tools finish
K Vaughan
I use the same walnut oil that I use on wood bowls. Easy to refresh and does not start fires near as readily. A small bottle of walnut oil and a small pieceof grey scotch brite is the maintenance kit.
I am not a fan of petroleum oil on wood (that is what mineral oil is).
Re: Garden tools finish
Mike Mills
May not be right but I have always used spar varnish for exterior (including tools).
Re: Garden tools finish
mikeee12345
Traditional finishes used on outdoor garden tools in the day was Linseed Oil.
Easy to apply and easy to refresh the tool down the road.
Re: Garden tools finish
John K Jordan
Things that are are get left outside in the weather (barn doors, trailer floors, rake handles) get boiled linseed oil here.
Small tools probably won't be left outside so other finishes should work. I generally use "danish" oil on my turning tool handles which hold up fine to heavy use.
JKJ
Re: Garden tools finish
Ron Pemberton
I ended up using BLO on the handles. It is something I or my Sis can refresh easily. We will see. Rats, I can't get the photos small enough to upload.
.
Re: Garden tools finish
Ron Pemberton