*sigh* Ever seen a regularly used chess set (or checkers/backgammon/hammer
dulcimer strikers/etc.) finished only in an oil/wax? They look terrible.
They have dark and light spots (those *wonderful* wear patterns!) and the
wood is visibly, physically worn unevenly. That "enchanced (sic) by the
natural wear patterns" idea is somewhat romantic in notion and hides a poor
finishing choice for the items' use in that very idea but does a dis-service
to the owner of it. They want something unique, handmade, attractive and
meant to stay that way over the long term.

Easily renewed? Sure. By whom? You think a customer is going to actually
do it? And you think that a customer wants an item that they HAVE to renew
the finish on if they are going to use it regularly? Why make them do that
when they don't have to?

You like that slightly tacky feel of a wax outer coating ("feels good to the
hand")? I certainly do in many cases depending on the item I'm using.
That's why I recommended giving the items a good, durable, light coating of
a lacquer or urethane (too much makes it heavy and, in your term,
"plasticated (sic)") with a hard carnauba wax buffing. You get the best of
both worlds in this particular case. A few thin, quality coats of lacquer
does not give a "plastic" feeling. You're not going to wear through the
lacquer coating if it's done with quality lacquer and applied correctly.
Nothing will help a poor finishing job or with poor quality components.

A customer isn't buying (or receiving as a gift) a hand-turned chess piece
just for the finish used. They're going to like it because of the wood used;
the thought going into it by the creator; the hand-made (sort of) process
that went into it. The finish is, obviously, an important part and
time/effort needs to go into it just as much as the rest. Don't skimp on
just oiling/waxing it and then putting the burdon on them to do the job that
you should have done in the first place over and over again.

If the chess set isn't going to be used all that much, then I'd say go for
the oil/wax finish. It's easier/quicker to apply; will look good for long
enough; and protect the items sufficiently.

There are lots of ways to go about finishing as there is anything else. I
don't purport to suggest that there is ONLY one way as many
woodworkers/woodturners ONLY use one method of finishing for everything. I
use a variety of finishing products and techniques. I fit myself to the item
and not the other way around. Use what you want but be aware of the issues
involved so you can make informed choices.


- Andrew



"Ecnerwal" wrote in message
...
(Arch) wrote: (about oil/wax finish)

..and in near first place for an easily renewed, attractive finish.
Arch

...That feels good to the hand. If I want plastic chess pieces, I can go
buy a set made of plastic; I don't need to coat wood in plastic until my
fingers can't tell the difference. If the set is extensively used, the
plastic will eventually wear off unevenly, and result in a refinishing
problem of significant proportions if plasticated. An oil/wax finished
set will be easily refreshed, and will be enchanced by the natural wear
patterns, as they won't be cutting through a layer of plastic. And they
will feel good to handle...

However, DWYL, TWYT, DWMTWYRW.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by