finishes

[S-Shamrock]

Hi all
this is my first post on this board since I found it (three days ago) I'm 15 and have been carvign for a couple of years now on and off.
Any how enough about me, I have an almost finished carving, it's a lizard out of Osage Orange but I'm not sure what the best way of finishing it is. I want it smooth and kind of shiny but not thick(like a spray finish). Do you have any suggetions?
thanks, silas
P.S. how do you post pictures on here.

[BobD]

You've come to the right place for information. I've found it to be full of people fulll of knowledge and opinions.
I can't help you with the finish, but I can help you with posting pics.

With the current system, you have to upload your photos to another site (Ackward, I know, but we're working on it). Then right click on the picture and go down to properties. Copy the web address for the photo and come back to this board. In the message screen, click on the 'insert image' button. This makes the following code appear '[img][/img].' Paste the link to the photo between the codes. (ie g] image link[/i) If you have any questions, give me a hollar.

Bob
Wood Carving Illustrated

[Kenny_S]

Osage Orange???? That is one hard wood. Dulls chains saws in nothing flat.
Gave a log of it to my Father-in-law who had it ganged saw at a small saw mill in Mo. Burned the tips of the gang blades and the saw mill owner told my FIL not to bring him any more of that stuff. We use them for fence posts here in SEK.

[AlArchie]

Try an oil finish. Â*I like boiled linseed oil, available at most hardware and paint stores in pint sized cans. Â*There are other oils available like Tung oil, and a few others, too.

One thing that is important to keep in mind is that ANY of these 'drying' oils are spontaneously combustible, and any rags or paper towel used in the application or cleanup, MUST be disposed of properly. Â*The best way is to burn them in an incinerator. Â*Next is to wash them in water and detergent and lay them out flat on a concrete or other non-combustible surface until they are absolutely dry, then place them in the trash.

To apply the oil, put some on a cloth and rub it into the wood. Â*Let it dry for a day or so and re-apply , buffing in between coats. Â*These oils will give you a mat finish with a very smooth, soft texture. Â*If a nick or scratch should appear later, just re-apply another coat of the oil and the 'wound' will heal!

These oils have an odor that some find offensive, but they are not toxic fumes.

Give these finishes a shot, let us know how they turned out, and welconme to the BB.

Al