The benchtop has been flattened with handplanes and the benchdog holes are all drilled and chamfered. It’s time to apply some finish to the workbench top.
No surprises here, I’m using hot Danish Oil once again.
Applying hot danish oil to the benchtop.
I have previously written ad nauseam about my process for applying Danish Oil, so I wont go into it all here again now. However, I should point out that I did make a small change to my usual method. I did not “sand in” any of the coats. While that method results in a beautiful and smooth surface, it’s not exactly what one wants on a workbench top. So, I applied the oil and wiped off the excess an hour later. Nothing else.
The finish soaked in quite quickly.
To apply finish to the inside of the dog holes, I used a small leather dyer’s daubber. I wanted to get a couple of coats of oil into the dog holes because they are primarily end grain. The oil soaks into end grain very well, and once it cures, it should help slow any moisture changes in the benchtop.
I used a daubber to apply finish inside the dog holes.
I applied the first coat very heavily and kept applying it until it would soak in no longer. The second and third coats went on much quicker. I waited about two days between coats.
Over a week, I applied three coats.
In the next post, I’ll shoe how I made all the benchdogs for the workbench.
More soon.
– Jonathan White
