Stock Fininshing

[jsquig]

I have been working (on and off) on a Richards Microfit for my Vanguard Series, as I've posted about before. I have it bedded, and its sanded to 220 grit all over, shaped as I'd like. The grain is pretty open in a few places, as expected (It's walnut), and I'll be doing the tung oil wet sanding/slurry method for filling that, then sanding to 400 or 600 grit before finishing the wood with more tung oil, and putting a top cote of gloss poly.

My question is.. for folks that have done much woodworking, or sock finishing... Is a wood sealer necessary? Will the tung oil handle this for me?

 

[mwjones]

The oil should be fine. You might have trouble getting a poly sealer to stick to an oil finish anyway.

 

[kamlooky]

Randy Boyd has a video on finishing stocks.
He sure makes it look easy.
Time and patience is what's required for a great job.

I did the Richard's stock for a rifle I bought my daughter.
The wood was chunky all over.
I lost count of the number of days I spent on it.
It turned out better than I expected.

 

[kiki231]

i have done countless walnut stocks with pure tung oil like you are doing. before sanding in the oil like you mention, mix a 50/50 batch of tung oil and pure mineral spirits. Put on 2 coats, letting each dry to the touch, then proceed like you plan, that will seal up the wood perfectly. Put extra amounts on the end grain -- and watch the wood suck it up.