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84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So you'd like to finish wood?, June 15, 2002
This book is a GREAT place to start your journey into wood finishing. Bob starts by systematically explaining the logic and science behind different types of finish, including oils (varnish "oils" too, polyurethane and such), shellac, lacquer, conversion, waterbase, waxes, and more. He also explains application methodology IN DEPTH, such as, french polishing, brushing, spraying. He explains shaping tools (these include scrapers with sharpening methods, spokeshave devices, steel wools, rubbing compounds, sandpapers (all types)) and how to use them to achieve results. He then goes in depth into suggestions for different woods, limited exotics and many domestics, as well as good rule of thumb's. Main positives to this book: Mr. Flexner has given in depth and yet layman's explanations of how finishes work and the chemicals involved. This is integral to applying a good finish, in my opinion. This book could stand alone as everything a fledgling finisher needs to tackle any project. Main negatives: Mr. Flexner is very informative and systematic. That said, he is obviously not a writer by trade. You WILL find yourself treating this as a reference book, its not a "sunday read" for the woodworking inclined. Several times (not many, but a couple) he contradicts himself (there is a passage that "debunks" the myth of better protection from thicker film build of a finish, and then later he suggests building the finish to a thicker film for "better protection...") These negative in my opinion NO way detract from the book. It is an incredible reference tool for the amateur, and marks a necessary item for the professional finisher's bookshelf. JTAcoustics
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by R. Bruce Hoadley
by Jeff Jewitt
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