Joel Ficke hand rubs a multi-stage shellac finish on a sample board in a recent class, bringing out the brilliant luster possible.
Bob Hutton
The Woodworkers Club of SaddleBrooke offers classes from time to time, available free of charge to any SaddleBrooke resident. Recently, Joel taught a three-part (1-1/2 hour each session) series of classes on fine wood finishing. I thought I knew a few things about finishing wood. Turns out, I knew nearly nothing. We were taught with a relatively inexpensive sample of walnut veneer plywood, not high-end hardwood—Home Depot quality. It turned out absolutely amazing!
Joel has studied with very high-end wood finishers. Think museum-quality furniture—techniques that were handed down from father to son for many years, not taught to the public. It could be a 10- or 14-step wood finish, including dyes, stains, bleaches, and shellac. Just the difference the rubbing step made in the finish made the class worth taking.
Most months at our club meeting, a member will share a technique, a piece they made, or another example interesting to the membership. These meetings are held in SaddleBrooke TWO in the Saguaro Room at 2 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, year round. Everyone is welcome to visit, and membership is only a nominal fee per year. And, yes, there are female members.
For more information, send an email to sb.wood.workers@gmail.com.