I am working on several wood rings (to wear on finger). I made several out of black walnut and maple; tomorrow will try cherry. What do you recommend for finishing rings? I used a wood oil then polished with beeswax. Thank you for any info.
Rob Johnstone: I think you hit the sweet spot with your finish on the first try. I think you might mean something like walnut oil when you say “wood oil” and that is a good choice. You might want to think of something like a linseed oil or even tung oil. I really like the beeswax topper. It will make the ring feel really smooth and nice.
Tim Inman: This question is always a toughie. There isn’t actually much of any surface “finish” that will hold up to prolonged exposure to body oils, humidity and heat — plus whatever other stuff you put your hands into. Wood rings kind of speak “natural” so, if I had just one suggestion, I would say to coat/soak the wood in a thin formulation of epoxy resin. It will truly seal the wood for you. There are several brands on the market. I’d try to find one that is intended to “consolidate” rotten wood in exterior restoration projects. It is thin, soaks in well, and sets slowly. Afterwards, return the ring to the lathe to make the final cuts and polish it out. Otherwise, beeswax is a great “natural” surface. It looks good, feels good, smells good — and is easy to reapply. I keep bees, so maybe I’m biased.
