WAX,  Index

everything I know about using wax on turned wood

WHAT? Another article on wax? I can hear the questions already.  "Wax is a simple topic, I buy it in a can."   "How can this guy have anything to say about wax that I don't already know?"  "Wax isn't good for anything other than a temporary protective coating over a real finish."

Yes, there have been a lot of articles and discussions about wax in the woodworking and woodturning books and magazines over the years. But, wax still remains one of the least understood, and most under-used of all finishing products.

I don't make any claim to be writing a definitive essay on using waxes in woodturning, but I have used a lot of wax for a lot of years, and I think that I may have learned something that will be useful to others.

Index to the Articles

Click on the title to go to these topics.

Introduction to the Waxes

what they are and where they come from

Wax On-Line

my messages on wax that were posted on the turning forums

the Recipes

making our own blended wax polishes

Commercial Waxes and Polishes

the stuff we can buy, what I use and recommend

Using Wax - I, friction application and polish

general discussion and stick waxes  (with pictures and video links)

Using Wax - II, paste waxes

(with pictures and video links)

Buffing - I

for the wood and the finish

Buffing -II

the Bealle Buffing System, what it is and how to use it

(with pictures and video links)

Wax 'n Oil,

for the finish coat.

Colored Waxes

adding color to a paste wax to accent the wood grain and

create special effects

Other WaysCOMING SOON

using wax for things other than a finish

A Good and Faithful Sealing Wax, c.1683

included here because it is interesting and a long overlooked

use for a wax.

I hope the reader finds these pages to be both interesting an enlightening.

This page was last updated: January 2, 2010