Thread: Some questions for the experts.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I do the drilling while the scales are still rubber cemented together and before I even start doing any contour work that way they are nice and straight....
As to finish each has it's good and bad points, my advice is find one that yer comfortable with and stay with it....
Certain woods can only take certain finishes though, one that comes to mind is Cocobolo, it likes oil based finishes unless you strip the natural oils first, (thats a whole other thread)....
Nice work though from what I see in the pic

+1 on all this.
Nice maple. IMHO the polyurethane was a good idea, it lets you optimize the grain without the slight blurring oils can cause. I personally reserve oil for woods that are more uniform or where you want to subdue and blend the grain a little (ebony, walnut, mahogany, purpleheart etc.) I will generally use poly when the figure/grain is to be highlighted (burls, curls, spalting etc.) or when a topcoat is needed to seal in brasswork or inlay.

Keep on truckin'.