What oil to use

[Iansaws]

I know this is a real newbie question but...I was recently given a beautiful turned bowl by an aquantance of mine after touring his shop. He said that he wasn't happy with it but would rather give it to me (after I told him how much I liked it) than throw it in the wood stove this winter. It really is a nice piece made from Dogwood and I think his dis-like came from the fact that it was an oval bowl and not round. That is what I gathered anyway. When I had seen it originally it was rough and had no finish. When presented to me, it had been sanded and finished with oil. I think it was tung oil, but I am not sure. He instructed me to let it rest 2 weeks and then apply a second coat of oil. Can anyone tell me if he most likely used tung oil or might it have been something else? I just don't want to screw up and use the wrong thing. Thanks

[Uncle Cracker]

Tung oil is a possibility. Another is linseed oil, which does take a while to dry, especially when "raw", as opposed to "boiled". But, rather than guess, why not ask your friend what he used?

[DonHo]

You might want to check with him about the oil. Richard Raffan finishes almost all his bowls and boxes with mineral oil and then a coat of bees wax. On some items he uses corn oil. I don't think either of those would go on well over tung oil nor would tung oil go on well over them( notice I said think, I've not tried either of the cases). Anyway my point is that it might be best to use the same kind of oil.

DonHo

[Tom Slick]

you can use "salad bowl oil". it is supposed to work really well on bowls.