Shellac and Boiled Linseed Oil

One thing I've taken to is using paper towels to apply the first few coats of an oil-based finish.  So long as the piece is smooth with little in the way that could snag and tear the paper towels, it seems to work very well.  The one thing to watch in this regard is abrasion of the paper as it's in use.  Once the part in contact with the wood has started to fray, I pitch it and get another.  The warning about spontaneous combustion, BTW, also applies to paper towels - I put mine in either the woodstove if it's the heating season, or in the outside metal garbage can if it's the summer.
 
I believe Jeff Jewitt wrote an article in FW (?) about using paper towel for applying an oil finish. 

Dennis Bork
 
I made a bracket to hold a dowel on which I keep paper towelling and a roll of bathroom tissue conveniently under my workbench. Have found them to be really helpful around the workbench in addition to applying some finishes with them. Try it and you will like it.

Bob
 
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