Bathroom table help

[Danno30008]

Good morning:

We just finished remodeling two bathrooms and I wouldlike to build a small Shaker type side table to go by the sink. The table is going to be simple, with just one drawer but I want it to look nice.

My questions are:
1. What finish should I use in this high humidity area?
2. I plan on using walnut, will this hold up ok?
3. Will Titlebone 2 glue work in these conditions?

Thanks for your help in advance and take care
Dan

[Don]

I would use a breathable finish, like oil or wax. I would say fine on the other questions as well. Good luck and show us some pics.

dawjr

[old_guy]

Don -- I wonder if you could explain your thinking on your suggestion of finishes. The finishing books I have suggest that waxes and oils give very poor protection against water and water vapor -- I would think this would be very critical in a bathroom setting.

The difference between the various Titebond glues has to do with water resistence and holding power. The original Titebond claims no water resistance. Titebond II is water-resistant, so is a good choice for a bathroom application. I have started using Titebond III almost exclusively. It is water-proof and acccording to Fine Woodworking Magazine has the strength of the polyurethane glues without the mess. So for a few bucks more, you get the best of all worlds.

[Don]

Hey, Guys. I guess my thinking about a finish is this. A bathroom piece is not usually going to be a work of art, so we want it to be functional but not be too overly concerned with it being used. Film finishes tend to be less forgiving, IMO, in a water environment. Standing water can be pulled behind film finishes at the floor, and at any joint that breaks the film from expansion. Water is easy to get in, but harder to get out. In the bathroom, this may be a cycle that is just too much to overcome. Wax and oil finishes allow the wood to breath, humidity is not a bad thing for wood, trapped water is different.

I wouldn't get too caught up in it though. We all have cabinetry in the bathroom that is holding up just fine. Painted, varnish, urethanes, all will work well. I'd stay away from lacquer.

I'm simply a big fan of easy, renewable, breathable finishes for wood on all but the most prized pieces of furniture.

But, if you wanted to submerge a piece of wood and have it hold up, I'd use epoxy like I did on the boat. It's not hydroscopic and is somewhat flexible. They call the technique "epoxy encapsulation" and I do like it for a marine environment.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m206/donwright/Boats/IMG_1153.jpg

There are a lot of opinions on finishes out there, try different ones to learn what your comfort level is.

dawjr

[old_guy]

IMHO -- if it were my bathroom, I'd use polyurethane without giving it a second thought, and get on with my life.

[mmwood_1]

Sweet boat, Don!