staining Puzzles ETC

[coldwood]

I'm trying to stain the front and  side edges of puzzle pieces with minwax stain.

When I stain the sides, some stain is getting on the back of the wood witch i don't want.

Painters tape or clear packing tape on the back does not help to protect the back from stain getting on it.

Any ideas how to prevent this?

I use a cotton swab for the sides.

Thanks

 

[JimErn]

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00MEC5084/?coliid=IT4CQ27FF4P4&colid=10HJQF4P05R6U&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

[jollyred]

Try sealing or finishing the backs before cutting.  Don't know if your table is rough enough to abrade the finish or not.  If it is, you could use a piece of tempered hardboard double face taped to the top of the table to cut on.  If tempered hardboard is waxed, the wood will slide over it very easily, without abrading the finish.  I put some on my DW788 and also put a couple of coats of polyurethane on it.  When waxed, it is almost too smooth and easy to move the piece being cut.

Tom

[NC Scroller]

Can I ask why you don't want stain on the back side?   What does it hurt?  The only way I know how to help this would be to apply a coat of sanding sealer, aka clear Shellac, to the back of you wood before you cut.  It should help but not prevent completely as the wood is made up of straw like fibers that suck up the stain.  

 

[oldhudson]

I think a gel stain could solve the problem. Much less likely to wick through the stock.

[coldwood]

On 5/11/2020 at 8:37 AM, NC Scroller said:

Can I ask why you don't want stain on the back side?   What does it hurt?  The only way I know how to help this would be to apply a coat of sanding sealer, aka clear Shellac, to the back of you wood before you cut.  It should help but not prevent completely as the wood is made up of straw like fibers that suck up the stain.  

 

I have a white wash on the back pieces of the puzzle , but getting unwanted stain on the back seems un professional.  The sanding sealer could be the answer.

[coldwood]

On 5/10/2020 at 10:29 PM, jollyred said:

Try sealing or finishing the backs before cutting.  Don't know if your table is rough enough to abrade the finish or not.  If it is, you could use a piece of tempered hardboard double face taped to the top of the table to cut on.  If tempered hardboard is waxed, the wood will slide over it very easily, without abrading the finish.  I put some on my DW788 and also put a couple of coats of polyurethane on it.  When waxed, it is almost too smooth and easy to move the piece being cut.

Tom

Sealing the back before cutting sound like a good ideal. I will have to try that. Thanks Jim

[coldwood]

On 5/11/2020 at 9:06 AM, oldhudson said:

I think a gel stain could solve the problem. Much less likely to wick through the stock.

Do they sell small cans of gel stain, or is it liters? I was using water based stain and also minwax oil stain . Thanks Jim

[teachnlearn]

My wife has done puzzle continuously since I met her. She will have the tv in the background and do a puzzle. Other then puzzles that have a different picture on each side, I really don't think she worries whats on the back. She will outline the table with sorted pieces by color, create the outer trim, then goes to town clicking them in. She never looks at the back or edges. So its up to you if your staining the edge no puzzler will notice. Depending on what you use, watch for the pieces fitting in tighter or not fitting. RJF

[oldhudson]

2 hours ago, coldwood said:

Do they sell small cans of gel stain, or is it liters? I was using water based stain and also minwax oil stain . Thanks Jim

I've generally purchase them in small cans, 8 oz. I think.