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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Getting ready for Spring

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  • From: "waldenfarm" <waldenfarm AT bellsouth.net>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Getting ready for Spring
  • Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:05:58 -0500

I use mineral oil and wipe it on with a rag at the end of each day when I clean tools. Mineral oil is non toxic and keeps the wood from drying and becoming brittle. If the handle on a new tool is vanished, I strip, sand and oil it. I've found hard finishes slippery in sweaty hands.

I learned this from a tool- believe it or not. I worked some years ago in a machine shop. It was a family business started by the owner's grandfather in 1930. They had a pitchfork that was occasionally used to pick up wads of steel shavings. The handle looked aged, but smooth and richly colored. It had motor oil soaked in it from 50+ years of greasy hands. I figured the preservation of the handle was due to the oil.

Also, tung oil is a hard finish, usually used on furniture and bar tops.

Alex McGregor
Walden Farm
Waldens Ridge, TN

----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Patrick Hurtgen" <hurtgenmeadows AT gmail.com>
To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 10:43 PM
Subject: [Market-farming] Getting ready for Spring


What should I be using to wash and disinfect/sanitize plug trays and
buckets? I also remember a discussion many months ago about having
interns oil the wooden handles of their "issued" set of garden tools.
Is the oil anything different than the tung oil commonly used by
woodworkers? Are the handles sanded first? Any varnish used after
the tung oil? Thanks for any help that you can offer. Tom (central NC)





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