Formby’s tung oil substitutes?

[Mule333]

Can’t find Formby’s anywhere accept Amazon. I don’t want to pay $100 for tung oil.
Can anyone suggest a substitute that is polymerized tung oil?
Would prefer to shop at Lowe’s, HomeDepot or a building supply store.
Btw …. I did try a search…. Not real clear answers.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Formby's is not a real tung oil IIRC. Dave Person uses and recommends Sutherland Welles tung oil. You could also go with a linseed varnish by Tried and True.

 

[Mule333]

Thanks for the reply. Thought I’d try something different other than Tru-Oil…. But, I guess I’ll go back to TruOil.

 

[Pete G]

Thanks for the reply. Thought I’d try something different other than Tru-Oil…. But, I guess I’ll go back to TruOil

Tried and true is not TruOil.

 

[64Springer]

True-Oil's about as useful as a veggie pizza.

 

[IanH]

True-Oil's about as useful as a veggie pizza.

You got that right.

Formby's was a tung oil "finish", not tung oil as was mentioned. Mostly a resin varnish with drying oils and some unknown but small amount of actual tung oil.

If you want the real thing, buy 100% real tung oil. I haven't found brand makes much difference.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Chambers sells a good tung pil finish
Kibler sells some sort of finish I hear works well, but I have never used it.
I haven't been able to find formbys for years.

 

[64Springer]

Having a white guy on the can was found to be racially insensitive.

Move over Uncle Ben's and Aunt Jemima, here comes Homer.

 

[user 34300]

Spar varnish + mineral spirits (or turpentine) + japan dryer. Apply very thin with a wad of ladies sticking material. One coat per day for a week.

 

[IanH]

There are many good finishes and even more lousy ones. I don't want to make any recommendations other than I have without more information from the OP regarding the purpose and desired outcome.
Scot's recommendation actually isn't far off from Formby's TOF, but I never was much of a fan of those sorts of things on guns.

 

[Mule333]

I’m considering coughing up $46.23 for Sutherland Wells.

 

[Mule333]

There are many good finishes and even more lousy ones. I don't want to make any recommendations other than I have without more information from the OP regarding the purpose and desired outcome.
Scot's recommendation actually isn't far off from Formby's TOF, but I never was much of a fan of those sorts of things on guns.

My 2nd build is in its final stages. I’ve been practicing on scraps to get the color I want. TruOil did ok on my last build, but in hot summer time would get tacky.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I like the fact you're using a carving transfer. Very handy.

 

[HighUintas]

Chamber's oil is reportedly tung oil. Jim Kibler has said that it is basically the same thing as waterlox

 

[IanH]

Birchwood-Casey TruOil should never get tacky, that is one of its few redeeming qualities. Linseed oil finishes like Tried & True BLO and their oil varnish do, especially if not applied very, very sparingly each coat, rubbed in very hot and heavy, and allowed to polymerize completely in between which can take weeks.

 

[kyron4]

Minwax bought out Formby's and then discontinued it . It was a classic buy your competition and then end it.

 

[Loja man]

Sutherland wells is good stuff!! The reality I have seen is you can’t buy a good gun finish at any kind of local mom pops or a big box store. Order online from a gun supply company etc.

 

[Kabulrocks]

I’ve not used it, but Woodcraft sells tung oil: WoodRiver - Tung Oil - Natural - Quart

 

[Mule333]

I’ve not used it, but Woodcraft sells tung oil: WoodRiver - Tung Oil - Natural - Quart

Funny that you've mention this.... was just looking at Woodriver Tung Oil late last night. I wondered if it contains any polymers for quick drying. Says 100% tungoil.

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

I’ve not used it, but Woodcraft sells tung oil: WoodRiver - Tung Oil - Natural - Quart

I picked up some of their Tung Oil. I am playing with it on some scrap wood from my current stock along with trying some Watco Danish Oil, Tried & True cut with Turpentine and Jim Chambers Oil cut with Turpentine. Drying time on the Tung, Danish and Chambers is about the same, basically overnight. The Tried and True dries much quicker with the Turpentine added.