Putting a finish on puzzles

[Trka2002]

Had a question for all of you that make puzzles. How do you apply your finish and what type do you use?  I dipped my pieces and let them dry but it did not come out good. 

[NC Scroller]

I will assume you are talking about freestanding puzzles.  I use all kinds of wood s including poplar, oak, pine, walnut, etc. 3/4" thick is normal.  Many folks dip in mineral oil but I use a product called Deftoil which is a Danish Oil product.  I do wipe off excess before it dries. 

[Dan]

For the type of puzzles Scott mentioned, I dip in 50/50 mix of blo and mineral spirits. For poplar the mix soaks in pretty quick and after about 10 minutes I wipe off excess. 

[ike]

I agree with Dan

IKE

[orangeman]

I use Watco Danish Oil. I do NOT dip as it leaves too much oil on the puzzle pieces and wastes a lot of oil.

Instead, I use a glue brush to apply the oil to about 20 pieces, then wipe the excess off and let dry for 2 days before packaging.

[Iguanadon]

I dip (the entire puzzle) in mineral oil and then let soak in on a rack.  I get about 400 puzzles per gallon of mineral oil so the cost per puzzle is minimal ($22 per gallon)

[scrollingforsanity]

I do the same thing Iggy does in fact that's where i got the idea. Made a rack similar to his, dip them in food safe mineral oil. Dip the whole puzzle and lay on the rack to let dry. I let mine sit about four days but you can take them off quicker if you want to wipe off excess. Using Poplar wood.