Gun Stock Oil (Tru-oil)

[btseed357]

Finishing is probably my weakest point when it comes to completing a project.  
Recently I started using gun stock tru oil and it seems to work fine as it dries quickly and doesn’t smell.  Does anyone else use it?  If so, what are the pros and cons of using tru oil?

Thanks in advance.  

[Hudson River Rick]

I used Tru-Oil on the guitar I built about 4 year ago, and it still looks like new.  GREAT STUFF!!!

Rick

[JimNC]

I have used Gun Stock Oil on gun stocks many years ago. Good stuff but not sure on the stuff I make. Will give it a try.

[btseed357]

1 hour ago, JimNC said:

I have used Gun Stock Oil on gun stocks many years ago. Good stuff but not sure on the stuff I make. Will give it a try.

From what I’ve read gun stock oil needs to be tru-oil to be suitable for using as a varnish. I’ve used it on a few projects and it seems to work but I’m hoping someone can give some pros and cons regarding tru-oil on scroll saw projects.  
Thanks

[Bill WIlson]

I've never used Tru-Oil, but from what I can tell, it is simply an oil/varnish mix, much like a Danish Oil.  The composition may be designed to maximize certain qualities that are preferred for gun stocks, but it appears to be some mixture of an oil like linseed or tung, mixed with a little varnish and thinner.  This is the classic recipe for Danish Oil, so there is nothing wrong with using it on any type of wood project where an oil/varnish blend is appropriate.

Be aware that manufacturers like to make woodworkers think their products are some sort of exclusive blend of ingredients with near magical properties.  The truth is that usually it's a lot of marketing hype.  You don't have to use "gun stock oils" on gun stocks and "gun stock oils" aren't exclusively for use on just gun stocks.  Gun stock oils are made with much the same ingredients as many other common woodworking finishes and gun stocks are wood.  Understand the qualities of the finish and choose the appropriate one based on those properties, as well as factors such as cost, ease of application and availability rather than marketing hype.

[btseed357]

6 hours ago, Bill WIlson said:

I've never used Tru-Oil, but from what I can tell, it is simply an oil/varnish mix, much like a Danish Oil.  The composition may be designed to maximize certain qualities that are preferred for gun stocks, but it appears to be some mixture of an oil like linseed or tung, mixed with a little varnish and thinner.  This is the classic recipe for Danish Oil, so there is nothing wrong with using it on any type of wood project where an oil/varnish blend is appropriate.

Be aware that manufacturers like to make woodworkers think their products are some sort of exclusive blend of ingredients with near magical properties.  The truth is that usually it's a lot of marketing hype.  You don't have to use "gun stock oils" on gun stocks and "gun stock oils" aren't exclusively for use on just gun stocks.  Gun stock oils are made with much the same ingredients as many other common woodworking finishes and gun stocks are wood.  Understand the qualities of the finish and choose the appropriate one based on those properties, as well as factors such as cost, ease of application and availability rather than marketing hype.

Thank you for that excellent information.  Very helpful and much appreciated.  

[Roberta Moreton]

I “borrowed” some True Oil from my husband to try it. I bought a large bottle and will now be using it on most things I make!  It doesn’t smell! It looks nice! IT DOES NOT STINK!