[nbo10]

Hi All,
I'm getting close to finishing a bed frame that I made with douglas fir. Would rounding over the edges help prevent splintering? Is there a finish that would help? Thanks

 

[Dave Paine]

Rounding over the edges should help. It helped for a bench top I made.

However, you need to look carefully at the grain direction. I was not so careful and ended up with a piece tearing out. In hindsight, I would have had to use a climb cut on this section.

Sand down the surfaces.

I do not know if there is a finish which will prevent splintering, but I would use a hard film finish like a polyurethane and several coats.

 

[cabinetman]

Rounding over the edges should help. It helped for a bench top I made.

However, you need to look carefully at the grain direction. I was not so careful and ended up with a piece tearing out. In hindsight, I would have had to use a climb cut on this section.

Sand down the surfaces.

I do not know if there is a finish which will prevent splintering, but I would use a hard film finish like a polyurethane and several coats.

+1. :yes:
A small chamfer would also work, which could be used to run a roundover. A waterbase polyurethane would also be a good topcoat.

.