Finishing Oak.

[Tim Lamb]

We are coming to the end of having a new staircase fitted. Apart from specifying and ordering, my total involvement so far has been helping manoeuvre it through the front door and machining up a strip of farm Oak to finish the landing return! I don't think beeswax is ideal as a stair finish but what should I use? My carpenters have recommended *Osmo* which is a fancy finishing oil from Germany. Attempting to buy some through Amazon, I got caught by their new secure login: where you have to *tap* the message sent to your mobile! Are geriatric/Luddites not allowed to shop anymore! I suppose I could get the catering dept. to use her account. Two birds with one stone as the new stair was entirely her idea!

[Andy Burns]

For my oak desk, I used polyvine wax finish satin varnish, it's a nice natural look, not "shiny" or slippy so I think it's be ok for socked feet on stairs ...

[nothanks]

I've used Osmo frequently, very good but not cheap. In case you aren't aware there's a range of types so a bit of research is needed. Also, you may well find cheaper suppliers (on feebay or elsewhere) than Amazon.

[Robert]

+1 for Osmo, nice finish used it in a bathroom and for door thresholds.

[Tim Lamb]

Indeed. I have an order penciled in with a supplier at Folkestone.

[Tim Lamb]

OK. I'll ask the carpenters for details tomorrow when they fit the GLASS balustrades:-)

[Nick Odell]

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<snip>

Tell me about it! I am ordering on my laptop and my primitive, voice-and-text-only featurephone rings with a click-through link in the SMS. Except I can't click through on a featurephone. So far I have succeeded by typing the link, character by character, into my laptop browser but why can't they just send an authorisation code like everybody else does?

Nick

[Andy Burns]

I've made one amazon order this year, and none of this SMS malarkey ...

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

That only happens sometimes. I think its done randomly, since normally there is no issue. Its not that hard as its quite a short number to remember usually. There is a lot of fraud going on just now.

Brian

[Tim Lamb]

In message <rtma43$7f8$ [e-mail], "Brian Gaff (Sofa)" [e-mail]> writes

This isn't just a code number to type into your browser but a

*clickable* link. Hopefully their IT dept. will get a sharp kick:-)

[Robin]

FWLIW I still receive simple message with a 6 digit OTP. I also still have the option to have the OTP sent by voice call. You could see if you can switch to voice call (in Your Account ? Login & security ? Two-Step Verification (2SV) Settings).

[alan_m]

Surely they are only sending the security settings by the means you specified?

I haven't had this with Amazon yet but with other similar systems I've had the options of text/sms, email, and automated voice via normal landline phone.

[alan_m]

It may depend on what you do. You may see the security kick in at random, when changing from the normal payment method (new card etc.) or changing delivery address.

For instance, one building society account I have only seems to want the extra security when transferring money out of the account but not for logging in for checking etc.

[fred]

Don't give it your phone number. Most sites I've used with two factor id offer a choice between phone or email

[Tim Lamb]

If I ever get logged back in I plan to delete my mobile number and give them the landline:-)

[The Natural Philosopher]

To be honest indoors Danish oil is pretty good = apply it over bare wood or just a wipe with a spirit stain first for more colour.

A traditional glossy finish - well cellulose lacquer over stain.

[Nick Odell]

It is sent as an (authorised) SMS but instead of a short code to enter into your browser they send a fairly long, clickable link - ie breaking out of the SMS system

You have the pleasure of Amazon yet to come, then :-)

Nick

[John Rumm]

Yup its a good hybrid product with traditional oils and varnishes and waxes in various concoctions. A bit more hard wearing that an oiled finish on its own.

Axminster do lots of them:

To keep the price down you could also just go for a traditional oil finish on the bits you only look at, and reserve the posher stuff for the high contact bits.

Probably just a reflection that the geriatric Luddites are prime targets for scams, so getting them on the case with two factor authentication is a good move for all concerned!

:-)

[John Rumm]

Might be worth checking if there is PC based app that works with the feature phone. Most makers have such things to allow backing up of the phones etc and access to contacts. Many also allow the PC to be used to view and send text messages. That makes it *much* easier to copy things like URLs from messages.

[Andrew]

Oh dear. Another catering-department decision ?.