Replies

1. 
   user-83153 | May 01, 2007 03:33am | #1

   Joe,

     I only have a couple problems with that post.

     First, the measuring method is pretty imprecise. Depending on the size of the flakes this could result in anything between a 2 to 6# cut. I like to measure 12 oz. of flakes into a quart jar and add a pint and a half of alcohol. This allows for the displacement of volume of the flakes and still fits in a quart jar. You then have a 4# cut that can easily be cut to different strengths for different purposes. Of course if you aren't going to use that much in a month or so you should reduce your proportions.

     Second, I think that 2 or 3 days seems like a long time for the flakes to dissolve. Mine usually takes less than 12 hours with only occasional agitation. If it took that long to dissolve I would question the freshness of the flakes themselves.

                                    Rob

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | May 01, 2007 04:30am | #2

   Rob:

   It is the author's method, not mine. 

   My own suspicion is that the slowness to dissolve is directly related to the limited amount of DnA rather than the freshness of the flakes.  However, I am not sure I care too much about the precise measurement of the cut.  You just need a consistency that will work for what you are doing--because shellac is a solution and does not undergo a chemical reaction that requires exact proportions.   

   Joe

1. 
   user-83153 | May 01, 2007 05:02am | #3

   Joe,

     I know it wasn't your method. I also know that shellac doesn't have to be precisely measured. I just think that the method he describes is a bit too imprecise. I have seen bags of shellac with most of the flakes as big as 2 1/2 inches and I have seen bags that were almost completely powder as you can imagine that method would yield wildly different cuts with those two different bags. Certainly you don't need to be as precise as I usually am but you should be a little more precise than that. Especially if you are new to the shellac game.

     The speed that the flakes dissolve is certainly proportional to the shellac to DNA ratio. Still I wouldn't expect to wait 2 or 3 days for it to dissolve.

                 Rob

1. 
   Joe Sullivan | May 01, 2007 05:25am | #4

   Ok.  No argument.  I really thought that the thickness of the shellac solution that he prefers was interesting, though, didn't you?

   J

1. 
   user-83153 | May 01, 2007 05:34am | #5

   Joe,

     Yes, I would guess that in most cases he is getting around a 6# cut, which does seem to be quite thick. I can't imagine using that for a french polish. I wonder what it would be like to brush. I may have to try that sometime. I know you couldn't spray it that thick. You'd probably blow the gun apart before you got it to atomize. It would be like trying to spray syrup.

                           Rob

2. 
   mudman | May 01, 2007 06:44am | #6

   I've done enough shellacing to have figured out a system that works for me. If that guy is using 6# cut for french polish he must have a different standard for the quality of the final product than I do. The reason to cut the shellac when french polishing is to prevent the ridges from showing. If I use much more than a 2 pound cut the path of the pad leaves a ridge the is imposible to work out. I know that as I have gotten better I have been able to use a heaver cut (used to use a 1# or so) but there is a limit to what can be worked out.

   Having said that I do pile on the shellac with spray equipment and brushing. I spray 3# cut to build up a the thickness I want, then I sand it level to a 400 grit and start french polishing with a 1 1/2# cut untill it has the sheen I want. I use a thin cut because I am done building the film and just want to polish the surface.

   Pardon my spelling,

   Mike

   Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.