Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | May 10, 2005 04:13pm | #1

   Philip,

   Most any fabric shop will have felt by the yard, whether it is wool is another question.  How 'bout one of dad's old fedora hats? Try at a thrift shop.

   Cheers,

   Ray

2. 
   hammer1 | May 10, 2005 04:37pm | #2

   I've used a piece from old snowmobile boot liners for a conforming sanding block. With French polishing, you want to use pure wool as the wick in the mouse. The liners, today, are often polypropylene or a blend. A piece from an old wool sock or sweater wrapped inside a couple layers of old white cotton T-shirt is a favorite. The wool will hold but not absorb the shellac. With traditional French polishing, you don't want very much shellac weeping through. Just a few drops on the wool is usually enough. A drop of olive oil on the cotton is also a traditional method. Touching down and lifting off the work is a bit tricky at first, you use a circular motion with a feather touch. It's a lot of work for what I consider a delicate finish. Make sure you practice on a scrap first.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   BarryO | May 11, 2005 01:06am | #3

   It's pretty easy to "accidentally" make felted wool.  Get some wool fleece from a spinners' supply oufit.  If you wash it "too much", it turns into felted wool.

   I know this because LOML is into spinning.

4. 
   Floss | May 11, 2005 05:54am | #4

   If you can't find wool use some cotton wadding. It is easier to find and works the same.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
1. 
   donbutler | May 11, 2005 03:10pm | #5

   My wife and I own a Knit Shop and felting is a big thing these days. It's really a simple process: Wash hot, rinse cold, very little soap. We recommend using a bag like a pillow case, whether felting knitted work or fleece (roving).

   Pure, untreated, unbleached wool is best.

   Regards,

    

   DonI'm not the man I used to be, but then I never was!

1. 
   Floss | May 11, 2005 03:59pm | #6

   I'll give it a try. Does it work to just handwash? Or do you need to machine wash?J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com

1. 
   donbutler | May 11, 2005 04:41pm | #7

   Hand washing will work. Do it as hot as you can stand it and give it a lot of agitation, followed by cold rinse and lay it out to dry. You won't believe your eyes!

    

   DonI'm not the man I used to be, but then I never was!

1. 
   Floss | May 12, 2005 12:23am | #8

   Thanks for the tip!J.P.http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com