Burnt Shellac?

[Les Smith]

Lance.

Sure. But make sure that you have a lid for the pan that is as close
to air-tight as you can get it, to extinguish the flame once the ex-
cess alcohol has been burned away. Hell, if you're going to do it in
your bar-b-que pit, you might even want to roast a couple of weenies
over the flame! :)

Les

On Wed, 20 Aug 1997, Lance Lafargue wrote:

> Les,
> Could I put the shellac in a pie pan, put in a box (to stop the wind)
> outside to burn?  I picture this like bananas foster (a New Orleans dessert
> favorite) or a flambé.  I was thinking of putting it down in my big
> bar-b-que pit to burn in a pan.  I like using traditional methods when
> practical.  
> Lance Lafargue, RPT
> New Orleans Chapter
> Covington, LA.
> lafargue@iamerica.net
> 
> ----------
> > From: Les Smith <lessmith@buffnet.net>
> > To: pianotech@ptg.org
> > Subject: Re: Burnt Shellac?
> > Date: Wednesday, August 20, 1997 11:45 AM
> > 
> > Hi, Sue.
> > 
> > Burnt shellac is usually made in quantity, which means that you have to
> > start with at least a half pint of thinned shellac and a full pint is
> > probably better. The alcohol won't get enough oxygen to burn off when
> > the shellac is still in a regular can. You have to transfer the shellac 
> > to a wide shallow pan like a cake-pan to burn it off. You also need a
> > tight cover for the pan so that you can estinguish the flame afterwards.
> > Once the burnt shellac has cooled, it will be the consistency of thick
> > molasses. It's best applied--and kept--by putting it in a plastic
> > squeeze bottle such as carpenter's glue comes in. Make sure that you
> > keep a top on it to keep it from getting too thick. When appling small
> > amounts you can squeeze some out on to a flat surface like a metal jar
> > lid and then transfer it to where you want it with a small brush. Try-
> > ing to make thickened shellac by evaporation, in sufficient quantity,
> > just doesn't seem practical. I will repeat, however, that the PVC-E
> > glue makes a fine substitute for the more traditional burnt shellac.
> > The burning off of the alcohol from thinned shellac is a dangerous
> > operation.
> > 
> > BTW, the only "dumb" question, especially on a super-friendly list like
> > this, is the one that goes un-asked!
> > 
> > Les Smith  
> > 
> > On Wed, 20 Aug 1997, Susan Kline wrote:
> > 
> > > Hi, Les --
> > > 
> > > Just a question, disregard if dumb. If you wanted to remove the alcohol
> > > without the risk of combustion, couldn't you put some shellac in an
> open
> > > dish and just leave it for awhile, maybe stirring a little, till it was
> the
> > > right consistency?
> > > 
> > > By the way, if anyone needs to see your post about threaded damper
> wires, I
> > > still have it and could send it to them.
> > > 
> > > Regards,
> > > 
> > > Susan
> > > 
> > >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > 
> > > At 10:35 AM 8/20/97 -0400, Les wrote:
> > > >Hi, Lance.
> > > >
> > > >Burnt shellac is just that, burnt shellac. You take regular, already
> > > >mixed shellac, and burn off the excess alcohol. It's a somewhat tricky
> > > >proceedure because alcohol burns with an almost clear, hard-to-see
> flame.
> > > >Since you probably wouldn't want to risk burning down your shop, it's
> > > >a job best done outdoors in a clear area, on a windless day.
> Fortunately,
> > > >there is a modern alternative that works quite well--PVC-E glue. Just
> > > >apply a small amount with a small artists brush to where the damper
> > > >wire enters the flange, or damperhead and let dry. Carpenter's glue
> > > >won't hold a wood to metal bond and will eventually let go; CA glue
> > > >will wick so deep that you most likely won't be able to unscrew the
> > > >wire from the flange again, without risking breaking something. PVC-E
> > > >glue is probably the way to go.   
> > > >
> > > >Les Smith
> > > >
> > > >On Wed, 20 Aug 1997, Lance Lafargue wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Not long ago someone talked about securing damper heads to wires
> (those
> > > >> that rock back and forth) with burnt shellac.  Is that orange-brown
> stuff
> > > >> that comes in flakes that horn repair people use?  Where can I get
> that? 
> > > >> How is it prepared? Is that what Steinway and others used to finish
> > > >> soundboards? I was thinking of putting a drop of superglue or
> carpenters
> > > >> glue on them.  What do you think? 
> > > >> Lance Lafargue, RPT
> > > >> New Orleans Chapter
> > > >> Covington, LA.
> > > >> lafargue@iamerica.net
> > > >> 
> > > ------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Susan Kline 
> > > P.O. Box 1651
> > > Philomath, OR 97370
> > > skline@proaxis.com
> > > 
> > > "When all other means of communication fail, try words."
> > > 			-- Ashleigh Brilliant
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
>