Tip On Dissolving Shellac

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constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1677
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Tip On Dissolving Shellac

Let me share with you the method a chemist turned guitar maker uses to dissolve shellac in alcohol.

All of the instructions I have seen for dissolving shellac say things like, "Place the shellac and the alcohol in a jar and shake until dissolved," or "Shake every time you pass by it for three days until it's all dissolved." It takes time for shellac to dissolve, and who wants to keep shaking it?

Laboratory personnel use magnetic stirrers, which look like little hot plates and in fact sometimes are also hotplates. But don't use a hotplate to dissolve shellac; alcohol is flammable (Sorry, I have to say this). There were some cheap ones available on Amazon.com, but honestly it looks like the prices of them have doubled lately to around $80; maybe there are cheaper ones elswhere, even used ones.

What you do is put the shellac flakes, or smashed buttons, into a jar with alcohol and then add a Teflon coated magnetic stirring bar, cover the jar, and put it on the stirrer. Turn on the stirrer and let it spin. The shellac will dissolve quickly and while you are free to do other things. I strain out the stirring bar among other things with a paint strainer.

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Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 5 2012 1:21:34

KMMI77

Posts: 1821
Joined: Jul. 26 2009
From: The land down under

RE: Tip On Dissolving Shellac (in reply to constructordeguitarras)

quote:

What you do is put the shellac flakes, or smashed buttons, into a jar with alcohol and then add a Teflon coated magnetic stirring bar,

Or you could just put a little alcohol in a couple of jars with the flakes. Then put a lid on them and put the jars in your pockets. Then drink the rest of the alcohol and go dancing. By morning the shellac will be mixed

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2012 6:41:44

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1677
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Tip On Dissolving Shellac (in reply to KMMI77)

I hadn't thought of that. Yes, it might be a better idea.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 6 2012 7:19:34