What are you trying to access, or did you mean assess?

Ian P

Aren't shellac and wax two different things?

The natural wax in it can give a slightly cloudy look when it is used for polishing so the wax is removed hence Chris looking a dewaxed shellac.

About a year ago there was a two part article in ME 4623 and 4625 by Tony Bird which explains about making and using shellac chucks as well a susing it to hold other items, he also has several Youtube videos on the subject.

I would avoid any form of liquid shellac such as the gasket sealer mentioned above as it will contain solvents that will more than likely flare up as the heat is applied with a blow torch. Stick form would be ideal though you could melt some flake into a lump..

Chris had a thread running the other day about using Superglue now he wants to try shellac so best keep superglue suggestions in that thread.

Edited By JasonB on 23/07/2020 08:07:36

So is dewaxed shellac what you use on polishing wood? And clock wheel shellac the waxy stick variety?

Either way, one of those small butane torches that clips straight on a diposable can of gas should work. Available any harware store for peanuts. They have trigger ignition and a very controllable flame yet plenty of heat if you crank it up. Has become my go to workshop heat source.

These days a cheapo hot glue gun might be an alternative too.

Edited By Hopper on 23/07/2020 09:50:23

I've had some difficult experiences with double-sided tape. Some of them are intended to be permanent and when separated – with difficulty – leave a very sticky residue which is a nuisance to get off. The other, and more serious, shortcoming is that they are flexible and allow the work to move sideways under pressure, which destroys any thoughts of accuracy. I'm talking about plain tape here, not the cushioned variety.

George B.

A long time ago, I was an instrument mechanic working in aircraft stuff, and we had a supply of shellac in flake form which was dissolved in methylated spirits, (the undyed type) as we required it. It was used to seal small screws and the like.

Easily applied dissolved in alcohol, but can also simply be warmed. Melting point is below 100C. And in answer to the question 'Why not superglue?' – shellac does not require inquisitive children to visit the hospital to get their eyes open again.

Tim

Try holding a relatively long thin (say 0.5-1mm diameter and 10-15mm long) part to work on the end with superglue.

With shellac you can drill a hole, fill it up, warm it and then insert the part.
You can make the part run true with a little heat to soften and some careful pressing.

As with most things tool related it’s having the knowledge of the easy way which makes life simpler.

Dave