Shellac questions

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Hi Guys,

I intend to buy de-waxed Shellac for the purpose of sticking smallish brass disks (blank clock wheels for example) to a lathe arbour or faceplate for machining. The purpose of using Shellac is at this point purely to access it.

Can anyone advise on the proceedure to heat / melt / fix / adjust the wax to acheive success.

Chris

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

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

Ian P

[oldveloParticipant @oldvelo]

Hi Chris

Shellac gasket sealant is available from automotive spares stockists. Shellac is soluble in methylated spirits or iso propyl alcohol.

Super Glue to fix  parts and heat to remove it . Acetone is the solvent for Super Glue. Some Nail polish removers that contain Acetone in a high percentage will work. 

Eric

 

Edited By oldvelo on 23/07/2020 02:03:55

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Aren't shellac and wax two different things?

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Hopper on 23/07/2020 05:21:57:

Aren't shellac and wax two different things?

Depends on how much it is refined for how much wax it contains.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

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.

[John Andrews 2Participant @johnandrews2]

Why bother with shellac and wax? Super glue is better and so is double sided sticky tape

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

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

[Chris Kirby 1Participant @chriskirby1]

I think what would be good for this is "dopping wax", lapidarists use it.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

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

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Hot air guns are a controllable alternative to a flame. They will soften paint for stripping so will manage this duty with power to spare.

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

Posted by John Andrews 2 on 23/07/2020 07:43:23:

Why bother with shellac and wax? Super glue is better and so is double sided sticky tape

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.

[Chris TickTockParticipant @christicktock]

Thanks for all posts so far. My interest in Shellac is purely not to dismiss something through the machinist / tradionalist divide. Shellac obviously has its uses.

I found this video interesting

Chris

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

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.

[MeunierParticipant @meunier]

Posted by old mart on 24/07/2020 20:28:55:

snip//. It was used to seal small screws and the like.

I tried so hard to resist asking whether it "locked them tight" ?
DaveD

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

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

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

When centering circles in a Theodolite the adhewsive used was shellac, the clamping disc had segments cut out and small holes in the bits left. These holes were filled with shellac. and the gaps were filled with clear cellulose

Mounting prisms in blocks, were secured in place with a grubscrew on oneside and shellac in the hole on the otherside, screws were sealed over with shellac. Also showed that if someone had adjusted any part the shellac was chipped away.

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

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

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