Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > May 2011 > 2011.05.06 > 02Prev  Next


How Shellac is Made
By Paul Manganaro

I don't think the average homeowner or do-it-yourselfer has much use
or awareness of shellac.  I've been a restorer for many years and use
shellac regularly in my shop to finish some player components and to
coat channels to make them air tight.

Many years ago I learned shellac was made from a substance secreted
by insects in India.  I searched for information such as what the
insects look like, how big they are and how many are needed to produce
the substance secreted.

I thought it must be similar to the collection of silk thread from
silkworms in that it must take many insects and most likely poor people
took part in the industry (by the nature of the time intensive work
and probable low pay).  I couldn't imagine how insects could produce
enough of the substance used to produce the thousands of gallons of
shellac used in the piano and furniture trade during the early part of
the 20th century.  Not all furniture from the early 1900s was finished
using shellac.  Some finishes were resin based, produced from tree
resin.

Recently, Fine Woodworking Magazine published two articles by author
Vijay Velji.  The first article is about how shellac is made and the
second is about French polishing:

https://www.finewoodworking.com/item/33455/learn-how-shellac-is-made 

The YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQcQ0yuekZ0 
answered all my questions about shellac production.  It's a must to
watch for all restorers and collectors.

Mr. Vijay Velji has a web site where he sells various kinds of shellac,
http://www.shellacfinishes.com/  I have yet to fully explore his site
to find all that he has to offer.  I'm especially interested in his
French polishing supplies and techniques.

Check out the video and his web site, I'd like to hear your reactions.

Paul Manganaro

 [ A DVD about French polishing, by Vijay Velji, is described at
 [ http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/20203/french-polishing-demystified 
 [ -- Editor (Robbie)


(Message sent Sat 7 May 2011, 03:35:41 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  How, is, Made, Shellac

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page