Local Supplies

mikea · Post by **mikea** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 12:11 pm

Quick question. What kind of store would customarily stock carnauba wax and the different types of buffing wheels generally used by the pipe-making community. Home Depot probably has the buffing but what about the wax? Thanks

bscofield · Post by **bscofield** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 12:24 pm

I got my carnuba, brown trip., & white buffing compound all at Woodcraft. They are local for me and have lots of locations. Check out their website:

www.woodcraft.com

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 1:26 pm

bscofield wrote:I got my carnuba, brown trip., & white buffing compound all at Woodcraft. They are local for me and have lots of locations. Check out their website:

www.woodcraft.com

Yep, they are a *great* source for many things, including small carving gouges, chip knives, needle files, hardwoods, etc. There's one in most major cities or in outlying areas.

Best,

Todd

ArtGuy · Post by **ArtGuy** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 1:51 pm

I order my buffing compounds from Lee Valley tools.

ArtGuy · Post by **ArtGuy** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 2:54 pm

Random- I would try using denatured alcohol rather than isopropyl alcohol.

jeff · Post by **jeff** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 2:55 pm

Random,

As far as I know there is no reason to break up the flakes. Of course, this will facilitate dissolving, but it's not such a big deal that I would risk contaminating it with anything that might be on your hands.

Mixing with Isopropyl is probably the biggest no-no. Isopropyl has an alcohol content of about 45-55%, not nearly enough to use for this application. That may explain the incompleteness of dissolving. So, try some denatured alcohol next time (95-98% grain alcohol) or everclear if you are a purist. That will help you dissolve the flakes much more thoroughly and quickly.

I can't remember the proportions off-hand, but check with shellac.net for that info.

The cloudiness may also be attributed to the kind of shellac that you purchased. I use extra-blonde, or whatever their lightest stuff is. Having never purchased anything from woodcraft, I don't know what they carry, but shellac.net has an excellent selection, the best I've seen by far, great customer service, and quick shipping.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

achduliebe · Post by **achduliebe** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 3:46 pm

Hey Random,

Beleive it or not I got my denatured alcohol at Wal-Mart and it was the quart size. I found it where they sell the paint thinner products. I think I paid like $2.50 for it.

ToddJohnson · Post by **ToddJohnson** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 4:00 pm

achduliebe wrote:Hey Random,

Beleive it or not I got my denatured alcohol at Wal-Mart and it was the quart size. I found it where they sell the paint thinner products. I think I paid like $2.50 for it.

Yeah, pretty much every hardware store I've ever been in, Ace, Lowes, Home Depot, etc. has it in quart sizes. If you're operating out of a van though, you may just want to go to the local liquor store and get a flask sized bottle of Grain Alcahol, what we call PGA in the south. It's probably only $5 and you can keep it in your pocket at all times if you've no place to store it.

Todd

marks · Post by **marks** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:27 am

Just about any store that sells paint supplies should carry denatured alcohol. Some states do not sell everclear (grain alcohol), but I have successfully used this as well.

pipemaker · Post by **pipemaker** » Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:04 pm

Just a couple of observations.

The Carnuba wax from Woodcraft appears to be a bit harder and more durable than others I have used.

I have had the best results finishing a rusticated pipe by chucking a 1/2" dia. round, stiff bristle brush in the lathe and applying wax with this. It gets into the recesses and levels the wax to a reasonable degree.
I follow this by applying dewaxed shellac ( ultra blonde, thinned to a 1 lb. cut) on top of the wax with a brush. The alcohol appears to disolve the wax and combines it with the shellac, resulting in an even uniform finish.
The gloss can be increased with a second application of shellac if desired.

Mike