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Care and Feeding of the Cameron Drill Press
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Depth Stop A:
The Safety Shield |
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Question #1: This question is for Sally. Why do you use rectified
turpentine? Have you ever thinned with mineral spirits? I have some artist's
odorless mineral spirits I am thinking of trying, but wanted to know what
you like about the rectified turpentine? Thank you, Lee
A: Lee,
I began to use and suggest the artist's rectified turpentine because I
did not want anyone to use regular housepainters' turpentine or paint thinner
they might have on hand. The turpentine that is usually purchased in a
hardware store will cause artists' oils to "thread" or "clump" and
make a mess of whatever is being worked on. As long as whatever you choose
as the thinner is highly refined, I would certainly go ahead and use it.
The odorless turpentine substitute thinners are wonderful because of the
lack of the noxious smell however they are still as dangerous and breathing
the "non-fumes" can cause just as many problems. So always use
any paint thinner or rectified turpentine in a well ventilated room. Winsor & Newton
makes a product called Sansodor that is low odor and can be used with both
alkyd and oil colors.
- Sally Hoffman
Question
#2: I am looking for a source for thin glass to use in bookcase
doors. The glass should be a maximum of 1/32". My pieces are one-inch
scale.
A: A source for thin glass and mirrors is:
George D. Wrisley
17784 S.E. Paradise Dr.
Milwaukee, OR 97267
Tel. 503-635-2591
Question
#3: I live in Australia and the only shellac I can find is in
flakes. How can I make up a shellac solution? Thanks, Maureen.
A: Gee
Whiz! A question from Australia i.e. downunder. Ain't the Internet great
or what?
Your are lucky to have shellac flakes readily available. They have an advantage
over prepared shellac in that:
a) When kept in air tight can and away from moisture the flakes last almost
Indefinitely and,
b) You can make up a fresh batch as needed. I have a one-pound can I
bought a dozen years ago, and it is still half full.
Now to answer
your question Measurements may have to be converted to Australian.
Take a teaspoon of the shellac flake and place in a 2-ounce (60ml) bottle.
Add 1-ounce (30ml) denatured alcohol. Shake and stir until the flakes have
dissolved. That's it. Test on a piece of scrap. This is a trial-and-error
process. I have given a good first approximation for you to start with.
If the solution is too weak for your taste/task, add a bit more flake.
If too thick, add the denatured alcohol with a dropper until you have what
you want. After the experiment is successful, you can readily make up fresh
batches without much trouble.
Denatured alcohol
is available in the paint section of most hardware stores (do you call
them Ironmongers in Australia?). It is simply grain alcohol that has a
small amount of noxious chemical added such as benzene, to make it undrinkable.
Hope this helps, and good luck. If you have a problem, just write again. Julian Biggers
P.S. The shellac
flakes will dissolve a bit faster if they are crushed. Just put the flakes
in a mortar and grind them. (Every house has a mortar and pestle doesn't
it?) Without the mortar, put in the metal top
from a jar. Cover with paper (to keep chips from flying), and bang a few times
with a small hammer, or the bottom of a jar that fits inside the lid. Do not
use wax paper to cover. Part of the refining process is to
dewax the shellac resin.

