Has anyone bought from shellac.net

[smorris]

http://shellac.net/

Anyone done business with them or have other suggestions for buying good shellac flake. I've decided to start rolling my own instead of buying canned after a bad experience on a project recently.

[woodturner]

http://shellac.net/

Anyone done business with them or have other suggestions for buying good shellac flake.

That business was started by Patrick Olguin from the Old Tools list some years ago. I bought shellac from him at that point, and have been very pleased with the product. However, I seem to recall hearing that he sold the business, so I don't know if it would be the same product. A search of the Old Tools archives should provide some other testimonials and information on current ownership.

Another consideration is what solvent to use to mix the shellac. Denatured alcohol is commonly used, but has been "denatured" by adding poisons and suspected carcinogens. I prefer to buy pure grain alcohol from the liquor store to use as the solvent. It's much safer than denatured alcohol and the additional cost is minimal.

Some people use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to mix shellac. I've done it and it works OK, but rubbing alcohol tends to have a lot of water in it.