Official Luthiers Forum!

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17935/17935-8.txt

This is a book published in 1910 covering french polishing and enamelling (wood). It has many old-timey recipes, many which we wouldn't use today, but need to know about for restorations. But there is tons of stuff in here relevant to new instruments, and the instructions seem very well written. Take a look - this is an amazing resource!


edit: for a humorous example of what we might not want to use today:

A poisonous vapour exhales from several of the Indian varnishes,especially from that of Sylhet, and is apt to produce over the whole skin inflammations, swellings, itchings, and pustules, as if the body had been stung by a number of wasps. Its effects, however, go off in a few hours. As a preventative the persons who collect the varnish, before going to work, smear their faces and hands with greasy matter to prevent the varnish poison coming into contact with their skin.

rlabbe38806.4005671296

So would that Indian varnish be safe for salad bowls?

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Thanks for posting the link Rlabbe, I have saved it for a read later.

Cheers

Kim

I know I was pretty flippant with my last remark, but Roger this is a great find. It would be neat to try the recipes for the Waterproof French Polish and the Musical Instrument Varnish.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice