Official Luthiers Forum! :: View topic - keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other

I store mine in an airtight container in the freezer. It seems to keep the shellac indefinitely.

It strikes me we sometimes go looking for things to worry about....

I wouldn't store it in cab-o-sil, it'd be really hard to get the cab-o-sil off of the flakes IMO. Cab-o-sil is often used as a thickening agent, I sure a little woudn't hurt but a lot would certianly effect the way the shellac flows. I can't really see cleaning it off the flakes.

I really wouldn't mix anything into it. I think that's just begging for trouble, especially if it's not alcohol soluble. You will end up with particles of whatever in your finish...it may as well be dust. I think your major problem, and I know this because I spent many many months in Taiwan on business, is that it is always humid and usually warm. Your shellac will always melt into a clump under those conditions. Maybe try tossing the bag in the refrigerator.

Even if it ends up in a clump, though, you can still just bust it up with a hammer and regrind it, but the flakes are much less prone to this than finely ground powder.

A little O.T.
How do you use shellac as a pyrotechnic material?

Author:	Tai Fu [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:34 am ]
Post subject:	keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Is there anything I can add to shellac flakes (I have milled it into a fine powder with a blender) from sticking to each other? Its annoying when they stick together during storage.

Author:	B. Howard [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Aside from keeping them in a cool place out of sunlight in a tightly sealed container there is not much you can do to prevent it. Part of the beauty of shellac is how it readily bonds with itself. Perhaps packing in smaller quantities may help, the weight of the flakes themselves can cause them to stick together.

Author:	Andy Birko [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:37 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
I'll bet those silica gel packets would help.

Author:	bobgramann [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:30 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
I store mine in an airtight container in the freezer. It seems to keep the shellac indefinitely.

Author:	Tai Fu [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
bobgramann wrote: I store mine in an airtight container in the freezer. It seems to keep the shellac indefinitely. Someone suggested mixing them with cab o sil which is basically very fine/fluffy silica. Would that work, and will it mess with its finish characteristic?

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Author:	John Coloccia [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 9:51 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Don't grind it up until you're ready to use it. I have a small coffee grinder that I picked up at a garage sale for $3 in my shop just for that. Beyond that, just keep it cool and dry. I have bags that have been here for over 2 years that are still OK because I keep them sealed, dry and cool. If you grind them up first, I think the situation is almost hopeless.

Author:	Dave Stewart [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
I just keep mine, in their original container or polybag, in a dark cupboard in the basement! Some has been there over 20 years...never a problem! It strikes me we sometimes go looking for things to worry about....

Author:	Dan Pennington [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 10:20 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Dave Stewart wrote: It strikes me we sometimes go looking for things to worry about.... I don't have to go looking. My wife tells me what to worry about.

Author:	David Newton [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
The more highly processed/dewaxed melts together more readily. It still dissolves in alcohol. I had a big cardboard "can" of Behlens waxy orange shellac flakes that my dad bought in the 1950's. I used the last of it this year.

Author:	Jim Watts [ Sat Jun 30, 2012 11:04 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
I wouldn't store it in cab-o-sil, it'd be really hard to get the cab-o-sil off of the flakes IMO. Cab-o-sil is often used as a thickening agent, I sure a little woudn't hurt but a lot would certianly effect the way the shellac flows. I can't really see cleaning it off the flakes.

Author:	Tai Fu [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 4:15 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Jim Watts wrote: I wouldn't store it in cab-o-sil, it'd be really hard to get the cab-o-sil off of the flakes IMO. Cab-o-sil is often used as a thickening agent, I sure a little woudn't hurt but a lot would certianly effect the way the shellac flows. I can't really see cleaning it off the flakes. Most pyro guys recommends them because they are used as a free flow agent for many chemicals, and only 1% by weight is added. I just don't know if that little will affect the shellac's strength.

Author:	John Coloccia [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:28 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
I really wouldn't mix anything into it. I think that's just begging for trouble, especially if it's not alcohol soluble. You will end up with particles of whatever in your finish...it may as well be dust. I think your major problem, and I know this because I spent many many months in Taiwan on business, is that it is always humid and usually warm. Your shellac will always melt into a clump under those conditions. Maybe try tossing the bag in the refrigerator. Even if it ends up in a clump, though, you can still just bust it up with a hammer and regrind it, but the flakes are much less prone to this than finely ground powder.

Author:	Tai Fu [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 8:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
John Coloccia wrote: I really wouldn't mix anything into it. I think that's just begging for trouble, especially if it's not alcohol soluble. You will end up with particles of whatever in your finish...it may as well be dust. I think your major problem, and I know this because I spent many many months in Taiwan on business, is that it is always humid and usually warm. Your shellac will always melt into a clump under those conditions. Maybe try tossing the bag in the refrigerator. Even if it ends up in a clump, though, you can still just bust it up with a hammer and regrind it, but the flakes are much less prone to this than finely ground powder. Well, I am also using the shellac as a pyrotechnic material as well (kill 2 birds with one stone), so that at least allows me to go through them a little quicker, because I think they do have a shelf life. The high humidity is a serious problem and I wish I can go somewhere drier but dry climate has its own set of problems (like usually fireworks are severely restricted due to risk of a fire starting) and low humidity does more damage to wood than high. I am now storing the shellac in my usual dry room that I keep the woods in... I hope this will reduce the clumping.

Author:	Dave Rickard [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:11 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
A little O.T. How do you use shellac as a pyrotechnic material?

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Author:	Tai Fu [ Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:14 am ]
Post subject:	Re: keeping shellac flake from sticking to each other
Dave Rickard wrote: A little O.T. How do you use shellac as a pyrotechnic material? It is a traditional firework resin fuel and binder. Now they use red gum but since I cannot find it in Taiwan (no idea what they are called outside of the pyrotechnic circle) and I happen to have shellac around...