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I spent all of last week excited to spend 2 really focused days in the shop.

It was not to be. The flu hit me hard on Friday night and I was down all weekend. I'm still running a low fever, but can function...so I spent some time in the shop today.

It was time weel spent.

I've struggled with French polish since I began building three years ago. I really like traditional techniques and have no desire, place or equipment to spray laquer.

I make no claim on mastering French polish, but for the first time, I have a handle on it. It was truly exciting to watch a really glossy finish build.

I do have some problems around the fretboard. The Muneca doesn't get into the corners. It will take practice to get into the corners without slowing down or laying an uneven finish.

I made some minor leaps in inlay cutting. I've been having some real problems seeing my work. I've tried glasses, magnifiers, etc. All are exercises in frustration. The solution was simple to purchase a stool that put my face and eyes at work level without straining.

I'm encouraged to do some more elaborate inlay..and finish the circus uke, I've been putting off.

Geoff the FP finish looks just as it should. nice job

Good looking guitar and finish my friend. I wish I was up to trying french polish, maybe someday. Joe Beaver38796.9428703704

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Geoff, i'm in the same position as you regarding the finishing steps of an instrument, i don't want to spray, i'd love to french polish all my builds to come.

Yours polishing is looking great and so is the uke bud!

Thanks for sharin'!

To french polish up to the fingerboard or around a pre-glued bridge don't use your usual rubber (muneca) but cut a small wedge of hard felt and wrap that in your cloth. The point of the wedge will fit tight into the corners.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks Colin...It sounds like a good use for all of those felt uke picks that my students try to use.

Geoff, that warm glow and color on the top looks great!

Geoff, beautiful patina and color! What shellac are you using?   Best, Carey.

I don't remember. The label is off the bag. I do remember that it came from Woodcraft. I also always buy the darkest shades I can find. I like the golden glow of vintage finishes and think that this comes as close as one can come.

Here 'tis..

Hock Dewaxed Shellac from Woodcrafters. Upon reflection, I suspect I use the orange. I'd better figure this out if I want to repeat my success.

Very nice. The darker, less refined shellacs also seem to
hold up better.. Doubly good!   CW

Hi Carey, welcome to the OLF!

SergeSerge Poirier38798.0206828704

Thanks Serge- been lurking for quite a while; a fine group here!   CW

Geoff,

Your FP job looks great. I also struggle with using FP around an attached fingerboard on classical guitars. I've found that you can take an eraser (the parallelogram type) and cut it to any shape you need and put it under your muneca. It works really well for getting in the cracks.

Cheers!

John

I agree about it looking tremendous. What cut of shellac are you using?
From what I've been researching lately, it seems like people are saying go
with a 2 pound cut.

Thanks for the kind words. This is really the first time that I felt that I had any control over the process. Often the process controls me.

I used a 2 lb. cut.

Here's some more confusion for you...

Those Hock shellac flakes are a very good product, and all dewaxed (you can also buy them at his web site). I think, but don't know for sure, that his supplier is Liberon--the folks at shellac.net, but they seem to run out of some colors before Hock does! I've noticed that Woodcraft now carries the Liberon flakes in addition to the Hock shellac; but not all of the Liberon product is dewaxed. Be sure you know what you're buying before you pays your bucks!CarltonM38798.6311921296