Sweet mother of mercy I have been waiting a long time to post this entry.
Question: Do you want a polissoir that looks and works exactly like the one shown in Roubo’s 18th-century masterwork?
Answer: Why yes, I do. Click here.
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks is offering a gorgeous and simple polissoir that is the twin of the one shown in A.J. Roubo’s “l’Art du Menuisier.” It matches the original in form, size and everything. And it’s only $36. Buy it now or you will regret it when they run out.
This polissoir is made by the same artisan who makes Don Williams’s polissoir. And these are provided to Lie-Nielsen by Don Williams. In other words, everyone wins. Including you.
— Christopher Schwarz
I think I would rather make my own as I do with a lot of my tools.
I remember when he used to sell these for half the price. Regardless, it’s not a lost art, I’ve been using polissoirs I’ve made myself with great success, basing the design on Roubo’s sparse description and improvising.
Justin,
I am happy you have had great success. Some of us can’t afford to improvise, or take the time. So I am happy with the price and still think of it as a bargain.
Well, I got a 15 second head-start on the blog via receipt of the L-N newsletter, not bad. We’ll see how bad the backorder is . . .
I’d like to try this technique on some mahogony for a current project using mahogony and need some help. Between 2:40 & 2:47 of Don’s video at http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/finishing/my-introduction-to-the-polissoir-roubos-wax-polisher he mentions additives to the beeswax for use when burnishing mahogony and other dark woods. I understood the words “shellac flour,” but couldn’t understand the two subsequent additives. Do you know what they were and where to obtain them? For the shellac flour, I assume that is made by pulverishing some garnet shellac. Correct?
In that snippet he mentions garnet lac (i.e. garnet shellac) and colophony. In the full video he mentions:
Colophony – pine rosin; available from art suppliers (e.g., Dick Blick).
Asphaltum – a petroleum-based mineral; available from various sources, e.g., http://www.naturalpigments.com/gilsonite-asphaltum.html
Dragon’s blood – a red plant resin; available from various sources, e.g.: http://www.herbco.com/p-547-dragons-blood-resin-powder.aspx?gclid=CLD60dTi5sICFUEV7AodZE4Avg
As for making shellac flour, it is indeed basically a matter of just grinding it up (a portable coffee grinder works). However, it’s a fairly slow process, because you have to keep the shellac cool. If you heat it too much, it will start to melt and make a clumpy mess. (Don’t ask me how I know that.)
The Shellac is all purpose flour consistency. Its a lot more difficult to get this final outcome from a coffee grinder.
Thank you for you detailed and prompt response.
I think I’ll try cutting the handle off one of my worn out whisk brooms first.
Is this product Gluten-Free?
Can’t find it on the Lie Nielsen website…..
They sold out.
Can’t complain I purchased two from Dons Barn that were beautifully crafted.
Thanks
Here is a link for those willing to make their own. From one $10 new broom, you can make 5-6 of them. https://gregmerritt.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/polissoir_instructions.pdf