Manufacturer and builder 2, 1875
Q
What are the proportions of alcohol, shellac, lamp-black, and emery in the prescription given in answer to query 1105?
— E. B., New Rutland, Ill.
A.
We have made and used this mixture for years, and never bothered ourselves about the proportions. We dissolve plenty of shellac in alcohol, and when too thick to be used with a brush, dilute it with alcohol until of the right connistency; then we put in lampblack, a little at a time, and stir it up until there is enough black to cause it to cover well; we now add a mere trace of the finest emery, and try a small portion on the wall to see if it is satisfactory, which is soon decided as it dries in a few minutes. If it is too thick, put in more alcohol; if not black enough, put in more lampblack; if not gritty enough, put in more emery. Such is the way for a practical man to help himself. Prescribed quantities would not suit under all circumstances of season and locality, besides the alcohol evaporates continually from the varnish, and it becomes thicker while you are using it, therefore you have to add alcohol from time to time anyhow.
Practical men do not lose time in asking questions about proportions of mixtures of the nature of the above, nor do they ask if certain substances will dissolve or mix, as we are often asked; they go to work and try it. The actual experiment will always give you a better mod more reliable answer than you can expect even from the highest authority. We repeat: be practical, and go to work yourself; attempt to solve your own problems as much as possible. This is the most useful training you can give yourself.
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