CHAPTER XVII 



VARNISHING RODS 



WHEN your rod has been wound, it is 

 well to take up each joint, and while 

 turning it rapidly, pass it over an 

 alcohol or gas flame to remove all fuzzy ends 

 of silk. Be careful that the flame is not close 

 enough to scorch the windings, however. If 

 any ends of silk protrude, cut them off short 

 with a sharp knife. 



Now warm your grain alcohol shellac 

 slightly, so that it will flow well, and with the 

 thin, round artist's brush previously referred 

 to, coat each silk winding evenly, being care- 

 ful to keep the shellac off the wood. As a rule 

 one coat on the windings will be sufficient, but 

 if the silk seems to be dry and dull after the 

 first coat has dried, go over it lightly a second 

 time, and let the rod dry for several hours. 

 Because the shellac seems to be dry and hard 

 on the surface of the windings after an hour, 

 do not take it for granted and go ahead with 

 varnishing. Shellac dries on the surface first, 

 216 



