This is the April issue of the Carving and Tool
Tips section.
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techniques submitted should be "original" in nature
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This month's tip was contributed by Michael Dunn, a multi-talented artist who has a very interesting and unique website of his own. This is how the "professionals" in Switzerland finish violins, so now you know another little secret ;-).
When I was in Brienz, Switzerland learning to carve at the Schnitzlerschule there, they had a section of their school devoted to violin making. The basic final finish was beautiful, and I found out its also very simple.
Shave beeswax into a small jar, press down firmly but not hard enough to make it a wad again, and then cover it with turpentine and let it sit overnight in a warm place. In the morning you'll have a paste or thick liquid, depending on the ratio of wax to turpentine. You can adjust it by adding one or the other. I prefer a thick paste. anyway, you rub it on like any wax, and wipe it off lightly to get any thick places smoothed out. Let it sit for 24 hours, and rub it out again, hard until its shiny. Do it again twice, same time interval, and then polish it smooth.
It may take some work, but its the best final finish I ever ran across. Ideally you would re-wax it about once a month for a few months, and then once a year to bring out the shine again. It gets better each time, and it'll take the three initial coats to look right.
Check out the previous tool tips to get more useful and timely carving and tool tips.
Next month's tool tip: There is more than just one use for a wood burner.
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