[Harp-L] Sealing wood combs

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I use a water-based stain on the back and sides, then salad bowl finish. I wouldn't want to use a shellac that's not food grade. Also, when you put the finish on, the first coat needs to be really light,  you run the risk of warping if you don't. Actually, all the coats should be pretty light. 
  Whenever I've talked about my beeswaxing days, somebody always said somebody's gonna get killed doing this, so I'll start off with this disclaimer, hot beeswax is like napalm when it contacts the skin. They also say use a double boiler. Working with hot beeswax is dangerous. 
  I used to get the beeswax just hot enough to melt and just deep enough to where when I laid a comb on its side, the top side was just out of the wax. I'd use a fork or a little spatula to flip the comb after it had set in there about a minute, let that side stay in the wax for another minute, then stand the comb up with the teeth up, that way the excess wax drains to the bottom where it's easier to scrape off. Let it stand until cool to the touch, but the wax is still soft, scrape off the excess and you're in business. Let it cool down completely before putting a reedplate on it,
   
  Dave
  _________________
  Dave Payne Sr. 
  Elk River Harmonicas 
  www.elkriverharmonicas.com