Re: [Harp-L] Sealing wood comb

["Matt Rackerby" <rackerby@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I put it back in for a day or two second soak for the hell of it.  I figured if there was a little warping with the original soak, the flat sand would take care of it, then just soaked it again to make sure it is well cured for the long term.  The second soak may not be as critical.  I wiped off the oil, between comb teeth and all, then let the wood air out for a day, a final wipe and assemble.  No swelling and no problem with âsweatingâ out of the oil, but I havenât let the harps get too hot (like in a 125+ dF car interior).   They have been in 90-100 dF summer heat.

Regards,

. __,--------------------------------------._
l\.<\...........Matt Rackerby.......\>\
\ \.<)______Visalia, CA_______)>\
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...... âââââââââââââââââââââ'ââââââââââââââââ'â..


From: Larry Sandy 
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2014 5:27 AM
To: Matt Rackerby 
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Sealing wood comb

Matt, how long is your second soaking (after flat sanding)?  I have used it but never soaked for long.  Does it ever seep out, especially when it gets warm/hot?


Thanks
Lockjaw Larry



On Thursday, February 27, 2014 3:38 PM, Matt Rackerby <rackerby@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I agree, soaking something into the wood is better.  Wood cells dry up after 
the tree is cut, they are emptied of their moisture.  They expand and 
contract as moisture swells them or as they dry out and empty again. 
Covering/coating the wood to create a thin barrier of something may 
eventually fail if the barrier isn't thick or durable enough.

Try soaking wood combs in mineral oil for a week, rub off excess, and sand 
flat.  Soak again, rub off excess oil.  Works for me.

Regards,

. __,---------------------------------------._
l\.<\...........Matt Rackerby.......\>\
\ \.<)______Visalia, CA_______)>\
.\ |___[]_[]_[]_[]_[]_[]_[]_[]_[]_[]___|
...... âââââââââââââââââââââ'ââââââââââââââââ'â..
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Halchak
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 1:23 PM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Sealing wood comb

I believe that sealing a wood comb is not about what you put ON the wood but
rather what you put IN the wood.  Ideally you want something that will soak
into and be absorbed by the wood so that all the pores are sealed.  In that
regard, I have been using Shellac.  It is very easy to work with and has
been used for decades as a wood finish.  It is all natural and has been
approved by the USDA for use in foods.  In the past three years + I have
sealed over 1,500 wood combs with shellac and have had very positive
results.



Tom Halchak

www.BlueMoonHarmonicas.com

Clearwater, FL