Making a polissior polisher
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7 April 2014 at 10:59 pm #52676
Thanks Randy. Its really easy to make one, go for it. I did try mine on a piece of pine and it worked really well. Not as well as on the harder cherry sample but still glass smooth with a nice sheen.
Here is link to more information on the polissoir:
http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/cSchwarz/z_art/Polissoir/Polissoir-01.asp8 April 2014 at 5:20 am #52958Thanks for the link Greg. There is also some info on Don William’s site, Dons Barn, where he has some links to u-tube videos where he demonstrates one and talks about the technique and soaking it with beeswax. I think it has a lot of potential for projects I’m planing, guess I’m a beeswax/linseed oil kind of guy.
Cheers
9 April 2014 at 6:35 pm #53832Ooooh, Greg. I’m a knot geek, and a woodworking one, so this is right up my beeswax alley. Thanks for posting how to make one. Like Sid, I too am an oil and wax guy, and just don’t seem to enjoy using shellac the same way Paul does. (I also deviate from Paul a little, and only use bevel-up planes. But that’s another topic for another day.) One question that I can’t find ever since I saw Don Williams’ video on the polissoir: do you use solid beeswax, or a paste?
9 April 2014 at 6:59 pm #53835Glad you like it Jonathan. As to the wax. I tried mine with solid bees wax and also with Trewax brand paste wax. Both worked equally well for me. So my assumption is that any quality wax will wok for this method. I did find the solid bees wax easier to work with though. There is more feedback from the wood while using the polisoir with the solid bees wax. I just rubbed the cake in a zig-zag pattern on the wood and went to work. The Trewax was much more slippery during the process due to the the thinner vehicle it contains.
I believe that I will mostly use the solid bees wax when using this method and I would recommend setting the tool up with molten bees wax to start with. The paste wax will tend to become powdery if applied thickly to the tip of the polissoir while the solid bees wax will remain pliable.
The “Polissior” is something every interested woodworker should be able to easily make for themselves. Thanks Greg for the exemplary instructions. I love the knot tying details. Your soft-pencil illustrational style and use of color reminds me of Aldren A. Watson as much as it does H.A.Rey.
10 April 2014 at 12:54 am #54805I could not agree more Scott. I think we can learn as much, if not more, by making/building our own tools and jigs. I hate to see something simple shown or demonstrated and then followed up with “here is where you can buy it”. I have no problem purchasing things that are beyond my facilities or capabilities though. But show me how to make it for myself then let me decide to make or buy. Thats one of the things I like about Paul’s style and methods. Anyway, that is why I post these type of things.
Also, thank you for the comparison to such very talented illustrators. I’m no where near their level, but I keep plugging away. I can’t begin to tell you how much it means to me that people find my doodles useful.
7 May 2014 at 10:48 pm #56894Don Williams explaining the polissoir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LWePTM6M7QHey Greg… I went out today and picked up a small straw broom, and after that is where my questions start as I have absolutely zero knowledge about rope or knots. The guys at Lowe’s had never heard of the “tarred nylon” that you list in your drawing. I’m guessing it’s a specialty item I would have to pick up somewhere? Is there something I can substitute? They had something called mason line and paracord (I think the paracord was too thick). Also, can I just stick with the thin cord and do the constrictor knots and leave off the larger knots you list as decorative, or do you recommend them both to hold it well?
Thanks for your help… I’m gonna try to get this thing put together. 🙂
8 May 2014 at 11:56 pm #56926Jay @jochs99 tarred nylon is sort of a specialty item. There is more info on the on my blog post. You might be able to find it in the fishing section of Wal*Mart sold as bank line. But mason line will work its just a little slick. So a couple drops of CA (super) glue will ensure that nothing slips. The turks head knots are decorative and add a little extra security. They are not absolutely necessary though. Just add a couple more constrictor knots, maybe a wrap of duct tape and call it done.
Make sure you grate your bees wax before you try to melt it. You will be forever trying to melt chances of bees wax. Use an old cheese grater or just use a knife. The smaller and thinner the better.
Hope that helps. If not, ask away.
Ok, sounds good. Thank you. I’ll try to find the tarred nylon, and I should have a rotary grater around here for the wax. I actually need to buy some bees wax too. lol
I took a look at your blog yesterday, by the way and I was impressed. Very nice work and I’ll be reading over it more later.
*edit* Called around a few places and it’s looking like the bank line may not be available around here (no surprise). I’ll probably have to get it from Amazon.
9 May 2014 at 12:59 am #56928Jay you could just as easily use a couple of shoe strings as well. It doesn’t have to be tarred nylon. It’s just that I find the tarred nylon the best all around twine for several projects.
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