I like shellac. It is a durable and versatile finish. It can be sprayed, brushed, or wiped on and used as a topcoat, sealer, or barrier between disparate finishes. If you’ve never tried shellac, consider getting a small sample kit, now available from Ron Hock, known for his plane blades.

A Hock shellac kit consists of enough shellac flakes and denatured alcohol to mix up a 9.5-oz. batch, just enough finish for a small project. A brochure includes a bit of shellac history and directions for applying the product (brush, pad, or spray). Hock sells both blond (light-colored) and orange (darker) shellac.

Why buy unmixed when you can purchase ready-mixed at the home center? Premixed shellac is usually available only in orange and has a short useful life span. Shellac loses its water resistance and drying ability over time. Mixing fresh shellac from flakes guarantees good performance of the product.

The kit is a somewhat expensive way to buy shellac, but it offers a convenient, informative, and well-packaged introduction to using the finish. The product is available from Woodcraft (800-225-1153) or from Hock (888-282-5233).

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Blackwing Pencils

If you've listened to Shop Talk Live, you've heard them talk more about these pencils than you could possibly imagine.

Buy at Amazon

Veritas Micro-Adjust Wheel Marking Gauge

The adjuster runs through the beam from a small knob at the back end right to the cutting wheel, which moves in and out as you turn the knob. This arrangement works well but makes adjustments a two-handed operation, requiring a little more effort.

Buy at Lee Valley

3M Blue Tape

One of the most versatile accessories to have in the shop: from layout to seaming veneer. It has enough stretch to pull joints together.

Buy at Amazon