Tack cloth

[John Saxton]

I know that I have seen somewhere an idea whereby you can make up your own tack cloth but for the moment I can't recall where it was that I saw it.
Does anyone have an idea how to make up your own tack cloth(s)and the solution required to do so?
Cheers

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Johnno

[Shane Watson]

Geez Johnno, I have a couple of different recipes around here somewhere, But do you think I can find them..

I know alot of old timers used to use the product they were polishing with. Example, if they were finishing with say spirit varnish they would wet a rag with turps and add some varnish and let it dry till it got tacky. But thats a little harsh I reakon.

Another one I have here (somewhere ) involves bees wax and stuff.

But I reakon the commercially available ones are the go. Just my opinion though. They are reasonably cheap and last for a long time if stored correctly.

I will look some more but I think they are lost for ever.

HTH...

Cheers....

[ubeaut]

G'day Johnno

This is straight from the recipes section of "A Polishers Handbook"

TACK RAG
Mix 1 part raw linseed oil, with 3 parts spar varnish. Get a clean piece of cotton gauze 12 to 18 inches square and soak it in the varnish mix. Ring out as much moisture as possible then place between 2 pieces of butchers paper or blotting paper and squeeze out excess moisture. The rag should now be just slightly damp and when pressed onto paper should not leave a wet mark. If so fold 4 to 5 times and store in a sandwich size or smaller plastic ziplock bag with all the air removed.

SUBSTITUTE: You will probably have to substitute polyurethane for spar varnish in the tack rag recipe and any other recipe that you come across that calls for spar varnish.

Hope it helps mate.

Cheers - Neil

[John Saxton]

Thanks Shane & Neil,I guess I'll get busy and get some made up......now where did I put that cheesecloth I had! Mmm might have to spend some time lookin' for that... it's around here somewhere!
I wonder if most woodworkers are as disorganised as me,ha ha ha I'd put money on it.
Cheers

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Johnno

[ubeaut]

Disorganised - DISLEXIC ....... the recipe calls for cotton gauze Johnno, not bloody cheesecloth. Strewth! Ya ask fer help and then ya gets it wrong. Don't blame me when it doesn't work.

Save the cheesecloth for next years Christmas pud.

[John Saxton]

Crikey mate talk about bein' bloody picky...whats wrong with an old cotton shirt if me cheesecloth won't do??
Besides where does you get them gauzes you wuz talkin' bout?
Altzeimers had to go visit me when I was respondin'to your post Neil ...does this preclude me from my cup of coffee if you're doin' the Perth thing this year?
Cheers

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Johnno

[ubeaut]

Johnno

Buy the cotton gauze from a chemist, gauze is the very, very, very, open weave material that is used as a dressing under bandages. And NO an old shirt or cheesecloth won't do. It has to be gause to work properly.

READ THIS CAREFULLY
The properties of the gause allow for greater dust collection and will not allow the varnish/oil mix to be transfered to the timber. But more importantly it won't spontaniously combust like the close weave materials will more than likely do.

There is a definite method in my madness. I don't want to be the one who is responsible for burning your workshop to the ground.

If kept in a snap-lock plastic bag with the air removed, your tac rag could last for many months to a number of years. So spending a couple of dollars on some cotton gause will be a pretty good investment. Buy it in a roll or as big as possible rather than as small individual dressing pads.

I am affraid that there will be no trip to Perth this year so you will have to save up the coffee urge for the trip to Melb.

Cheers - Neil

[ubeaut]

Johnno - Went to the chemist today and purchased a pack of gauze 90cm x 2.5mt for $12. This is enough to make at least 10 really good sized tac rags.

You can't go too far wrong at that price.

Cheers - Neil

[John Saxton]

Ta Neil,for your expose' on the reason behind using gauze.
I am aware of the combustible nature of some of the finishes I use and generally put any cloth I use on the cloths-line over night to air and dry before disposing of them.
I suppose Melbourne's gotta be the go to get a cup of coffee this year and as I'll be on me way back from the land of the long white sheep herders I'll be lookin' for a decent cup o' coffee by then!
By the way whats wrong with Perth this year?,have you spent all your dough movin' to new premises that you can't afford another trip across the Nullabor?
Cheers

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Johnno

[Shane Watson]

Ok, just for comparisons sake!

Last time I brought a box of Tack Rags it cost me $15. I got 12 in the box. So just slightly more expensive than buying the gauze. and theres no mess no fuss. And they seem to last for ages in my airtight container. Hell, I can't remember the last time I broke a new one out...

BUT making your own will certainly leave a fuzzy feeling! Going to the local store and buying em won't! But ya never know....

Not trying to state an opinion here, just adding to the options, or is that confussion...

Hey Johnno, when you going to chase sheep in the Land of the Long White Woolley Sheep? I head over there next weekend for a month. Bout time I spent some time swearing at fish rather than furniture! Will keep me eye out for any decent wood galleries for ya! I know of one in Hokitika, west coast Sth Is. But can't remember the name etc....

Cheers!!

[John Saxton]

Hey Shane,heading over in September coming back in October but spending most of the time in the South Island so will look out for your gallery.
Cheers

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Johnno

[John Saxton]

I guess there's no point in asking Shane any questions for a while.
In fact he's probably feelin' quite sheepish right now.I wonder what size gumboots he wears?
Cheers and have a good holiday Shane if you have an ear on cyber contacts.

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Johnno

[Shane Watson]

I will tell you about this while I am thinking of it Johnno or I will forget by the time I get home...

But if your in Christchurch while your here, on a weekend check out the Arts Centre. ITs near the main CBD and they have weekend markets and there is quite a few stalls with some great looking WW and turnings etc.. And the Arts Centre itself has some great galleries inside. Well worth a look. Its actually am old university and is now used for arts. All the old classrooms are used as galleries for various arts....

Anyway make note of it if you want and check it out when you get here!!

Will fill you in on all the good places when I get home...

Cheers

Shane!!

[John Saxton]

Cheers Shane and thanx for that ..... I hope the gumgoots are in plentiful supply across the ditch.

We're plannin' on bein' there for about a month fishin' and just playin' up f... the consideration of plastic ...this has been put aside for a time now.

Trust you're enjoying your trip with some 3-4 pounder trout gracing your evening table!!

Cheers



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Johnno

[ubeaut]

C'mon guys use your email.