On 16 Jul 00, at 22:36, Matthew Groves wrote:


> 
> I think I heard that alcohol will dissolve shellac, but not varnish or poly.
> That mineral spirits will dissolve both varnish and shellac, but not poly.

This is slightly off the topic of IDing a finish, but in terms of 
dissolving and thinning chemicals, Bob Flexner had an Article 
called "Understanding Solvents and Thinners" in the April issue of 
Woodwork magazine. It includes a nice table titled "what dissolves 
and thins what". Highly informative, and probably worth trying to get 
hold of a copy if you can.

Based on that table, alcohol dissolves shellac (well, we all knew 
that - I buy the stuff by the gallon these days) and thins shellac 
and lacquer. Mineral spirits dissolves wax and thins wax, oil, 
varnish, and poly. 

Someone recently asked for magazine recommendations (other 
than FWW) and Woodwork would be mine, although the latest 
issue is full of p*w*r tool articles for some strange reason. It's 
usually much more galootish.

Ken, hoping this is not a trend.

Ken Greenberg
IT #321; Blue Galoot #82
400 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos, CA 95032
http://www.calast.com/ken/Personal/wood.htm