Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
65
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
THE RAVAGES OF TROPICAL ANTS
THE SHELLAC QUESTION
Piano Manufacturers Doing an Export Trade
Will Find This Subject an Interesting One
Shellac Containing Rosin Will Not Dissolve As
It Should—Some Hints for Piano Workers
Who Find Difficulties Along This Line
Periodically we hear stories about the rav-
ages of ants in connection with woodwork
shipped to some of the Latin-American countries.
The metal furniture people have made good use
of these stories in promoting the sale of metal
furniture, and the white ant problem was one
mentioned by Robert E. Simmons in an ad-
dress on veneers in South America, at the recent
meeting of veneer and panel manufacturers. He
says the ants eat up every article of wood that
comes their way, including furniture, houses,
bridges, cross-ties, etc.
There is no questioning the fact that ants do
violence to wood in some parts of the tropics.
There is a question involved here, however,
which we should seek a solution for, and that is
the question of rinding a wood that will resist
the ants or developing a method of treatment
that will render wood proof against the attacks
of these insects.
As to various woods, a state forester, in an ad-
dress before a gathering of architects recently,
said that at Panama there were found some ties
in a good state of preservation that were put
down a good many years ago. These were of
lignumvitae, and serve to show that some woods
will resist decay and ravages of insects, and it is
possible we may discover some species in our
cabinet woods that will do the same.
It is more likely, however, that the best results
along this line will be obtained through research
work to develop a species of chemical treatment
or outer coating or finish for furniture or other
woodwork that will render it proof from these
insects. It would seem much better to spend
some time and money in experiment with this
end in view than simply admit that ants do dam-
age and refrain from trying to develop a trade
because of this difficulty.
PIANO PLATES
Made by
Plate Makers Who Know
for
Piano Makers Who Know
Matawan Steel and Iron Co.
Matawan
New Jersey
Agreeing that alcohol will cut or dissolve gum
shellac, the only question is, what is wrong when
a certain lot of alleged shellac fails to submit
to this cutting action of the alcohol? It is well
known, of course, that the finer the shellac is
pulverized the easier it is for the alcohol to act,
but if the shellac contains any rosin—and a lot
of it does—no matter how finely pulverized it
may be, it will not dissolve right. That is to
say, the rosin will dissolve first, and the result
will be a gum at the bottom.
As to its quality, if it is dirty and bad, don't
use it. It is not at all difficult to buy per-
fectly clean shellac. Get the brown shellac that
comes in thin flakes, use wood or grain alcohol
—never use denatured alcohol. Of course, it
will require an occasional shaking, and when
dissolved in an agitator, as when large quantities
are wanted, there is no setting of the gum. But
even when it does settle, it is not a hard thing
to get it mixed with the alcohol. No, it is the
rosin shellac that is difficult or impossible to
mix.
As to denatured alcohol, it will cut shellac
when its denaturant is wood alcohol, but if it is
a hydrocarbon, then it will not properly dissolve
the shellac. The manufacturers have a special
permit for denaturing alcohol for use in var-
nishes, etc., but when we go to the store to buy
denatured alcohol we do not get the kind suit-
able for use with shellac.
Another possible trouble with shellac may
arise from trying to dissolve too large a quan-
tity with the amount of liquid used. Where a
large amount of gum is to be cut there will be
trouble unless the proper apparatus is used for
the mixing. In very many cases it will be found
best to buy the shellac in liquid form, ready for
use, and buying from a responsible party. Just
now shellac is high and scarce, owing to the diffi-
culty of getting it from abroad. Hence there
will be added temptation for sophisticating the
gum. Look out for this adulteration more than
ever, as it is liable to be encountered frequently
in these times of scarce supplies and consequent
high prices.
A good way to pulverize gum shellac, accord-
ing to Ashmun A. Kelly, writing in Veneers,
where the quantity is rather small, is to place it
And when you're satisfied
that we've the best punch-
ings on the market, cut
clean and accurately from
the best of material in cellu-
loid, cloth, felt, fibre,
leather, paper, rubber or
whatever you want, give
us credit and send your
orders to
CF. GOEPELAVCO
137 E A S T I3 T -* ST.
NEW YORK
in a strong bag and hammer it. White or
bleached shellac can be bought ready granu-
lated. Tt is not so much used as the brown or
orange color. It is also more likely to be adul-
terated, and often contains water, which makes
it difficult to dissolve.
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions
of any kind.
The Ohio Veneer Co.
CINCINNATI, O.
Importers and Manufacturers of Figured
Mahogany and Foreign Woods for high*
grade piano cases and cabinets.
m
N*w York Office and Samplm Room
Grand Central Palace Bid*.
Lexington Kw: and 46th St.
G. H. VAUGHAN. Eastern Representative
T H E COMSTOCK, CHENEY & CO.,
1V0RYT0N C0NN
^MANUFACTURERS:
'
-
Piano-forte Ivory Keys, Actions and Hammers,
Ivory and Composition Covered Organ Keys
GRUBB & KO8EGARTEN BROS.
Manufacturer* ot HIGH GRADE
PIANO-FORTE ACTIONS
NASSAU. Rensselaer County. N. Y.
THE STANDARD CO., T0R c R S T011
Established 1853
SYLVESTER TOWER CO.
Tower* Above
All Other*
Manufacturer.
G r a n d a n d Upright Piano-forte Actions SSt
Keys, Actions, Hammers. Brackets and Nickel Rail Furnished Complete
131 to 147 Broadway
.
.
.
CAMBRIDGEPORT, MASS.
WESSELL, NICKEL & GROSS
MANUFACTURERS
OF
Manufacturers of a
Complete Line of Piano Action Hardware
Bras* Flanges, Damper Rods, Special Capstan Screws,
Bracket and Ball Bolts. Key Pins, Regulating Brackets
and Specialties.
PIANO
HIGHEST GRADE
WHITE, SON COMPANY
Manufacturers
ORGAN AND PLAYER-PIANO LEATHERS
530-540 ATLANTIC AVENUE
ACTIONS
WksSELLf
OFFICE
457 WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
HEW YORK.
ONE GRADE ONLY
MARK.
FACTORIES—WEST FORTY-FIFTH ST.
Twta ATCBM ami West Fwty-Sixtfc Street
NEW YORK
BOSTON. MASS.
A. C. CHENEY PIANO ACTION CO.
«i j PNEUMATIC ACTIONS FOR PLAYER-PIANOS
oi -j HIGH-GRADE PIANOFORTE ACTIONS
CASTLETON, NEW YORK