I don't think the average homeowner or do-it-yourselfer has much use
or awareness of shellac.  I've been a restorer for many years and use
shellac regularly in my shop to finish some player components and to
coat channels to make them air tight.

Many years ago I learned shellac was made from a substance secreted
by insects in India.  I searched for information such as what the
insects look like, how big they are and how many are needed to produce
the substance secreted.

I thought it must be similar to the collection of silk thread from
silkworms in that it must take many insects and most likely poor people
took part in the industry (by the nature of the time intensive work
and probable low pay).  I couldn't imagine how insects could produce
enough of the substance used to produce the thousands of gallons of
shellac used in the piano and furniture trade during the early part of
the 20th century.  Not all furniture from the early 1900s was finished
using shellac.  Some finishes were resin based, produced from tree
resin.

Recently, Fine Woodworking Magazine published two articles by author
Vijay Velji.  The first article is about how shellac is made and the
second is about French polishing:

https://www.finewoodworking.com/item/33455/learn-how-shellac-is-made 

The YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQcQ0yuekZ0 
answered all my questions about shellac production.  It's a must to
watch for all restorers and collectors.

Mr. Vijay Velji has a web site where he sells various kinds of shellac,
http://www.shellacfinishes.com/  I have yet to fully explore his site
to find all that he has to offer.  I'm especially interested in his
French polishing supplies and techniques.

Check out the video and his web site, I'd like to hear your reactions.

Paul Manganaro

 [ A DVD about French polishing, by Vijay Velji, is described at
 [ http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/20203/french-polishing-demystified 
 [ -- Editor (Robbie)