Ok...I think I have experimented enough with this stuff so it's time to reveal the recipe. I first started using straight Shellac and that was too unmanageable so I moved to thinning it a tad with DNA...That helped a little but it seemed to dry too fast. So then I added BLO and that helped on the drying issue...plus it gave a richer finish. Then, last week, I was puddling around in the finishes at Sears and found some Minwax antique oil finish and after trying it a couple times, I was ready to throw it in the trash....But it had a new ingredient (Linseed Alkyd Resin) so I decided to throw that into the mix. Viola!! Just hand rub it in and it dries as you are rubbing it...evenly, smoothly...conservatively glossy. Very nice to touch.
Tablespoon of Shellac
Teaspoon of Antique Oil Finish (Clear)
Teaspoon of BLO
Teaspoon of DNA
Stir well. Dip a rag in it and rub rapidly into the wood. You can spot finish so you don't really have to do the whole thing at once. It blends perfectly.
If you're doing pens, just shut off the lathe and turn it by hand while applying the finish in a back and forth motion.
That's it. Anyone already come up with this one?