how do i make a tack cloth for use in staining/varnishing a bare wood pine shelf?

Answer 1

Why do you want to make one? I've bought them at the stores like Home Depot for about a dollar, and they are reusable if you put them back in some sort of packaging that keeps the dust off of them.

Answer 2

take a clean lint free cotton cloth and dip it in shellac.
Wring it out.
flatten it on a clean surface and let it dry a few miinutes.
When it is tacky, it is a tack cloth.
fold it over 2 or 4 times and use it lightly over the surface.
Store it in a used margarine tub (clean) with a tight fitting top.
It will stay useful for a long time.
Discard when it has attracted too much junk, and start over.

Answer 3

I wouldn't put anything wooden in my rats' cage (except chew toys and a little house I once had) because it's not worth the risk. Also shelves are an excellent idea, and should be in every rodent cage. Anyways, either purchase another cage with plastic shelves, or make your own (because I seriously doubt some one would sell just shelves).