Search found 246 matches
- Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:55 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Backstrap tutorial
- Replies: 2
- Views: 185
- Fri Jul 04, 2025 9:29 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Backstrap tutorial
- Replies: 2
- Views: 185
Backstrap tutorial
Folks, I've a tutorial on video streaming up on my website. It'a one you pay for, sorry it's not free, but I have to make a living etc... Its priced around half of what I charge for a private lesson, and it's pretty densely packed with information. 3 methods, first uses hand tools and a bandsaw, the...
- Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:18 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
- Replies: 16
- Views: 770
Re: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
You might want to ask your insurer about what effect building with SIPs might have on your insurance. Some really don't like them.
- Mon Jun 30, 2025 7:18 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
- Replies: 16
- Views: 770
Re: Shed Advice
Depends on how much time and money you want to spend. If you can, insulate and seal the whole thing, buy a really good dehumidifier like a Thorair. For a smaller cheaper unit, I've heard good things about the Midea Cube. At the least, make a small room you can get a gobar deck in, along with whateve...
- Mon Jun 30, 2025 1:00 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Backstraps
- Replies: 1
- Views: 318
Backstraps
In the next week I'll be releasing a new video. It has taken a lot of work to put together.
You can learn about it here:
youtu.be/CX60lMZxJ0A
It'll be for sale in a few days.
You can learn about it here:
youtu.be/CX60lMZxJ0A
It'll be for sale in a few days.
- Thu Jun 12, 2025 8:17 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: workshop diary
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1665
workshop diary
Been posting short videos over on Facecrack and Instagram. Not instructional, more just a record of how I work. Take a look, happy to answer questions. Click "Load more" at the foot of the page as there are about 20 so far.
https://nkforsterguitars.com/workshop-diary/
https://nkforsterguitars.com/workshop-diary/
- Sat Dec 14, 2024 8:56 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Neck bolt drilling jig
- Replies: 13
- Views: 31153
Re: Neck bolt drilling jig
To cut the mortise and drill the holes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv_L_iLg2y3/
To transfer the holes:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-6mm-d ... k_p0466327
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv_L_iLg2y3/
To transfer the holes:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-6mm-d ... k_p0466327
- Tue Nov 26, 2024 1:35 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Pore fill question
- Replies: 39
- Views: 188611
Re: Pore fill question
A question to both Nigel and Allen: Do you have any concerns regarding the longevity of CA as a finish? I ask because I finished an internal door knob with CA over a year ago, it gets handled multiple times a day and the finish is holding up fine. On the other hand, at the same time, I finished ano...
- Sun Oct 27, 2024 9:10 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Pore fill question
- Replies: 39
- Views: 188611
Re: Pore fill question
A question to both Nigel and Allen: Do you have any concerns regarding the longevity of CA as a finish? I ask because I finished an internal door knob with CA over a year ago, it gets handled multiple times a day and the finish is holding up fine. On the other hand, at the same time, I finished ano...
- Thu Oct 24, 2024 9:10 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Pore fill question
- Replies: 39
- Views: 188611
Re: Pore fill question
I've been using a very simple and effective pore fill for the last few months. Prior I was using epoxy. It worked, but it took longer than I liked. 1) Having sanded to 320 grit, seal the back, sides and neck with thin superglue. I use Starbond heavy Thin, though the fumes are foul. Make sure you're ...
- Thu Oct 17, 2024 10:57 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Jarrah
- Replies: 1
- Views: 14894
- Sun Dec 10, 2023 12:53 pm
- Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
- Topic: twin side bender
- Replies: 1
- Views: 32166
twin side bender
Don't know if I've posted about this, but a while ago I realised I could bend a side in not much more time than I could put one in a machine, so I thought it a good idea to make a bender that could handle a pair of sides at once. I based the design on the Mike Doolin machine where the slats are unde...
- Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:53 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Guitar Cases
- Replies: 35
- Views: 101372
Re: Guitar Cases
There really isn't any money in making cases which is why no one wants to do it. For a while I couldn't source cases for my Big Celtic mandolins, so had to buy heavy duty rifle cases. The inside foam was laser cut and my wife would cut and stitch fabric to cover the foam. They were pretty expensive....
- Mon Oct 30, 2023 5:58 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Slotting boards
- Replies: 6
- Views: 19125
Re: Slotting boards
I swapped the washer for two smaller ones, but the idea is the same.
Here it is working:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyziHrUSGvK/
Here it is working:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CyziHrUSGvK/
- Sat Sep 30, 2023 7:45 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Slotting boards
- Replies: 6
- Views: 19125
Re: Slotting boards
Hi, that's a nifty-looking setup, how is fret spacing arrived at? I suppose you could make kerfing on that too. Taff Same as most other slotting set ups. With a template and a pin. You could make kerfing but there are better ways. You'd need a wider blade than 0.6mm too. I like jigs that are more a...
- Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:02 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Slotting boards
- Replies: 6
- Views: 19125
Slotting boards
I've not slotted a board for years. Ebony dust was really doing me in so about 10 years ago I shipped all by fretboards to a lad who slotted them and radiused the lot on his cnc for a very reasonable price. But I'm starting to get to the end of that batch. I've also been using LMI for their slotting...
- Tue Jun 13, 2023 4:36 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts
- Replies: 9
- Views: 29100
Re: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts
Weird, i send overseas through pack and send (who then use DHL in most cases). Never had to jump through any hoops. Last instrument was valued and insured at $9750 aud. I used to self insure, but swapped to trusting PnS' insurance. I didn't know PackSend insured up to that sort of amount, I'll take...
- Sat Apr 29, 2023 10:26 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: semi hemispherical fretting
- Replies: 6
- Views: 29261
Re: semi hemispherical fretting
No idea. I thought Harry Fleishman came up with it. Least he told me he did.
- Fri Apr 28, 2023 2:35 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: semi hemispherical fretting
- Replies: 6
- Views: 29261
semi hemispherical fretting
Posted a video a couple of days ago talking about the ins and outs of semi hemispherical fretting.
youtu.be/fSLqg1elLF0
There are timestamps in the description so you can find the bits you need.
youtu.be/fSLqg1elLF0
There are timestamps in the description so you can find the bits you need.
- Mon Mar 27, 2023 11:52 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Marketing and money
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5242
Marketing and money
Lads, Robbie O'Brien and I had a chat the other day about my new ebook. The Video is up on YouTube:
youtu.be/TQ8wVMHIgxk
youtu.be/TQ8wVMHIgxk
- Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:12 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Heelless neck joint
- Replies: 8
- Views: 16558
Re: Heelless neck joint
My archtops have an unusual "long neck" design but there is no reason why you couldn't make this a normal length neck and attach it as I do - with 4 bolts and inserts. A round neck into a round mortise. https://www.nkforsterguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Charlie-maple-back.jpeg https://www.n...
- Sat Nov 26, 2022 12:32 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: John Miner's quick neck reset
- Replies: 6
- Views: 12737
Re: John Miner's quick neck reset
Wouldn't adjustment of the bolt on heel cheeks also necessitate adjustment of the bolt down tenon to avoid a hump where neck meets body? For the record I'm not fully convinced from just watching the video....not convinced enough to try it myself. Seems to be quite a few people who have tried his me...
- Thu Nov 24, 2022 8:16 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: John Miner's quick neck reset
- Replies: 6
- Views: 12737
Re: John Miner's quick neck reset
Seems to be quite a few people who have tried his method and had success. Not sure how you'd go with a well braced upper bout or a Gore style instrument with a substantial neck block and bolt down mortise. If it was a Gore style bolt on neck, you would take the neck off, adjust the heel cheeks and ...
- Wed Sep 07, 2022 7:24 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Soundboard joining
- Replies: 7
- Views: 9711
Re: Soundboard joining
I think what Peter is worried about is how to get clamping pressure pushing in from the edges - to get the centre join together. If the outside edges are straight you can use some sort of straight edge to push against, but maybe he is wondering how to do that if the outer edges are already cut with...
- Wed Aug 24, 2022 1:03 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Ziricote splitting
- Replies: 7
- Views: 12209
Re: Ziricote splitting
Ziricote splits. It's known in the trade as "Mexican crack wood." The best plan is not to use it. It cracks. If you do use it, you can do as I do and only use it in veneer form. I then cross laminate it for stability. But as a beginner, this might not be the best way. It just complicates things. htt...