Search found 9380 matches

by kiwigeo
Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:12 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed* (Workshop) Advice

I reckon most of the bad workshop fires involve paint thinners.
TomBicknell wrote:
Thu Jul 03, 2025 8:06 pm
Good point about the insurance, Nigel. There’s a number of fire resistant panels on the market, thankfully.
by kiwigeo
Thu Jul 03, 2025 12:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed* (Workshop) Advice

The issue here is cheap mainly Chinese made SIPs that don't meet the building code as far as inflammability rating of materials used in the SIPs. Of particular concern are panels with inflammable skins as well as internal insulating styrene that doesn't have a fire inhibitor added. Prior to construc...
by kiwigeo
Wed Jul 02, 2025 4:33 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Using Plastic Tub for humidity control
Replies: 4
Views: 192

Re: Using Plastic Tub for humidity control

Its my understanding that an instrument drying out is generally worse than having it take on a bit of moisture. For that reason you try and build at a RH that is lower than that of the final destination of the instrument. 30-40% was always my target humidity here in The Adelaide Hills. As I understa...
by kiwigeo
Wed Jul 02, 2025 11:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Using Plastic Tub for humidity control
Replies: 4
Views: 192

Re: Using Plastic Tub for humidity control

The cheapest and simplest dry box I ever saw was a cardboard box with an incandesant light bulb. Heat from the bulb was enough to keep the humidity at a reasonably low level.

The problem of course is finding an incandesant light bub these days.
by kiwigeo
Tue Jul 01, 2025 7:57 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Oregon myrtle and Italian spruce J45-ish build
Replies: 5
Views: 282

Re: Oregon myrtle and Italian spruce J45-ish build

Anyone with the balls to post up warts and all photos of his very first gets my full respect.

You're doing fine for a first build.....looking good.
by kiwigeo
Tue Jul 01, 2025 6:43 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed* (Workshop) Advice

I want to build it out of insulated panels - think what coolrooms are built of. The basic version is two sheets of Colorbond with 50mm of polystyrene between them for insulation, but you can get versions with PIR foam, which dramatically improves the insulation. They're self-supporting so you don't...
by kiwigeo
Tue Jul 01, 2025 3:18 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed Advice

We're using the word "shed"......a term that conjures up images of cobwebs, dust and piles of stuff you should have thrown away years ago.

Workshop is a better term....
by kiwigeo
Tue Jul 01, 2025 9:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed Advice

Wayne writes up a detailed plan complete with full scale drawings before eating breakfast each morning :D

Love the attention to detail.
by kiwigeo
Mon Jun 30, 2025 8:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Slow burn 17" archtop
Replies: 23
Views: 73770

Re: Slow burn 17" archtop

Looking good mate. Nice score with that Stanley plane.
by kiwigeo
Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:01 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Shed* (Workshop) Advice
Replies: 16
Views: 585

Re: Shed Advice

If humidity is an issue then you have a choice of controlling same in the whole shed....or isolating a small part of the shed (ie a cupboard) for humidity control at critical stages of guitar construction. I obsessed a bit about humidity here in The Adelaide Hills and started off with a dehumidifer ...
by kiwigeo
Mon Jun 30, 2025 3:37 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Backstraps
Replies: 1
Views: 204

Re: Backstraps

Had to do a double take there. Thought the thread title read "jockstraps" :shock: .
by kiwigeo
Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:38 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Englemann & flame maple archtop
Replies: 7
Views: 42131

Re: Englemann & flame maple archtop

lamanoditrento wrote:
Tue Apr 01, 2025 4:30 pm
Although I do normally know the pallet of woods I want to use.
Pallet loads of tonewood.......LOL
by kiwigeo
Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:38 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Baritone uke
Replies: 11
Views: 707

Re: Baritone uke

Nice work Wayne....a unique looking instrument with a lot of "personality".
by kiwigeo
Fri Jun 27, 2025 3:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bass uke bridge intonation
Replies: 2
Views: 957

Re: Bass uke bridge intonation

Alan McFarlen will know.
by kiwigeo
Sat Jun 21, 2025 12:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Archtop considerations and hello
Replies: 11
Views: 4972

Re: Archtop considerations and hello

malcolmw wrote:
Sat Jun 21, 2025 11:22 am
Will have to see if i can borrow it from the BGMS library. There are a few things to decide, including soudhole size and back stiffness - lots of fun!
I have a first edition of The Books up for sale on Buy and Sell.
by kiwigeo
Wed Jun 18, 2025 7:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Reliable Freight Service Adelaide to Brisbane - Recommendations?
Replies: 7
Views: 3042

Re: Reliable Freight Service Adelaide to Brisbane - Recommendations?

That's what happens when you let WAS get out of control.
by kiwigeo
Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:59 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Your experience of being a luthier in Australia/New Zealand, and moving a wood stash over there.
Replies: 6
Views: 3272

Re: Your experience of being a luthier in Australia/New Zealand, and moving a wood stash over there.

Nick wrote:
Wed Jun 18, 2025 9:25 am
Go west young man :wink: (West of NZ that is)
I think most of New Zealand is already over here in Oz..last one to leave please turn out the lights :mrgreen:
by kiwigeo
Tue Jun 17, 2025 8:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Reliable Freight Service Adelaide to Brisbane - Recommendations?
Replies: 7
Views: 3042

Re: Reliable Freight Service Adelaide to Brisbane - Recommendations?

Okay...I ended up using Pack n Save (Unley, Adelaide franchise) to freight 600kg of tonewood from Adelaide to Brisbane. The franchise is run by two lovely Iraquis..Rez and Azadeh. Rez dropped by with a van and picked up 38 cartons and took care of palletizing them before shipment to Brisbane. The wo...
by kiwigeo
Sun Jun 15, 2025 12:52 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: non guitar related topic (mostly)
Replies: 7
Views: 2837

Re: non guitar related topic (mostly)

Australia is a massive country.....you first need to key in your entry and exit points. Further planning would revolve around the latter.
by kiwigeo
Fri Jun 13, 2025 11:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop
Replies: 2
Views: 904

Re: Help Us Colour the New BGMS Workshop

Fit Indian Rosewood cladding and then go in with a pumice pore fill and french polish!!
by kiwigeo
Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:00 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: workshop diary
Replies: 2
Views: 1479

Re: workshop diary

Thanks Nigel. I love professional luthiers who openly share insights into their working day.
by kiwigeo
Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Inside a Lockey Hill Cello (c.1780)
Replies: 3
Views: 1624

Re: Inside a Lockey Hill Cello (c.1780)

During my recent new house build my house designer vetoed my suggestion we go for Gore style laminated falcate roof trusses :)

malcolmw wrote:
Tue Jun 10, 2025 5:59 pm
Isn't that wonderful! Though, my wife says no using the design for the house extension.
by kiwigeo
Mon Jun 09, 2025 5:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Archtop considerations and hello
Replies: 11
Views: 4972

Re: Archtop considerations and hello

malcolmw wrote:
Mon Jun 09, 2025 5:39 pm
I plan to build the back fairly lively to see how that contributes to the tone.
Be careful with a live back. Suggest you read up Gore and Gilet for advice on tuning of back frequency.
by kiwigeo
Mon Jun 09, 2025 8:26 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Advertising on this Forum
Replies: 0
Views: 1332

Advertising on this Forum

Over the last few weeks I have had to delete a number of posts in which relatively new members are spruiking their businesses/products. While we are open to members advertising their businesses via this forum we insist that people consult with forum admins prior to doing so. Permission will be grant...
by kiwigeo
Sun Jun 08, 2025 12:55 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Your experience of being a luthier in Australia/New Zealand, and moving a wood stash over there.
Replies: 6
Views: 3272

Re: Your experience of being a luthier in Australia/New Zealand, and moving a wood stash over there.

Just to keep things in perspective....I've just finished boxing up my tonewood Stash. 37 cartons.....540kg of wood. :)
JeffHGW wrote:
Sun Jun 08, 2025 7:27 am
So far I've got roughly 30 back and sides sets, 20 tops, plus some fretboards, neck wood, and other bits and pieces. It's not a small amount.