Search found 4738 matches

by Allen
Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:25 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Laser engravers
Replies: 5
Views: 450

Re: Laser engravers

I've had a 40W Epilog for 12 years. First up, don't bother with trying to engrave or cut any Ebony. Simply won't happen especially with just 5W. At that power output you will only have success at engraving in lighter color softwood in a single pass. It will take multiple passes to do any cutting at ...
by Allen
Tue Jun 27, 2023 5:40 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Mirotone 3220 buffing
Replies: 5
Views: 20050

Re: Mirotone 3220 buffing

3M and Autoglym are also excellent buffing products. 3M range is huge so it might take some research into the best option.
by Allen
Fri Jun 09, 2023 5:24 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts
Replies: 9
Views: 18086

Re: Warning - Border Control have shifted the goal posts

I'm on several forums with full time luthiers all over the world and see similar tales with them dealing with their bureaucracy becoming more over the top and onerous to navigate......and expensive in time and fees. Common consensus is that for pain free shipping experience keeping the declared valu...
by Allen
Fri Apr 07, 2023 5:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Pore fill question
Replies: 21
Views: 33102

Re: Pore fill question

Absolutely every thing you could think of has been tried as a pore filler. And I have tried a fair number of them. Nothing new under the sun. It comes down to what you want to accomplish, how much time you are willing to devote to it, and what are your expectations such as clarity, sink back or movi...
by Allen
Mon Apr 03, 2023 5:22 am
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Candle Jig for Top / Back Joining
Replies: 10
Views: 21777

Re: Candle Jig for Top / Back Joining

I got that one at JayCar. If you are not in Australia a Electronics store, or I suppose Amazon. Though the later option was more expensive than the one I purchased.
by Allen
Mon Mar 27, 2023 7:11 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Timber Species for Tenor Ukelele Tops
Replies: 5
Views: 5514

Re: Timber Species for Tenor Ukelele Tops

Folk instruments such as Ukuleles have use of many more options for soundboards. Most were not particularly difficult or expensive to source for where the instrument was built. So mahogany, koa, mango in Hawaii are traditional for body and soundboard. Australia has heaps of local timbers that the re...
by Allen
Sat Mar 11, 2023 6:47 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Pore fill question
Replies: 21
Views: 33102

Re: Pore fill question

I switched to BoteCote epoxy with no-yellowing hardner years ago. Always add their TPRDA thinning additive. Living in Cairns it is dead easy to mix and is very thin going on even in what you could call our "Winter". Always gets 3 sessions for all timbers and 4 for the odd one that has enormous pores...
by Allen
Fri Feb 17, 2023 4:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Goings on in the workshop
Replies: 15
Views: 15289

Re: Goings on in the workshop

Been working on how to switch to laminated back and sides for a while now. The way most accomplish this using the outside mould to do the sides was just a royal PITA far too prone to poor glue up if you didn't get the clamps / cauls just so. Especially difficult on the very tight curves on small uku...
by Allen
Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:31 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - Fret Tang Filer
Replies: 2
Views: 3020

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - Fret Tang Filer

I've been using this tool for several years now and it does everything it's suppose to. Clean, fast and accurate. Couldn't ask for more.
by Allen
Wed Jan 04, 2023 7:16 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - CNC and Lutherie
Replies: 5
Views: 6331

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour video - CNC and Lutherie

When I decided I wanted to be a full time builder I had been doing some time / process testing to work out where I could save time, increase accuracy etc. to be more productive so it would be possible to replace the income from the day job. Didn't take long to come up with a list of huge time waster...
by Allen
Wed Dec 14, 2022 7:18 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Carbon Fibre Rods for Acoustic Guitar Neck
Replies: 4
Views: 4438

Re: Carbon Fibre Rods for Acoustic Guitar Neck

The 4X6mm rods that are linked are the ones I've been using for 10 years.
by Allen
Wed Dec 07, 2022 6:23 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Frets causing back bow
Replies: 8
Views: 11254

Re: Frets causing back bow

I use the standard width tang fret wire and had used the SM 0.023" fret saw until I changed to doing slots on my CNC. When my fret slots were cut straight through on the table saw my fret boards always had a back bow. When I switched to blind fret slots (similar to a bound fret board) my fret boards...
by Allen
Tue Nov 22, 2022 6:42 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill
Replies: 8
Views: 5966

Re: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill

No, the finish does not replace pore filling.

You still need to get that right if you want a a mirror like finish.
by Allen
Sun Nov 13, 2022 7:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill
Replies: 8
Views: 5966

Re: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill

All these products are the premium ones in their line. Most expensive as well, but I've simply never come across a product that is even close to how good they are on timber. Switching to them has taken a minimum 4 weeks off my finishing schedule over Nitro, and the finish quality can't even be compa...
by Allen
Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:00 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill
Replies: 8
Views: 5966

Re: Has anyone used Mirotone 3220 over CA glue grain fill

Been years since I've used 3220 but yes, it did work when I did. Though it's only in the pores and not a coating on the surface. I used CA on my head plate veneers to do quick fill before engraving and inlaying. On everything else I use Epoxy and there is no issues at all. I use Mirotone polyurethan...
by Allen
Fri Nov 11, 2022 6:56 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Making a Neapolitan Mandolin in Naples - November 2022
Replies: 12
Views: 9055

Re: Making a Neapolitan Mandolin in Naples - November 2022

Fascinating process. Love seeing the progress.

To order photo's the way you want, you have to insert them by picking the one you want in the list of phot's and inserting the code. Otherwise the software uses a default that never is in the correct order for me at least.
by Allen
Sun Nov 06, 2022 10:40 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Koa Soprano with Frangipani Inlay
Replies: 2
Views: 11513

Re: Koa Soprano with Frangipani Inlay

Haven't numbered them but going by my commision list and a rough guess of how many spec ones, it's well over 500. Then another 150 for uke building classes that I ran.
by Allen
Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:46 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Koa Soprano with Frangipani Inlay
Replies: 2
Views: 11513

Koa Soprano with Frangipani Inlay

I've been asked to build quite a few soprano's the last year and orders still coming in. This one is the third I've built for this client who has a massive collection of instruments and knows what she likes in the way of sound and playability. This time she asked for Koa body for a warmer tone over ...
by Allen
Mon Oct 31, 2022 6:39 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 16016

Re: Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke

It glued as easy as any timber I've used, and bending wasn't a problem. I take my sides down to 1.7mm and just to be safe as I wasn't sure how it would bend I used some veneer softener that I got from Carbatec years ago and rarely use. Pore filling was about as easy as you can get as they are small ...
by Allen
Sat Oct 29, 2022 7:11 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 16016

Re: Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke

No not Macassar. I have a heap of that on my shelves. It's often called Black and White Ebony. To be honest I have no idea where it comes from, but it sure can be pretty.
by Allen
Sat Oct 29, 2022 5:30 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 16016

Mun Ebony - Ancient Sitka Tenor Uke

Just finished another lot of instruments. This one of two for a client that has commisioned instruments in low G and high G versions. It's a 18.5" scale to accomodate the 14 fret to body. First time using Mun Ebony and was pleasantly surprised at it's workability and how it finishes. Sound board is ...
by Allen
Fri Oct 28, 2022 7:52 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Miratone 3220 source
Replies: 4
Views: 3512

Re: Miratone 3220 source

You may be able to find a shop that breaks down to 1 litre sizes. My supplier in Cairns for all Mirotone products does this and has them on the shlef.
by Allen
Thu Sep 22, 2022 1:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fox Bender Problems
Replies: 7
Views: 5605

Re: Fox Bender Problems

Probably 0.7mm. Never measured it and like I said it's been around for 15 years or so.

0.3mm I think would not provide much support.
by Allen
Thu Sep 22, 2022 5:16 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fox Bender Problems
Replies: 7
Views: 5605

Re: Fox Bender Problems

I use Aluminium roofing flashing instead of stainless or spring steel. As you found out the stainless is just a PITA and spring steel rusts. Especially when you live in the wet tropics. Flattens out easily after use. I use a piece on either side of my timber. Also use a piece to back up timber when ...
by Allen
Wed Sep 07, 2022 6:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Soundboard joining
Replies: 7
Views: 5228

Re: Soundboard joining

Tape tent method is my go to for all soundboard and backs. Especially when the outer perimeter isn't straignt. Often I'll cut to body shape in order to get two instruments out of a single plate. I've joined over 500 instruments this way Simple and fast and nothing more than some sturdy masking tape ...