Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Handy hint: I found it worthwhile to buy two syringes from local chemists...cheap...10ml and 3ml for the resin and hardener. Find two small jam jars, height more than the length of the syringes. Cut holes in the lids, dia to suit syringes. No need to clean out syringes, just put them in hanging on ...

Thanks all for your expert advice! I really appreciate your input!

I'm looking at Bote Cote very closely. I like the low VOC and 2:1 mix ratio.

Hi everyone. After reading and re-reading the soundboard and brace design sections of "the books", I've reluctantly come around to the idea of epoxy and CF for the braces. I'm a CF and epoxy newbie. I've searched the forum for suppliers of CF tow and thanks to Martin for this link: http://carbonfibe...

Here's some pictures of a vacuum clamp I made. Frame is 19mm MDF. Silicon membrane is a 2mm or 3mm silicon cutting mat I bought from an art supply store. Sandwiched together with silicon sealant. The vacuum generator, tubing and compressor connections are from guitartemplates.com.au (A local Brisban...

Trent... nice work! I *love* the cutaway. Venetian and Florentine styles combined! I might have to steal that idea. It looks like you didn't use carbon fiber in your bracing, but still hit the "ideal" bridge rotation angle. Can you please walk through the basics of how you did this? I'm re-reading "...

Hi all,

I've been through the Guitar Plans section, but I couldn't find any live links to free 12 fret steel string plans. Does anyone know of available and free plans for such a thing online?

Thanks in advance

Beautiful!

I like that! Thanks for the link. A quick google search gave me this result: https://www.instructables.com/Cleaning-Off-Pitch-Resin-From-Router-Bits-and-Saw-/ for a cheaper blade cleaner solution. As a homebrewer, I have PBW on hand all the time. Most homebrew places will have the 5 Star stuff or th...

Nice! Love the rosette. I might steal that idea!

Did you build it to a plan?

That's a sexy looking guitar!

Belated happy new year!

Hopefully, I start *and finish* a guitar!

I did a bit of research into shellac this year. Problem: Shellac flakes that won't dissolve, or dissolves into gloopy mess, or won't dry hard. Cause: Oxidised shellac flakes. This is especially a problem for de-waxed shellac, it appears the natural wax in shellac slows the rate of oxidation. Solutio...

I spent some time today cleaning up the shed and I discovered some wood I could possibly use for guitars. I'm wondering if anyone has used these species before? White Ash . https://www.wood-database.com/white-ash/ I've got a 78mm x 78mm x 1000mm piece I could resaw for some neck blanks and heel bloc...

Thanks Dave. I just found this Instructables page; https://www.instructables.com/Lathe-Drum-Sander/ Uses thick wall PVC pipe for the drum. I wonder how this would work out over time? The table system looks pretty good though. I'm considering MDF or plywood for the drum. But the PVC idea has some app...

Thanks for the pic and description Dave. Would you mind running through how you made the drum itself? How do you have the drum securely connected to the lathe? How do you secure the table assembly to the bed? I plan on building a larger table so I can run tops, backs, neck blanks, etc through it. Th...

Rather than contaminate the other drum sander topic, I thought I'd start a new thread for this off-shoot. I don't have a drum sander. I've been thinking of making a lathe based sander for a while now. I was gifted an old belt driven long bed lathe a while ago. I'm not into turning, and I was going t...

Anyone built a falcate braced guitar without the carbon fiber or epoxy? If so, how did it go? I ask because; 1. a well executed titebond joint is stronger than the surrounding timber, so is stronger glue even worth it? 2. there is more faffing about with CF, and I enjoy not faffing about whenever po...

Just a quick update. I emailed the guys at Alaska Specialty Woods, and discovered that I could get packages delivered to the Air Force Base I'm deployed to. Brent answered my delivery question quickly, and once I place the order for 6 tops (2A light curl or quilt Sitka, and 2A WRC) and brace wood it...

Would love to see some pics Mr. TallDad if you don't mind. I could do with a gadget like this. I tried the g-string trick and I wasn't happy. The intonator is designed for straight pin patterns and works beautifully. I take a photo of the finish positions and translate this to my saddle. I didn’t bu...

Thanks for the input guys. According to Google Maps, Prince of Wales Island is a 38hr drive from Eielson Air Force Base... Was hoping for something a little closer than that. Unsure if I can get stuff posted to me at this Base.

I'm heading to Alaska for work. Does anyone know of some reputable tonewood suppliers up that way? I might be able to bring back a small package of top sets for my future humble building efforts.

I have the 2nd edition. Both 11.2.5.2 and the plan have 1.5mm listed as the bridge plate thickness.

Well, it's been a long time coming but I'm finally finished my first build. It's an OM style; King Billy top, Alpine Ash back and sides, QLD Maple neck, Gidgee fretboard and bridge. What began many years ago as a full scale drawing, progressed slowly through jig making, detoured briefly into tube am...

I've recently used Solarez "I can't believe its not laquer!" for pore filling. I cured it in the sun. It cures fast, cures hard. Sands easily, but it also can be easily pulled out of the pores too. If I could apply it smoothly enough it would be a good finish since it's clear and glossy. I might try...