Search found 235 matches
- Fri Nov 09, 2018 11:35 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Maple or Sycamore for purfling
- Replies: 9
- Views: 9907
Re: Maple or Sycamore for purfling
If you can find maple or sycamore veneer here, I'd be interested to how from where. But to be honest, I never use either for purflings any more. They can look nice if it goes well, but they are both more prone to getting dark dust in them and bits pulling out during scraping than fibre. "Simple and ...
- Mon Oct 29, 2018 4:19 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Question re strength of different mahoganys
- Replies: 16
- Views: 18721
Re: Question re strength of different mahoganys
Thirty years ago I wouldn't have considered any African mahogany. Now they are a little more appealing. Khaya is very nice stuff to work with, it resembles South American stuff (more so than sapele) and it comes in substantial sections. If you buy it from Spain or the UK, it's pretty cheap. I use it...
- Fri Oct 19, 2018 11:02 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: uke rope binding
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7170
- Sat Sep 29, 2018 7:30 pm
- Forum: Contemporary Acoustic Guitar Design and Build - Trevor Gore
- Topic: testing with an iPhone
- Replies: 4
- Views: 7883
testing with an iPhone
Any of you tried either of these apps:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spectru ... 78884?mt=8
or this?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ultraso ... 69926?mt=8
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spectru ... 78884?mt=8
or this?
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ultraso ... 69926?mt=8
- Tue Sep 11, 2018 8:37 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: bobbin sanders
- Replies: 11
- Views: 16023
Re: bobbin sanders
Found another - looks like a step up from the plastic bodied ones...Any users out there?
https://www.gasweld.com.au/535815-toolex
https://www.gasweld.com.au/535815-toolex
- Mon Sep 10, 2018 7:22 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: bobbin sanders
- Replies: 11
- Views: 16023
Re: bobbin sanders
That's the one I had first, it was great, but sold it when I went to Germany. For the number of instruments I make, the light one is fine. I had one for two years in Germany and never had an issue with it. It ended up with a pal as part of a deal we did. I'm just interested to know if anyone owns th...
- Mon Sep 10, 2018 3:26 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: bobbin sanders
- Replies: 11
- Views: 16023
bobbin sanders
The last sander I had was one of these: https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W843 It was ok, it did the job, not as good as the bigger machine I had before that, but it did what I needed. I've just seen this one: https://www.ebay.com.au/p/Powertec-OS1400-14-Oscillating-Spindle-Sander/10017651235?iid=25...
- Wed Aug 22, 2018 5:58 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Well, here we are, what now?!
- Replies: 20
- Views: 20728
Re: Well, here we are, what now?!
Welcome down under Nigel. If you are interested in second hand tools and equipment you should get onto Gumtree, which is a local version of a Craigslist-style online marketplace. Make a dehumidifier one of your first purchases. Lots of good local timbers for you to get to know. Many of us favour Qu...
- Wed Aug 22, 2018 1:34 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Well, here we are, what now?!
- Replies: 20
- Views: 20728
Re: Well, here we are, what now?!
Thanks fellas. What's the stuff they sell in Bunnings? I was in yesterday, and they had a dark mahogany-like board - looked like it was for decking or something, (lightly grooved one side) about 80mm x 20mm x 2000mm. This stuff looked decent and was highly figured! The display was a bit disorganised...
- Tue Aug 21, 2018 11:26 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Well, here we are, what now?!
- Replies: 20
- Views: 20728
Well, here we are, what now?!
Well, when I first visited Oz in 2013, I was really struck with the place. My daughter was living and working in Melbourne, and I travelled up to do Trevor Gore's course up in the Blue Mountains. I had a great time, and I've been thinking about moving here ever since. Well, the wife had the points t...
- Tue Aug 07, 2018 3:51 am
- Forum: The Gallery
- Topic: Odd Ball Junior
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9187
Re: Odd Ball Junior
Nigel, I hope that park bench isn't home these days.... :D Nice job, BTW! This year me and the wife have lived in quite a few places Trevor - Thailand, Sri Lanka, Oz, Japan, England, Singapore, India, Germany, and we just got back to the UK from Switzerland. It's been a nice year - apart from getti...
- Sat Aug 04, 2018 7:59 pm
- Forum: The Gallery
- Topic: Odd Ball Junior
- Replies: 4
- Views: 9187
Odd Ball Junior
It's fun doing a relic from time to time. This is the latest - an Odd Ball Junior. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1Ltx5neUa0/W2V4Y7rYdOI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/DrjYzwzsaYgGWfzeDDCHdhgUxSB7DbJsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Odd%2BBall%2BJunior%2Bfront.jpg https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xrW3ttE4qEw/W2V4Y1HZEeI/AAAAAAAAF-U/CeeIisGbkpIO...
- Tue Apr 10, 2018 3:49 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Cutting 1mm slots / rings for rosettes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 18014
Re: Cutting 1mm slots / rings for rosettes
As regards to the use of superglue on raw spruce, I have found occasionally that the superglue stains the wood a greenish tint. Does anybody else experience this and what would the reason be for it only happening on some spruce samples and not others? Ross Canary yellow is the popular one. Some sup...
- Sun Apr 08, 2018 9:42 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Cutting 1mm slots / rings for rosettes
- Replies: 15
- Views: 18014
Re: Cutting 1mm slots / rings for rosettes
I've tried loads of things over the years. The best results happened when I started adding mass to the whole setup. I bought several of these when I was in Germany: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Fraszirkel-fur-die-Oberfrase-Frasschablone-Frashilfe/322541219708?hash=item4b18f46f7c:g:7nwAAOSwo4pYI2gc There ...
- Fri Dec 08, 2017 10:00 pm
- Forum: The Gallery
- Topic: Curly Blackwood Long Neck Concert Uke
- Replies: 6
- Views: 9582
Re: Curly Blackwood Long Neck Concert Uke
Lovely instrument, lovely finish. Are you spraying the poly? How do you find working with it? Humidity must be an issue where you are?
- Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:07 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Tru Oil alternatives
- Replies: 16
- Views: 29980
Re: Tru Oil alternatives
You might want to try Osmo oil. It's a nice finish for simple work. Two or three coats is enough for a nice satin filled finish.
- Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:44 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: osage orange
- Replies: 4
- Views: 6826
Re: osage orange
I made a few guitars with it, and I was impressed by it. Glueing isn't always straightforward. Treat it like an oily rosewood, even though it doesn't feel that oily. The main issue I had with it was it's not very "commercial." Not a great demand for orange with a hint of green steel string guitars. ...
- Thu Oct 26, 2017 3:30 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Great video and centre line finder
- Replies: 2
- Views: 4639
Great video and centre line finder
Just watched an old video of the Hofner factory in Germany. Really enjoyable - old fashioned wood machining. There is a great simple centre line finder around 11.20. Loads of great jigs and such.
Enjoy!
youtu.be/
Enjoy!
youtu.be/
- Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:41 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Skill sets.
- Replies: 15
- Views: 19400
Re: Skill sets.
If you want to do it for a living, I'd suggest doing a marketing course.
- Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:24 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: bending qld maple
- Replies: 5
- Views: 6464
Re: bending qld maple
Lovely looking stuff. Just cut one set and try in water and maple. If it snaps (and short grain can, even with fabric softener) I'd be hunting someone with a good quality saw to make that into veneers. In Germany here, there are several shops who offer the service. Vacuum veneering is a lot easier t...
- Sun Oct 22, 2017 6:49 pm
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: bending qld maple
- Replies: 5
- Views: 6464
Re: bending qld maple
If it looks like it might cause trouble, I soak in hot water and fabric softener for 20-30 mins. Usually does the job. The alternative, which I do more and more of these days is to cut or thin the wood down to veneer thickness and laminate it to something more bendable.
- Sat Oct 21, 2017 5:56 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Tobacco sunburst
- Replies: 11
- Views: 17740
Re: Tobacco sunburst
Gday Nigel. it would be nice to end up with a burst that looks something like the old Gibson that David Rawlings plays, i think its from the 1930's. The guitar is a concert size, and the only reason im looking at a sunburst for it is.....umm.....i bbq'ed the sides a bit when bending and have scorch...
- Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:38 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Tobacco sunburst
- Replies: 11
- Views: 17740
Re: Tobacco sunburst
It depends on what market your work is intended for. Some markets prefer the sprayed look, others the hand rubbed look. If' you're making guitars for the "hair rock" brigade, it should be sprayed. If it's for the "pencil 'tash and braces" crowd, it's hand rubbed. "Vintage Gibson" look covers both, ...
- Thu Sep 28, 2017 5:00 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Sending veneer to Oz
- Replies: 11
- Views: 19551
Re: Sending veneer to Oz
So marking the customs ticket - "Kiln-dried hardwood veneer" Would that be enough? Or should I be more specific about the species?
- Tue Sep 26, 2017 11:04 am
- Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
- Topic: Sending veneer to Oz
- Replies: 11
- Views: 19551
Sending veneer to Oz
I was planning on sending some veneer to a pal in the trade, not a great deal of the stuff - a package about 85cm x 45cm x 10 cm. Been looking at the Australia customs page and it all looks rather complicated, anyone had any experience of bringing veneer into the country, either commercially or non ...