Search found 235 matches

by nkforster
Sun Aug 15, 2021 7:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hiding a repair
Replies: 11
Views: 11253

Re: Hiding a repair

Start again.
by nkforster
Sat Aug 07, 2021 6:40 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: More spindle moulder fun
Replies: 2
Views: 3398

Re: More spindle moulder fun

Fun indeed. That looks like a helical cutter rather than a sanding bobbin...? With a bearing at the base? Having invested the time to make the jigs that certainly makes the tasks quick and perhaps more importantly repeatable. Yep, its a helical cutter with a bearing. Spindles are great, there is lo...
by nkforster
Fri Aug 06, 2021 7:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: More spindle moulder fun
Replies: 2
Views: 3398

More spindle moulder fun

Making mandolin necks on the spindle.


youtu.be/e6I6NnkaWn4
by nkforster
Thu Jul 29, 2021 7:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Torrefied Tonewood
Replies: 24
Views: 27226

Re: Torrefied Tonewood

kiwigeo wrote:
Thu Jul 29, 2021 6:55 pm
Thanks Nick..interesting reading.
Nigel
by nkforster
Thu Jul 29, 2021 6:01 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Torrefied Tonewood
Replies: 24
Views: 27226

Re: Torrefied Tonewood

Trevor may have tested this scientifically, but I've not. Whenever I've been handed "normal" sitka, I've handed it back. I found it too heavy, too stiff and rather dead. It usually looked nice, which helps, but I'm also rather interested in sound. On the few occasions, I used sitka for braces (when ...
by nkforster
Thu Jul 29, 2021 1:46 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Torrefied Tonewood
Replies: 24
Views: 27226

Re: Torrefied Tonewood

Having made about 50 or 60 or so instruments with torrefied sitka, I can tell you that it isn't stiffer having been through the torrification process. For the work I do, I find regular sitka too heavy and too stiff. So I don't use it. Baking the wood in an oxygen free oven (torrification) makes the ...
by nkforster
Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: UV cure
Replies: 7
Views: 6357

Re: UV cure

Complete resprays and first time builds have used it on, spraying and masking is no different, i dont however paint with the bridge on, i micro route the edge of the bridge and fit it over the top of the finish, same way taylor does Good to know. I don't know of anyone who sprays gloss guitar with ...
by nkforster
Thu Jun 24, 2021 9:56 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: UV cure
Replies: 7
Views: 6357

Re: UV cure

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 tr...
by nkforster
Wed Jun 23, 2021 7:25 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: UV cure
Replies: 7
Views: 6357

Re: UV cure

simso wrote:
Tue Jun 22, 2021 10:06 pm
Yep, i use cure uv

Steve
https://www.cureuv.com/collections/uv-g ... ng-systems
Do you ever finish whole guitars Steve, or do you use it only for repairs? Any issues with fretboard edges or lacquer around the bridge on acoustics?
by nkforster
Tue Jun 22, 2021 7:23 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: UV cure
Replies: 7
Views: 6357

UV cure

Anyone here using UV cure lacquer? What you using?
by nkforster
Wed Jun 16, 2021 9:49 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: carbide rosette cutter
Replies: 1
Views: 2693

carbide rosette cutter

For years I've been after a drill press rosette cutter. LMI used to make them but not any more. Ken Tims made a great one for his ukes you can see here. He uses sharpened drill bits I think for the cutters. mAbK1EY7IA0 Do you think it might be possible to make one with disposable carbide cutters lik...
by nkforster
Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: fret slot cleaning
Replies: 3
Views: 3216

fret slot cleaning

Anyone know a source of dremel/dental bits suitable for cleaning out fret slots? Other than the one Stew Mac sells which is a bit wide.
by nkforster
Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck extension
Replies: 5
Views: 4431

Re: Neck extension

G'Day Nigel, love the way you've embraced and utillized that spindle moulder. Cheers Frank I've not got the brains for CNC. A spindle is a great tool for those who make a living from instrument making. I use is a lot in neck making now, from cutting the head angle, thicknessing the neck rear, for t...
by nkforster
Thu Jun 03, 2021 7:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck extension
Replies: 5
Views: 4431

Re: Neck extension

Ta Dave. What I like about it is there is no surprises. There are times when I've routed the mortise in the neck and body together that I've lifted the jig to find it closer to one side than the other. Or something slips and I rout a little deeper than planned. Secondly, I can cut this mortise strai...
by nkforster
Sat May 29, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck extension
Replies: 5
Views: 4431

Neck extension

Many of you may use the neck extension idea that Trevor and Gerard suggest in their excellent books - Where you rout out the neck and the body and glue in a loose tenon. Well, I never really liked the routing process, and am not so keen on removing so much wood from the neck. So I came up with a way...
by nkforster
Tue May 25, 2021 5:40 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tail wedge
Replies: 10
Views: 7632

Re: Tail wedge

Unusual top doming on the lower bout of that instrument...almost cylindrical. What's the go there? Have you done any Chladni testing on this top? Not done any testing but you can hear what it sounds like: https://youtu.be/YN16lL5lDE4?t=82 I've covered the topic here: https://www.nkforsterguitars.co...
by nkforster
Mon May 24, 2021 7:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tail wedge
Replies: 10
Views: 7632

Re: Tail wedge

Really nice piece of work. Thanks for posting. You mention that the jarrah wasn't difficult to bend, as you are using a veneer. Can I ask, how thick is the veneer, and what is the base you are working over? Just normal veneer. 0.6mm. Underneath is another piece of veneer and a substrate, then more ...
by nkforster
Sun May 23, 2021 7:54 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tail wedge
Replies: 10
Views: 7632

Re: Tail wedge

Nigel I like it. Did you rout out the trough or do it by hand? And that side wood looks amazing what is it? I would imagine it would be hard to bend without cracking. Fourth photo down is what I rigged up to rout the mortise. The plywood sticks were butted up against the wedge and held with the sup...
by nkforster
Sat May 22, 2021 11:20 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tail wedge
Replies: 10
Views: 7632

Tail wedge

I quite like some of the simple inlay work that has been doing the rounds for a while, so I thought I'd have a go. https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox4K7DCC5oM/YKhaMmTzaII/AAAAAAAAGcY/qVopxnXEQycg0wEUd4sP0vN3Yg-zVWyzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1187.jpg https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12AMUD4H-3w/YKhaZvvX2KI/AAAAAAAAG...
by nkforster
Sun Feb 21, 2021 2:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Overseas payments
Replies: 12
Views: 11921

Re: Overseas payments

I've used Transferwise for years. It's the only system I use as 95% of my sales are overseas. It is worth making up a few PDFs with detailed instructions for clients to print off and follow - American banks are particularly useless at getting this right first time and their retail banking system is ...
by nkforster
Wed Feb 17, 2021 5:43 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Chinese bending iron
Replies: 2
Views: 3792

Re: Chinese bending iron

I'd suggest buying a decent one. Not an Ibex, they're wobbly in weeks.

The best you can get is made in England:

https://luthiers-bench.com/products/ben ... 9642213575
by nkforster
Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New workshop to be
Replies: 17
Views: 13669

Re: New workshop to be

I'm set up in a fairly small space. Effectively a three car garage. One cars' worth is split into two small rooms - one is humidity controlled where the wood is stored and glue ups happen. The other is where most of the handwork happens. It has the best light. Then there is the main shed - just over...
by nkforster
Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:50 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Great sharpening set up
Replies: 7
Views: 8712

Re: Great sharpening set up

Do you mean "would this make the blades edge curved?" No, it doesn't. They come out flat.
by nkforster
Sun Dec 06, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: What Veneer for body
Replies: 6
Views: 7863

Re: What Veneer for body

This thread might help too:

http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?t=7883

Basically, the more complex the shape, the more issues you will have. So an arched cutaway with a deep recurve is harder to do than a cylinder.
by nkforster
Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: What Veneer for body
Replies: 6
Views: 7863

Re: What Veneer for body

Please post some photos of the veneer if you can. Let's see what you got@ Laminating tops and backs from scratch is no simple task. Most o the European firms who do this start with a spruce core, with show veneers on the outside of maple or good quality spuce. There is a video of an American chap wh...