Search found 4738 matches

by Allen
Thu Aug 25, 2022 5:34 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ziricote splitting
Replies: 7
Views: 7841

Re: Ziricote splitting

When using as solid (not laminated) and manage to get the body closed up, most experienced builders will flood the timber with very thin CA that will wick into the cracks you just can't see. I learnt this the hard way the first time using it and applying my first coats of finish that showed them all...
by Allen
Wed Aug 03, 2022 5:59 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Epoxy, brushes, CF tow, oh my!
Replies: 10
Views: 6169

Re: Epoxy, brushes, CF tow, oh my!

BoteCote is the best epoxy I've ever used, especially in small batches like we regularly use for instruments. They have a tropical hardener that is the only one I use being up in the tropics.
by Allen
Mon Jul 11, 2022 6:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Indian Rosewood Bridges coming off Cedar and Pine tops
Replies: 33
Views: 24239

Re: Indian Rosewood Bridges coming off Cedar and Pine tops

I have glued several hundred of bridges on instruments using both HHG and PVA. Not once have I wiped the surface of the bridge with acetone. This very well could be your problem as acetone will pull the oils to the surface and most unlikey that you will ever get them all off. The only time epoxy is ...
by Allen
Wed Jun 08, 2022 4:42 pm
Forum: Jigs & Fixtures
Topic: Candle Jig for Top / Back Joining
Replies: 10
Views: 22076

Candle Jig for Top / Back Joining

I had thought for a long time that some sort of jig to "Candle" the centre seam on the back and soundboard to determine if it was a perfect join prior to glue up would be a good idea, but never got around to it as the bulbs of the day just weren't what I thought was appropriate. But after seeing a m...
by Allen
Wed Jun 01, 2022 2:32 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Two ukuleles
Replies: 20
Views: 10483

Re: Two ukuleles

Save that for backs. I would pick spruce of some sort first for the instruments you are building. If you are really wanting Aussie timbers then Huon Pine is great on soprano's or concerts. King Billy Pine is a good all rounder though it's fairly soft so if the player is not careful you can ding / sc...
by Allen
Wed Jun 01, 2022 6:15 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Two ukuleles
Replies: 20
Views: 10483

Re: Two ukuleles

Fret markers on ukes will sometimes have one on 3. I always include them unless asked otherwise. Then 5 , 7, 10, 12 and 15. Ukes never get them on 9. If you see one on 9 then you know that whomever built it doesn't know ukuleles. But as Martin said, the side dots are far more important than those on...
by Allen
Fri May 13, 2022 6:01 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Gluing help please.
Replies: 18
Views: 19364

Re: Gluing help please.

I'd also suggest the medium or thick CA. It is what Rich Turner used for gluing bridges to his Polyester finished instruments for years.
by Allen
Fri Mar 18, 2022 6:50 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano
Replies: 8
Views: 10656

Re: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano

For years now most of my tenors get Worth Browns. There is a custom set of Thomastik-Infeld and Savarez Alliance available at Strings by Mail that are really nice and balanced that many clients like. And probably the new favorite that have just recently been released are Hannabach Goldin. Only avail...
by Allen
Thu Mar 17, 2022 6:48 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano
Replies: 8
Views: 10656

Re: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano

I love it for concert and especially soprano soundboards. I've used it for tenor and a baritone but to my ear it doesn't bring the best out of those size of instruments. I've not found it at all difficult to work with. Nothing special required. Here is a sound sample of another one I built for a cli...
by Allen
Tue Mar 15, 2022 7:42 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano
Replies: 8
Views: 10656

Blackwood - Huon Pine Soprano

This was a recent commision for a woman in the UK that had spent part of her youth working in rural NSW and wanted an instrument made from Aussie Timbers. Just got a email from her this morning. Hi Allen, Great news - my new Barron River Soprano has at last arrived safe and sound - and it is stunnin...
by Allen
Wed Feb 16, 2022 3:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Polyurethane finish questions
Replies: 5
Views: 3884

Re: Polyurethane finish questions

I'll add a few things to this post. You need to spray a wet flowing coat. What you see off the gun is pretty much what you'll end up with when it's cured. As it's a catalysed product, only make up what you can use for the job. Depending on your temp and choice of solvent, it's quite possible that it...
by Allen
Tue Feb 15, 2022 7:27 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Polyurethane finish questions
Replies: 5
Views: 3884

Re: Polyurethane finish questions

I use Mirothane now going on for 5 years. Their website and instructions are very confusing, and I believe its because their product can be applied in so many ways for different purpose and application. My local distributor has laid out what would be most appropriate for the vast majority of his cli...
by Allen
Tue Jan 11, 2022 6:11 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hobart Repair Person Needed
Replies: 2
Views: 2760

Re: Hobart Repair Person Needed

Yes. It would be humidity. Seen it several times.

I have contacted a luthier in Hobart who is going to have a look at it. Hopefully it's just a matter of a level and buff.
by Allen
Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:38 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hobart Repair Person Needed
Replies: 2
Views: 2760

Hobart Repair Person Needed

I have a tenor uke in Hobart that has a back seam blemish most likey caused in the long shipping time from Cairns to Tassie in December.

Is there someone that can have a look at it? Most likey just needs a bit of flattening with P2000 and a buff.
Buff Back.jpg
by Allen
Tue Jan 11, 2022 10:34 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: vacuum press
Replies: 10
Views: 7128

Re: vacuum press

It's just over 1.0 mm when I measure it. I bought a roll of it years ago out of China that was targeted at industry that used vacuum and heat to cure. My original press just used PVC material from the local rubber place that is usually sliced up to make fly screen doors. The silcone works heaps bett...
by Allen
Tue Jan 11, 2022 6:51 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: vacuum press
Replies: 10
Views: 7128

Re: vacuum press

I just have a frame that is made from timber with silicone rubber membrane. Rubber gasket on the sealing surface. Very much just like a bridge clamp. Just super sized. Use it on a smooth countertop. Works like the hinged ones but far less expensive, and I can store it out of the way when not in use.
by Allen
Tue Dec 28, 2021 7:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Soundboard shows bracing after French polishing
Replies: 6
Views: 7116

Re: Soundboard shows bracing after French polishing

Thin soundboard will just about always show the braces telegraphing through. Think of it as a feature of a lightly built responsive instrument. Saying that, this did bother me on my instruments and when I started doing some research found that a couple things could help aleviate the "problem". First...
by Allen
Tue Nov 16, 2021 6:29 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Twisted
Replies: 7
Views: 4783

Re: Twisted

Unless there is enough material left to straighten it out.....And then let it rest for some time to see if it's then stable I'd be tossing it in the bin.
by Allen
Wed Nov 10, 2021 6:40 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bridge plate for pinless bridges
Replies: 2
Views: 2855

Re: Bridge plate for pinless bridges

I've been using a Carbon Fibre bridge plate in all my ukuleles as per David Hurds recommondations in his book going on now for about 12 years. At 0.8mm thick it weight is bugger all and extremely stiff.
by Allen
Mon Nov 08, 2021 6:39 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Drum sander
Replies: 13
Views: 10760

Re: Drum sander

You can ignore the minimum sanding thickness on all machines if you use a platten to put your veneers on. Somethingn like 12mm MDF with a strip on the end to catch the material from shooting off of it when feeding it through.
by Allen
Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:47 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Neck Taper
Replies: 16
Views: 22952

Re: Neck Taper

I've always built the taper with a wedge on the bands saw. Adding the stacked heel and cutting the scarf joint aftwerwards. About 500 instruments now. Can't see any reason to make it more complicated than that.
by Allen
Tue Oct 05, 2021 6:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Offset diamond crowning file replacement
Replies: 3
Views: 4094

Re: Offset diamond crowning file replacement

I had a 150 grit one once and that was way too coarse for my liking. It left deep scratches in the wire that were a total PITA to remove.
by Allen
Mon Oct 04, 2021 6:57 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Lacquer
Replies: 3
Views: 4125

Re: Lacquer

Most of the Aussies and Kiwis will be using Mirotone 3220 lacquer as its relativey easy to source and easy to use. If you search the forum you will find lots of info about it's application going back over the entire time the forum has been in operation.
by Allen
Fri Sep 03, 2021 5:35 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Finding the High Points
Replies: 9
Views: 8632

Re: Finding the High Points

If you need to adjust the left / right alignment of the neck then the M/T will more than likely need a little bit of play, or there will be pretty much no chance on getting that adjustment dialed in.
by Allen
Tue Aug 10, 2021 5:46 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Australian Red Cedar
Replies: 7
Views: 5398

Re: Australian Red Cedar

There is plenty of variation to Australian Red Cedar. It grows all around where I live in north Queensland. Very fast growning that I if getting lots of sun and rain will have growth rings that are up to 1+ inch wide. I've used pieces from what you would refer to as "Old Growth" with somewhat tighte...