Search found 89 matches

by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Time to buy my first router - Any tips
Replies: 41
Views: 37360

Re: Time to buy my first router - Any tips

What do people use a hand held 3 1/4HP router for? Gosh that is so hefty... great in a table router I'd imagine. The Triton brand is present in the UK but not big. Regional variants are interesting aren't they?
by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Time to buy my first router - Any tips
Replies: 41
Views: 37360

Re: Time to buy my first router - Any tips

Porter Cable is a very American brand - can't get them easily here in Europe and I suspect they are probably almost unknown down under. Fortunately for us Europe imports mainly Far eastern brands and these days, these are very good.
by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Time to buy my first router - Any tips
Replies: 41
Views: 37360

Re: Time to buy my first router - Any tips

For solid body routing you want a 1/2" plunge facility job. I've just looked at Aus eBay and there is practically nothing there. Is this usual guys?
by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Time to buy my first router - Any tips
Replies: 41
Views: 37360

Re: Time to buy my first router - Any tips

1/2" router is the thing - oh and remember guys - this is my job... I need all those tools to get the price right for my instruments whilst trying to pay the bills. but that, is another argument isn't it?
by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:34 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Time to buy my first router - Any tips
Replies: 41
Views: 37360

Re: Time to buy my first router - Any tips

I have 13: Mof Elu 11 overam plunge router 2000Watt for profile routing - 1/2", goes like a rocket and fitted with spiral cut CNC router bit 2 Hitachi laminate trimmers - discontinued TR6 - purchased new used for trimming back over hangs 2 Trend Elu mof96 1/4" routers - bought on eBay: one permanent...
by Pete Howlett
Wed Nov 10, 2010 3:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Extreme Build in finland...
Replies: 3
Views: 4085

Extreme Build in finland...

You are viewing a re-constructed thread by the ANZLF recovery team. For more information click here . " Originally Posted on:Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:55 am Apologies folks for not getting you a daily update of my International ukulele build course in Finland. We took some video at the end of the finished...
by Pete Howlett
Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:02 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretmaster Approved
Replies: 7
Views: 7411

Re: Fretmaster Approved

It is based on the Jointmaster...
by Pete Howlett
Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretmaster Approved
Replies: 7
Views: 7411

Re: Fretmaster Approved

The blade support has slotted holes and I height adjust using 'slips'.
by Pete Howlett
Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:54 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fretmaster Approved
Replies: 7
Views: 7411

Fretmaster Approved

You are viewing a re-constructed thread by the ANZLF recovery team. For more information click here.

Originally Posted on: Sun Sep 05, 2010

I've replaced the Stewmac blade, fitted the rear plate coupler and voila:


youtu.be/

Link
by Pete Howlett
Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bottleneck Delta Blues
Replies: 5
Views: 5379

Re: Bottleneck Delta Blues

Not sure if he still has a description at Stewmac but Dan Erlewine did it on a Stella !2 string. Basically you make two end stops at the nut and heel ends then cut the graphite very slightly longer so it has to be flexed into the routed channel. This puts a small bit of backbow on the neck. Glue the...
by Pete Howlett
Mon Nov 08, 2010 4:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Bottleneck Delta Blues
Replies: 5
Views: 5379

Re: Bottleneck Delta Blues

Good recommendation but don't buy it - it is not one of their btter examples like the Sovereign. Look on ebay for a Lakeside parlor guitar like the one Blind Lemon Jefferson sports in that famous publicity photo. Take it to a luthier and get him to replace the tailpiece, fit a bridge plate and put o...
by Pete Howlett
Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:54 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Plastic binding scratches
Replies: 4
Views: 4689

Re: Plastic binding scratches

Scrape it back - look at frets.com for Frank Ford's cheap glass scrapers...
by Pete Howlett
Mon Nov 08, 2010 11:20 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Planer vs sander thicknesser...
Replies: 31
Views: 27496

Re: Planer vs sander thicknesser...

Amen to the above. My little 4x6 planer packed up - capacitor went and I just chucked it out - couldn't be bothered. Now accurate bandsawing and shoving stuff through my homemade thickness sander do the job.
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:49 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: TruOil finish...
Replies: 14
Views: 12557

Re: TruOil finish...

It amuses me - 'my local gun sports shop'... we don't have them here in Blighty, notlocal ones anyway! - they don't trust us.
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:48 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: TruOil finish...
Replies: 14
Views: 12557

Re: TruOil finish...

My boys in Finland got it from the 'gun shop'...

I've tried most of them and it is the best.
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:47 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: TruOil finish...
Replies: 14
Views: 12557

TruOil finish...

You are viewing a re-constructed thread by the ANZLF recovery team. For more information click here . " Originally Posted on: Mon Aug 23, 2010 9:21 pm " When people complete my kits or do an extreme build I point them towards a TruOil finish. forn an enthusiastic amateur it is one of the easiest to...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:34 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

So where is the drought?
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:32 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

I visited this website and have this from the spec: The timber saws well except for a tendency to be woolly in cross grain. It seasons rapidly, with little degradation; however, tension may occasionally cause splitting and warping. It is favoured for furniture, high-class joinery, trim and boat buil...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:30 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

Dooohhh! 'Scuse my ignorance fellas :) I've just Googled a map of Australia and now I understand the geography a bit more. Am I right in thinking that everyone lives around the edges of Australia and only the insane live in the middle bit? That the North is 'tropical' and the south more architypical...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

UK is defined as 'temperate'. RH is way above 45%. I guess that checking is caused by a very dry climate. My experience is totally with the UK, studying about it first for my degree then buying, drying and trying to get high yields out of exotics for the past 34 years... like building, there are no ...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

In the UK most old country sawmills had a 'log' pond - a smallish affair where they would keep logs submerged while awaiting conversion. This was usual a 'sump' off of a brook or stream since the mill would have been powered by a waterwheel. You know, these old boys knew a thing or two because tropi...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 1:02 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

I wasn't refering to luthier's suppliers who know their customer requirements. I think this thread is about DIY supplies of wood isn't it where provenance is unknown to a degree. ie: I bought some lovely burry yew for drop tops from a turner's suppliers. usual question: "Has the wood beeen dried?" A...
by Pete Howlett
Sun Nov 07, 2010 12:59 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Take two, Khaya senegalensis
Replies: 49
Views: 38168

Re: Take two, Khaya senegalensis

This is all a bit heavy... glad i din't witness the **** storm :) It must be hard in Australia/New Zealand to dry wood. However some basic principles can apply. When felling create your cants by 'splitting' or 'riving' rather than sawing. Can be hard with hardwoods but it is possible. End seal and '...
by Pete Howlett
Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: To graft or not to graft, that is the question.
Replies: 47
Views: 33010

Re: To graft or not to graft, that is the question.

Gettting that perfect bookmatch is sometimes difficult with the interesting wood we all love to use and often, you need the end graft to break up the visual assymetry.
by Pete Howlett
Sat Nov 06, 2010 7:04 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The future of wood Acoustic guitars
Replies: 17
Views: 15969

Re: The future of wood Acoustic guitars

I'd like to make more tenor ukulele from cherry and spruce but it is a very hard sell. However my score of the century samples arrive this week - the never to be repeated Andaman Padauk :)