Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Sorry guys I didn't explain the problem well - the tape was put down on the soundboard and when I lifted it, up came fibres of the Sitka spruce leaving horrible grooves in the soundboard. Having now tested the shellac coat I will be definitely be finishing the top better and putting the shellacked c...

All,

Any ideas for an easy way of filling the grooves left by the initial tape damage?

Tape on the router base ! Great idea, not sure why I didn't think of that !!

Will do that on the next guitar and the shellac coat too?

Cheers

Thanks all for your advice I've completed the purfling and bindings and removed all the lmi tape. Basically ok, using a hair dryer made a huge difference. Got a funny look from the wife when sneaking it out to the shed though..,, Will definitely shellac prior to cutting binding channels in future Ch...

Yes just added the tape to stop the SB getting marks. I have some good lmi binding tape which seems to adhere better and then come away from the Sitka spruce easier also.

Will do some test tapes and see what happens. Think it's better too when the tape is 90 degrees to the grain.

Cheers jase

Cheers Col, the routed binding / purfling cuts were fine

The drama was the soundboard fibres lifted when I unpeeled the tape (from the centre of the soundboard).

Maybe cheap masking tape but probably need that first coats of shellac so the fibres don't lift

Hi all, What's the best method of stopping soundboard fibre tear out when applying binding / purfling tape? Shellac coat prior? I want to avoid my experience when "protecting" the soundboard during binding routing, where I slapped standard making tape longitudinally down the soundboard. Beautiful cl...

Hi all, I have purchased the LMI binding jig and want to install my makita 3709 trimmer onto it. Does anyone have a photo of the setup. The base of the trimmer is plastic but there are grub screws installed that holds a bottom plate onto it. So it might be as easy as replacing these with longer scre...

Cheers Pete, you've confirmed what I suspected!

My shed has a lot examples of what not to do .... Guess that's called getting experience

Hi all, I recently ordered the Martin style truss rod from LMII but upon arrival it is longer than the neck of my neck. Is it acceptable to leave it hang out at the dovetail joint end? Its approx 20mm longer but would still stop before any bracing on the top. Strange that it is too long as it is a M...

Guys fantastic advice and very impressive

Thank you heaps...I'm on the start of a very long journey !

Cheers Jason

Hi guys, does anyone have any advice for getting familiar with how to do basic headstock inlays. I want to just do a cursive script name on the headstock.

Cheers, Jason

Hi all

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll fill and if it looks acceptable that'll do. If not I'll spin over and do another back strip

Cheers all

Jas

Ok thanks for the advice Kim I like the look of the backstrip and can't fit another one the other side as the join will become too weak I think. So I will fill. I've never done it with CA and dust before. Do you just mix and then fill presumably. Obviously working quickly, and then scrape or sand fl...

Hi Kim

No it's just a gouge taken out with the corner of the hand plane. Dumb I know. Was thinking of filling with something. Or could be left, it's not the end of the world.

Cheers Jason

Hi all, I have a simple problem - I have gouged 2 magnificent dints into the back of my guitar when leveling the back strip. I know I know ... Schoolboy error... Shouldn't have picked up the phone , should've taken more care ....! Anyway the back is about the right thickness so I either (i) turn it ...

Jeremy, impressive stuff, your set up is excellent.

I think I'll attack this without a mold and see how I go. Will probably make a mold down the track.

Cheers, Jason

Martin,

Fantastic, thanks for the advice.

When I progress to the separate neck and body method, where do u recommend I go for templates etc? I must say the JW book is pretty good for me being a first timer !

Cheers Jason

Martin & Kim, Thanks heaps for your advice, pretty much as I thought but it is always good to get these things confirmed. This is my first guitar and I have already built the board so will stick with this method for this one. Kim you are spot on though insofar as if I wish to build a unique shape or...

Hi there, I am building my first guitar and am currently making my jigs etc (my fox side bender is coming along nicely!). I was wanting some advice in relation to the assembly - is it easier to assemble as per the Jim Williams method, ie on a building board with dowels and wing nuts holding the side...