Search found 385 matches

by slowlearner
Tue Oct 23, 2018 5:15 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Water based finishes in Australia?
Replies: 3
Views: 4971

Re: Water based finishes in Australia?

All the clear lacquer is "out of stock". But then the rest of the site isn't much chop either really. :(
by slowlearner
Sun Oct 21, 2018 6:32 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Water based finishes in Australia?
Replies: 3
Views: 4971

Water based finishes in Australia?

Hi all,

Sorry if I'm resurrecting a dead subject. I'm just wondering if anyone has found a good local (or locally available) water based poly finish? I hate nitro and thinners, but I'm willing to try something else. Not interested in importing something from LMI or Stewmac.


Cheers
by slowlearner
Tue Sep 04, 2018 12:05 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Well, here we are, what now?!
Replies: 20
Views: 20231

Re: Well, here we are, what now?!

Hi Nigel, Great to have to you down here. Really looking forward to what you come up with using local timbers. Maybe I'll finally get to meet you after missing out a few years back in the UK. Re neck timbers, I've been using Tasmanian oak/Victorian Ash for lots of necks. It's not like mahogany, but ...
by slowlearner
Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: 8 String bocote falcate braced nylon string crossover guitar
Replies: 17
Views: 20938

Re: 8 String bocote falcate braced nylon string crossover guitar

:shock: Speechless. 8 strings... then that retop. :cl
by slowlearner
Fri May 18, 2018 1:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"
Replies: 5
Views: 7415

Re: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"

When you are going this far off the beaten path nobody will be able to say you have done it wrong... LOL, I think you're underestimating people's sense of self-righteousness. :wink: But yes, it's well off the track. I was relating to my wife the other day that I look at things and automatically thi...
by slowlearner
Fri May 18, 2018 9:04 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"
Replies: 5
Views: 7415

Re: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"

Some more "rustic" horror to entertain you... Draft one = looks like a Saw horse = fail https://i.imgur.com/76RJHwJ.jpg Generally musings for draft two... hmmm. https://i.imgur.com/sZXp0T2.jpg Draft two = finally something is working. Lots more drawing, details and elevations to do yet. I'll let you...
by slowlearner
Mon May 14, 2018 8:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"
Replies: 5
Views: 7415

Re: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"

Thanks mate, love an honest reaction.
by slowlearner
Mon May 14, 2018 1:26 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: #013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"
Replies: 5
Views: 7415

#013 "3 Planks" guitar build - "Lucky"

Haven't been around this forum for a while. However, thought you all might be interested in some of the nutty things I've been up to. I asked a bunch of questions about hollow body bass guitars a few years back and ended up with this... http://www.anzlf.com/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=8113 It came from thi...
by slowlearner
Mon May 14, 2018 7:30 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: #012 - "3 Planks" 6 String fretless bass
Replies: 2
Views: 6965

Re: #012 - "3 Planks" 6 String fretless bass

Hi Pete I love the attitude shown in this guitar - just get the job done. And it sounds great!. The bolt-on headstock, metal plates to hold the planks together (is there glue in there too, or can you really break the whole thing down with a phillips-head screwdriver?) - it is a triumph of practical...
by slowlearner
Sat May 12, 2018 1:01 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: #012 - "3 Planks" 6 String fretless bass
Replies: 2
Views: 6965

#012 - "3 Planks" 6 String fretless bass

Been a while since I've post on here, but here's my latest effort. Specs are as follows... Scale: 39" Strings: White tapewound La Bella Strings (last set unfortunately) Neck: 5 piece laminated Victorian Ash, single double action truss rod, graphite bars, Jarrah fingerboard, 20" radius. Bolt on heads...
by slowlearner
Wed Dec 07, 2016 8:57 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Rosewood and CITES
Replies: 71
Views: 75623

Re: Rosewood and CITES

demonx wrote:On a side note, I anyone wants Blackwood saplings, I have a gazillion of them. They regularly get trimmed with my tractor/slasher!
:lol: Maybe that'll be our timber of choice for everything now!
by slowlearner
Tue Dec 06, 2016 12:18 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Rosewood and CITES
Replies: 71
Views: 75623

Re: Rosewood and CITES

I've thought the same about ebony for some time too. Imagine what a fortune your kids and grandkids could earn off a few acres of that? :wink:
by slowlearner
Fri Dec 02, 2016 8:36 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Rosewood and CITES
Replies: 71
Views: 75623

Re: Rosewood and CITES

I know it's a long term investment, but maybe it's time for us to plant some indian rosewood here? The climate would work well enough right?
by slowlearner
Fri Nov 25, 2016 8:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure
Replies: 12
Views: 16886

Re: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure

What he reports there is pretty much what I experienced. Even when the glue failed it took some timber with it, no matter how much heat I put in it. If that's the way HHG generally works, I'll stick to my titebond.
by slowlearner
Thu Nov 24, 2016 5:27 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure
Replies: 12
Views: 16886

Re: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure

I've spent the last couple of days pulling the spruce braces off the soundboard. Man, what a mission! I tried steam after buying a cheap pressure cooker ($23). No cigar. The wood just got really wet and the thin paint scraper I was using was just tearing it up. So back to the heat gun, scraper and 1...
by slowlearner
Tue Nov 22, 2016 12:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

After a huge weekend, I finally got some time to put some strings on the guitar last night with a fake nut in place. I stuck it down with 2 drops of superglue... fail. Great moments in guitar headstock design. You can see what's going on here. http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Bui...
by slowlearner
Sat Nov 19, 2016 6:28 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure
Replies: 12
Views: 16886

Re: Piano scavenging adventures - ungluing the structure

Right, so this is as far as I've got with salvaging the soundboard. It's 135yo spruce... and probably was much old than that when felled in Europe some where. I won't horrify you with the butchery of how I got the bridges of off... http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/IMG201611191500...
by slowlearner
Thu Nov 17, 2016 5:19 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

I got all the electronics in this afternoon, but something isn't right. The switches aren't switching the coils in the way I imagine they should. Anyhow, here's a progress pic. I still have to cut a nut for it, so no strings as yet. http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build%2011%20-...
by slowlearner
Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:42 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

Been messing around with wiring and extended PU wires that were 2" too short. Typical. I forgot how I wired up my last killswitch humbucker setup. Then I went through some old build pics to see what I used last time and I came across this... http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build...
by slowlearner
Tue Nov 15, 2016 11:12 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

After a pretty big day, I managed a few minutes of work last night to get the PU mounted and the bridge on. http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build%2011%20-%20slydebyrd/IMG20161115105604_zps5txq7zql.jpg http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build%2011%20-%20slydebyr...
by slowlearner
Mon Nov 14, 2016 1:10 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Getting your head on straight
Replies: 6
Views: 7890

Re: Getting your head on straight

Love that "steel bar" in the trussrod slot. That's cool. I also really like your vacuum cleaner attachment at the end. That hooks on your belt right?

P.s. I've never had any issues with double sided tape leaving a residue.
by slowlearner
Thu Nov 10, 2016 10:36 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

Sorry, got the wrong pic in before. You want this one... http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build%2011%20-%20slydebyrd/IMG20161110140912_zpsq3va0pax.jpg Time to start fiddling with electronics. Trace out the layout onto some cardboard. http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpet...
by slowlearner
Thu Nov 10, 2016 2:44 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"
Replies: 39
Views: 40283

Re: Build 11 - "Slydebyrd"

Sanding, sanding, sanding, wetting down, sanding, sanding sanding... you get the idea. Amongst that it's been time for lots of little details. Like filling the fret slots ends. http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk127/stpeterscia/Build%2011%20-%20slydebyrd/IMG20161109223320_zpslvvwnlxo.jpg Fiddly st...
by slowlearner
Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:39 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Affinity Designer for Luthiers
Replies: 24
Views: 22322

Re: Affinity Designer for Luthiers

Could you show us some of the things you're drawing up on it?
by slowlearner
Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:53 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Ambrosia Maple and Ancient Spruce Tenor
Replies: 13
Views: 10535

Re: Ambrosia Maple and Ancient Spruce Tenor

That's gorgeous! Why is the spruce so dark?