Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

It might have been some you offered up Martin, or some that Liam was getting rid of. Been on my shelves for years so don't recall.

Yes, the endgraft sides have a curve to them. I cut them on my laser so they are the same every time. If you didn't have a laser then a different template could be used to either mark them and cut, or route. Previously I cut them by hand and inlaid by gluing the purfling to the edges, and then scrib...

I get asked often how I manage to inlay the tapered shape of my end grafts so cleanly. It's pretty quick and easy with the set up I've built to fit my particular shape. Though dialing in everything did take some trial and error. It's amazing how much a difference 0.01mm will make to the fit when you...

I have the Jet full size one and it's used virtually every single day. Fitting out a luthier shop I'd say it is a "Must Have".

Sound Sample of this uke by Kimo Hussey.

https://vimeo.com/354422294

Sound sample of this uke.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/35458478 ... lor=fff8c6

Brush on (bottle didn't come with spray head) just so it wet each side. Let dry (about 15 minutes) and then spritz with water and bend on the iron are normal.

I have a project coming up that I anticipate is going to be very difficult to bend the sides so got in a bottle of Veneer Softener from Carbatec. Today I had a set of extremely curly Aussie Blackwood that I've built with quite a bit and know I have to go slow and very careful, so decided that this w...

I had notice from my Post Office that it's the US and I think they said China that is enforcing rules that always were on the books. They want to know what's coming into the country before it even gets into the stream.

Dennis Leahy wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:56 am

Have any of your ukuleles been "anointed by" Jake Shimabukuro, yet?

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. No, I'm not aware if Jake has played one of my ukuleles yet.

Thanks. I certainly loved doing the last few of these instruments. Re-ignited the passion.

Working with some new ideas and technique on this one. Body is Tiger Myrtle and Ancient Sitka Spruce with Blackwood bindings. Inlay made from pressure dyed Maple and Faux Ivory that was then scrimshaw shaded. Ancient Spruce - Tiger Myrtle Tenor-07292019-2.jpg Ancient Spruce - Tiger Myrtle Tenor-0729...

Another tenor I built on a whim to sharpen my skills and do work that really inspires me. This is the first time using Lutz, and was really surprised at how stiff this timber is. I was expecting more along the lines of Engelmann, but I would say much closer to really high grade Adirondack. The inlay...

1. Razor sharp chisel and polished back to see the angle is crucial. 2. I have to use a magnifying visor as my regular reading glasses just aren't good enough. And pretty much everyone I know even with good eyesight would benefit from the use. 3. Don't ever think you can hide a small gap at a mitre....

Set the timber 30 to 45 degrees across the grain for the bulk of sanding. Take light passes and only go with the grain at the last pass or two.

This is good practice for any timber that wants to burn or clog either on the timber or your sanding belts.

I just go a notice as an email. Perhaps because I have a luthiers account that gives me big discounts on regular prices. Don't know if the general public will get this offer. But here is the link and a heads up.

StewMax

The last time I ordered from SM the order came via Fedex / Toll. No explanation why even though I've always used DHL.

This technique is not new, and I've been using it for close to 40 years, but it's amazing how many people (even pro spray painters) are unaware of it. The reason you want to do this instead of using a hard block and sand paper is that for one, a block will never cut the high spot down level without ...

Your choice.

For my ukes the tall block is 10mm deeper than the neck block as that suits the way I like them to look. As far as I'm aware, all the Martin guitar plans I've seen do domething similar.

One of the top artists in the world lives in Cairns. He doesn't sell his work....but OMG it's simply amazing. Some almost like a photo. I spent an afternoon with him about 8 months ago getting some pointers.

I've got another tenor uke I'm putting together with some scrimshaw inlay. Took some photo's of the steps for those following on Facebook and the Ukulele Underground, so thought some here might find it interesting. The design is drawn up in CAD and files output for my CNC and Laser. Starts out with ...

I know some pro builders that can tell the difference between brands of lacquer on their instruments. Most of those fellows are US builders that had to switch and try different brands when their favourite closed up shop several years ago. I've only ever used Mirotone when I used lacquer so couldn't ...

I have a "Dry Room" where my dehumidifier runs 24/7. It's approximately 2m x 3m with all timber that I would be working with in the next year or so stored on racks in there as well, besides all the instrument components in various stages of completion are store. Everything lives in there unless I'm ...

It would totally depend on the timber and the 2K clear coat. As far as being durable, shinny, impervious to water, alcohol etc. no worries there. But the flexibility is really an unknown. Metal doesn't move anywhere near what wood will. Flex agents / additives are added to most automotive finishes t...

22.5" scale Baritone uke neck is the closest I'd get to what you are doing. 20 - 30 mintes tops to being ready for pore fill. I don't draw facets onto the neck though I did this to explain to students what we are going to do. Some get it right off the bat, other still struggle trying to visulaize th...