Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Thanks Mark

I have applied 3011 Polyx Oil Gloss to my current mandolin build. I have kept it very simple, inline with the official advice on general application: 1. Prepare surface, filling gaps etc. as usual. Sand through to 400 grit. 2. Thorough clean, dampen to raise the grain, sand at 400 grit. 3. No pore f...

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=626670 Thanks Martin - there are couple of threads on that site that discuss Osmo as a finish, with plenty of variety in methodology and desireable use. Not a lot of consensus though: some people pore fill, others say it ruins the finish; ...

Hi - I am looking for advice from anyone who has experience in using OSMO PolyX as a guitar finish. I am hoping to use this as a finish on two mandolins I am working on. In particular, I would appreciate advice on: 1. Surface preparation: how far should I go prior to applying OSMO - is sanding throu...

What tonewoods did you use? > Guitarmaking: Tradition And Technology. Nice. I just requested a copy from Auckland Libraries. I'm preparing to nerd out quite a bit for this build. Thanks Amir - the tripletta is black-hearted sassafras with a bunya pine soundboard. The fingerboard and bridge are jarr...

Hi Amir I am a fan of the Mottola book. He also has a lot of good information on his website. He is extraordinarily thorough, and I found it best to dip into his book rather than follow him step by step. Another book, that works well as a companion to the Mottola book, is Guitarmaking: Tradition And...

Very nice!

IMG_3826.jpeg Those go bars look like the ones I found, there is a place called Tractor Supply in USA which sells these 3/8” fiberglass dowels, I did some testing with them before building the new Gobar station, a drop ceiling reinforced and new work bench so I can work on two back and top at same ...

Flash looking Stewmac clamps Bob. Did you come into an inheritance recently? :D I must admit to giving in to temptation after two frustrating failures at building my own spool clamps. They are very useful in applying pressure evenly around the body of the instrument while it is held in the building...

kiwigeo wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 22, 2023 5:52 pm

Bob_H wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 22, 2023 4:32 pm

I tried to attach some images of the project, but received the following error "Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."

Try again Bob..and let me know if you have further problems.

Thanks Martin - original post amended successfully

Good afternoon all I'm working on a pair of flat top (3m induced curve), h-braced mandolins in River Oak and Engelmann Spruce. I have the tops braced and attached to the ribs, and the back braced. Working on the neck is coming up. I am looking at finishing at least one with Osmo Polyx-oil. I know th...

Nice work Bob. What's next on the bench? Thanks Martin. I've made a start on a pair of mandolins, in Englemann Spruce and River Oak, and an octave mandolin, in Sitka and Northern Silky Oak. I am really enjoying learning to play mandolin, and I find building them present a different set of challenge...

Strung up this morning. D'Addario XS Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings, Medium. Happy with the sound and feel, and with the finish (at least from about 3 feet away)! Nice volume and tone. Need to come up with a sound sample.

Taffy Evans wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 02, 2023 11:16 am

Hi Bob, getting close to the exciting part of a build. Looks nice.
Taff

Yes - I find it very hard to remain patient as the build approaches the end - I really want to hear it sing!

Pretty happy with the fit and finish so far - really liking the colours coming through, including in the soundboard (thanks Tim). Time to glue on the bridge.

I’m always impressed by their service.

Thanks Mark and Taffy. The intention is to use the hardened shellac for all components, let it sit for a week or two, and then to polish up with micro mesh. The photos and lighting make the finish appear a little smoother than it really is, but I have found that the hardened shellac can be polished ...

Colours coming up nicely. The soundboard is particularly interesting. Using a hardened shellac, wiped on, and will polish up after curing

A couple of coats of shellac for sealing - and to start to see the colouring. A light sanding and then time to start applying the hardened shellac finish in earnest.

More progress. 1. Box is closed, and binding channels cut with the StewMac jig. Fitting Blackwood binding plus black/white purling on the top. Still having some trouble getting consistent depths and a consistent cut - I think greater patience, and a new router bit, are called for. IMG_3749.jpeg IMG_...

A very satisfying time of the project - neck and heel blocks attached to soundboard, sides bent, kerfing applied and attached to soundboard, sides profiled for the curvature of the back, and more kerfing applied. Closing the box next, and moving ahead with the neck and bridge. IMG_3745.jpeg IMG_3746...

Second hand set just listed on Facebook Marketplace. I do not know the seller, but they appear reasonably priced

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 355194873/

Mark McLean wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 18, 2023 10:08 pm

It sounds like you have humidity issues well managed, so it should all be sweet. Bending sassafras is like folding wet cardboard - no problem at all. Also, no pore filling!

I hadn’t really thought through the pore filling issue - a very welcome development!

lamanoditrento wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:59 pm

Looking good! 14 builds in 3 years is great going. Well done!

Learning by doing, I think it’s called! Plenty of improvement still to come Still, it’s been great fun, and very satisfying.

That is looking great Bob. I did a sassafras L-00 as my number 3 or 4 build. Very pretty wood, also from Tim. One thing to be aware of (Tim warned me at the time) is that it is slab sawn, not quartered. I think this is done to better show off the amazing colours. At that time I was blissfully ignor...