Search found 802 matches

by Craig
Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:26 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Soundports?
Replies: 12
Views: 10409

Re: Soundports?

I made a matching plug for a soundport I included on this 12 string . Consequently I can easily play with or without the port. I think "size does matter" in this case. You don't want it too big ! :D I made the soundhole a bit smaller to allow for the soundport opening There is a marked difference . ...
by Craig
Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:53 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Check out this swimming pool
Replies: 6
Views: 6532

Re: Check out this swimming pool

Suitable for Handel's Water Music ?..........

( Gigantic groan and tomatoes thrown !! :? )
by Craig
Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:16 pm
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: The dreaded "P" word
Replies: 28
Views: 20141

Re: The dreaded "P" word

kiwigeo wrote:No cancer
That's the best news Martin. Many more guitars,ukes and lutes to come !!
by Craig
Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:38 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: loss of radius
Replies: 25
Views: 20535

Re: loss of radius

Craig, the glue I used was titebond - What is the best method to use to remove the top? Paul. Heat is the answer Paul . Your hot knife method sounds good . Maybe some additional hot air or a cloths iron , but watch for scorching . Just take your time, go slow, and be very patient. Your removing the...
by Craig
Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:08 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: loss of radius
Replies: 25
Views: 20535

Re: loss of radius

Unless you are certain otherwise, it's probably not just the humidity in which you glued the top, but also that in which you glued the braces themselves. Jeremy. Good catch Jeremy !! , Something I overlooked with my above reply. Unless the braces were glued on at 40 %- 50 % humidity they too will h...
by Craig
Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:25 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: optimum temp for heat blanket (side bending )
Replies: 6
Views: 7153

Re: optimum temp for heat blanket (side bending )

Some woods seem to need higher temperatures than others so I don't think there is an optimum ,but as a rough guide : Start bending at around 270 F ( 130 C ) ,(look for steam coming off wood ) Go to a max. Temperature of 325 F ( 160 C ) As I say this is a rough guide only . I've gone a lot higher tem...
by Craig
Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:39 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Steph's Tiger Tenor Uke
Replies: 74
Views: 48042

Re: Steph's Tiger Tenor Uke

That's a beautiful looking little Uke there Martin. Steph is going to be thrilled.

auscab wrote: Do you know if Walnut oil goes off after a while ?
I was speaking to a client about it ,she said she had an old bottle of it that I can have.
Rob, Check the oil , many contain additives.
by Craig
Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: loss of radius
Replies: 25
Views: 20535

Re: loss of radius

Sounds like there are two problems you have there. The first being the top glue-up not going well . Take the top back off is the answer .You don't mention what sort of glue you used , but the use of heat will usually soften up most glues . Next time you glue it on use a better method of clamping. I ...
by Craig
Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Dove tail neck joint help---PLEASE
Replies: 12
Views: 9617

Re: Dove tail neck joint help---PLEASE

where do you guys get the threaded inserts and bolts for that style of neck? I've looked at a few Aussie sites, but don't find them. StewMac? You could get them from Stewmac's but I think you are probably able to pick up these items from most hardware stores . There are options with a bolt -on arra...
by Craig
Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:35 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Dove tail neck joint help---PLEASE
Replies: 12
Views: 9617

Re: Dove tail neck joint help---PLEASE

My advice if it's not already too late, is scrap the idea of a dovetail in favour of a straight mortice and tenon bolt-on arrangement. Those dovetails are surely the joint from hell with no real advantages . In fact their main disadvantage ( apart from the initial fit-up,) is the difficulty performi...
by Craig
Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:00 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Blackwood/ Engleman jazzbox.
Replies: 12
Views: 10713

Re: Blackwood/ Engleman jazzbox.

Absolutley awesome Rod . That's a hell of a guitar ! Take a bow mate :cl
by Craig
Tue Feb 07, 2012 7:52 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Carved es 335
Replies: 20
Views: 20432

Re: Carved es 335

Like most , I've always had a great fondness for 335's . Incredible work with this one Paul . Bravo ! :cl
by Craig
Mon Feb 06, 2012 10:25 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Alcoflex as a french polish solvent
Replies: 28
Views: 22979

Re: Alcoflex as a french polish solvent

I've read a lot about guys going to all sorts of trouble and expense trying to get that elusive 100% alchohol. I picked up the art of French polishing 40 years ago whilst serving my piano tech apprenticeship. We had an old English guy in our workshop refinishing our pianos . He had learnt his trade ...
by Craig
Wed Nov 16, 2011 7:09 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: 2 Point Tenor Uke
Replies: 15
Views: 13529

Re: 2 Point Tenor Uke

Very cool Allen. Like Nick ,I really like the shape and those curving lines of the upper bout . Yes , I can see you've put a lot of time into the design detail. Well worth it Allen and it really does show. This one really is a winner ! The mitres aren't too shabby either :lol: Great work Allen
by Craig
Mon Nov 14, 2011 7:58 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Side bending question
Replies: 17
Views: 15377

Re: Side bending question

That's rather strange ,( but incredibly handy ! :D ) Seems the wood couldn't wait to be made into a guitar !. I read of a similar thing happening to Waddy Thomson a few weeks ago on the OLF Forum with his Sycamore. http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33973 Crikey !, I'm off to...
by Craig
Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:53 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: "Falling leaves" 000 build.
Replies: 33
Views: 31576

Re: "Falling leaves" 000 build.

G'day Christian ,

I'll have to get me some of them " laser engravers " . All very cool work as usual mate.That's a hell of a rosette. Looking forward to seeing more progress !
by Craig
Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:20 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Adjustable guitar complete
Replies: 39
Views: 36092

Re: Adjustable guitar complete

That's awesome Kiwi, Again :D Can't believe you'd use the new formula hard shellac. I've heard good reports about the new stuff, but G'day Paul ! :D Yes I know I swore to never try hard shellac again after suffering crazing and checking from the original formula . Reports from others regarding this...
by Craig
Sat Oct 29, 2011 5:52 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Clamping My Bridge
Replies: 6
Views: 6365

Re: Clamping My Bridge

Two steel 1/16 " locating pins through the saddle slot which I remove after the glue is dry. This way I can take my time and make sure of bridge placement prior to glue -up. I made this jig for accurate placement of the location pin holes. NECKBRIDGE JIG 31.jpg More on how to make (and USE )this jig...
by Craig
Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:22 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Humidity
Replies: 23
Views: 19040

Re: Humidity

That's a bloody shame Mark . Beautiful looking work too !
Mark McLean wrote: Anyway - I am learning stuff, so that is good.
cheers
mm
A fantastic attitude Mark :cl
by Craig
Mon Oct 24, 2011 7:16 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Planing soundboards just got easier
Replies: 1
Views: 2928

Re: Planing soundboards just got easier

:lol: :lol: I thought everyone has one of those ?.

Mine goes a bit faster actually Michael :wink:
by Craig
Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:09 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Meranti Concert Ukes
Replies: 12
Views: 12398

Re: Meranti Concert Ukes

That's some great work there Craig. Very neat and tidy .I'm particularly impressed with your soundhole treatment .The Meranti looks like it belongs on a Ukelele. I like your new label too ! Very cool ! :cl :cl
by Craig
Fri Oct 14, 2011 6:58 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Adjustable guitar complete
Replies: 39
Views: 36092

Re: Adjustable guitar complete

G'day Jeff,` The neck has a mortise and tenon to line it up to the body and cutaway. The headblock is flush to the width of the neck on the cutaway side . The bent side panel gets glued to the headblock and overlaps by 5 mm. The 5 mm. being the depth of the pocket the neck sits in. Hope you can unde...
by Craig
Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:25 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Adjustable guitar complete
Replies: 39
Views: 36092

Re: Adjustable guitar complete

Apologies for near fritzing your brain with the gif pic Nick :lol:

Thanks and much appreciated Craig

H3ytm@n wrote:
Nice mitre mate!
I presume your using a donkey's ear jig on your shooting board or something similar?


Cheers
I used a shim on the side of my block plane to get the correct angle .
by Craig
Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:25 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: 'Z' Poxy
Replies: 41
Views: 35179

Re: 'Z' Poxy

The 'Z' poxy actually has a pinky colour to it after mixing. That doesn't sound right . The resin part of the mix is clear in colour and the hardener a golden amber. There's no hint of a pink or red in the mix. What are you mixing it on ? and what utensil are you mixing it with ? There's a chance o...
by Craig
Tue Oct 11, 2011 12:01 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: And now for something completely different
Replies: 148
Views: 103242

Re: And now for something completely different

Really coming together now Nick ,and looking fantastic as usual . :cl

Had no luck removing the doubled up last Picture sorry mate .