Search found 4738 matches

by Allen
Thu Aug 05, 2021 5:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tonewood in Alaska?
Replies: 10
Views: 8230

Re: Tonewood in Alaska?

When I've been back in Canada and bought timber I've purchased a cheap "Hockey Gear Bag" to fill up. Can usually get them at a thrift store for a couple of dollars. Its then easy to just open this up at customs when you get back to Australia when they want to inspect the timber.
by Allen
Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:54 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Torrefied Tonewood
Replies: 24
Views: 27230

Re: Torrefied Tonewood

I've built a few ukes with a torrified Sitka soundboard. And have a tenor in progress right now. The soundboard itself is harder and stiffer than regular Sitka stock from the same supplier. I like the honey color of it and it does smell nice. Earth shattering difference to the instrument......no. Bu...
by Allen
Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:45 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Glue not sticking
Replies: 10
Views: 6717

Re: Glue not sticking

I only use HHG when gluing up the body. The soprano I'm working on had the binding channels routed yesterday and there was no problem at all.

I've heard builders saying that Huon Pine is difficult to glue, but that has never been my experience.
by Allen
Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:10 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Glue not sticking
Replies: 10
Views: 6717

Re: Glue not sticking

I use Huon often and never had a problem. Got a soprano on the go right now so will have a close look this morning.
by Allen
Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:07 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tonewood in Alaska?
Replies: 10
Views: 8230

Re: Tonewood in Alaska?

Alaska Specialty Woods is located on Prince of Whales Island.

https://alaskawoods.com/contact-us/
by Allen
Fri Jul 02, 2021 6:18 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Tear out
Replies: 8
Views: 6753

Re: Tear out

I fill that sort of thing after it's been sealed and even after the first session of clear on it. I also have a selection of timber shades of water color pencils that I can add some grain lines etc. that will blend in should it be required. The tinniest bit of color and a smudge perhaps with your fi...
by Allen
Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:55 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Re finish question
Replies: 6
Views: 4578

Re: Re finish question

I've never done lacquer over a full french polish. No problem with a spit coat. My concern would be oil contamination from the FP process, or excessive build up. If you are sure niether is a problem then give it a go. You'll know right away if there is oil contamination with the lacquer blowing apar...
by Allen
Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:00 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Vacuum clamping bridges
Replies: 20
Views: 14540

Re: Vacuum clamping bridges

I use a vacuum clamp for the exact reason of so much less likely to have a unfortunate ding from a slipping clamp. My pump will cycle on- off far more than other forms of vacuum work. Annoying yes, but my set up is in a dry room that I can close the door and not hear it.
by Allen
Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:30 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin Style 5 Case Suggestions?
Replies: 8
Views: 7313

Re: Martin Style 5 Case Suggestions?

It would have been about 12 years ago now. It was an off the shelf model that they had to fit the Martin body shape. Though it was still custom built as they don't carry stock that I'm aware of. I did not need to send them a template or measurements when I said it was just a copy of the Style 5.
by Allen
Sun Jun 06, 2021 7:03 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Martin Style 5 Case Suggestions?
Replies: 8
Views: 7313

Re: Martin Style 5 Case Suggestions?

I've built 2 of these years ago and went with Ameritage cases. Heavy, and pretty well made. They were the only ones I could find that were a good fit.

https://www.ameritage.com
by Allen
Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:26 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Rain Drop Figure Koa Teor Uke
Replies: 6
Views: 8099

Re: Rain Drop Figure Koa Teor Uke

Sound sample of this instrument.

https://vimeo.com/540935805
by Allen
Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:38 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Paulownia Acoustic Top
Replies: 10
Views: 8246

Re: Paulownia Acoustic Top

Beau Hannam built a tenor uke with Paulownia about 7-8 months ago as part of a project using wood from President Carters plantation. He laminated the soundboard with spruce as it was just not suitable on it's own. Also ended up using a dark sunburst stain on the instrument as it's just plain dog ugl...
by Allen
Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:16 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Brand Fakes
Replies: 4
Views: 5311

Re: Brand Fakes

I've had 2 clients purchase my instruments after having purchased blatant copies made in Thailand that were so poorly constructed that they came looking for the real thing. That was about 8 years ago now and I've not seen anymore pop up so perhaps they were a victim of their own ineptatude. Anyway I...
by Allen
Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:48 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 10126

Re: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke

Hi Allen, Another stunning uke! Just out of interest, have you ever tried dye-ing fiddleback Blackwood? Any colour? I'm thinking a red-dyed front, back and side fiddleback Blackwood with Maple binding uke might look a bit nice! Thanks, GregL. This is the first time I've ever used dye on an instrume...
by Allen
Fri Mar 26, 2021 5:08 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 10126

Re: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke

Yeh, SM. Have had the full set of colors for over 10 years.
by Allen
Fri Mar 26, 2021 8:07 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 10126

Re: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke

Done by hand. I stained the body black before adding the bindings. Then when leveling them I sanded it all back so just the black was left in end grain. Masking off the bindings and applying blue mixed with alcohol carefully so I got very little bleed out under the tape.
by Allen
Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:28 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke
Replies: 10
Views: 10126

Blue Flame Maple Tenor Uke

I've been wanting to do something like this for quite some time and finally got around to it. Maple body with Australian Blackwood bindings and the rest is ebony. Gotoh UPT tuners, strung up with a low G. Blue Maple Tenor0.jpg Blue Maple Tenor1.jpg Blue Maple Tenor2.jpg Blue Maple Tenor3.jpg Blue Ma...
by Allen
Fri Mar 26, 2021 7:23 am
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Updated Epoxy Pore Filling Demo - Video
Replies: 13
Views: 42218

Re: Updated Epoxy Pore Filling Demo - Video

WEST Systems is extremly sensitive to under or over use of their catalyst, so when making small batches it's very easy to stuff that up. I make up 10 grams at a time. Also the amine blush you get from WEST Systems can be very problematic causing adheshion problems with your top coats. Bote Cote is d...
by Allen
Wed Mar 24, 2021 8:34 am
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Rain Drop Figure Koa Teor Uke
Replies: 6
Views: 8099

Rain Drop Figure Koa Teor Uke

Had this set on the shelf for 12 years and finally got around to using it. Pink Abalone inlay with Indian Rosewood trim.
by Allen
Tue Mar 02, 2021 12:24 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Airbrushing lacquer vs HVLP
Replies: 17
Views: 11791

Re: Airbrushing lacquer vs HVLP

Well, I don't spray lacquer anymore but when I did it was Mirotone 3220 thinned with their solvent and adding about 5% and no more than 10% of Ultra Slow or Retarder to the mix. The last ingredient will make all the difference to your ultamate finish off the gun. I always thinned it more than Miroto...
by Allen
Tue Mar 02, 2021 7:06 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Airbrushing lacquer vs HVLP
Replies: 17
Views: 11791

Re: Airbrushing lacquer vs HVLP

Airbrushes are an artist tool that simply will never apply enough product to the surface. Impossible to keep a wet edge that is critical in getting a smooth flat finish. A automotive touch up gun that is gravity feed would be my recomondation if you can't handle a full size gun. The rest is the prod...
by Allen
Wed Feb 24, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Grants
Replies: 9
Views: 8334

Re: Grants

I did one for the Cairns Woodworkers Guild that was successful. So much work that as far as I'm concerned it wasn't worth it. So many revisions, clarifications, dealing with too many people that continually move and totally change goal posts, only to be sent back to the original person and they sayi...
by Allen
Tue Feb 23, 2021 7:22 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Overseas payments
Replies: 12
Views: 11923

Re: Overseas payments

Thanks for the all the replies. I'll have a look into stripe and transferwise. Direct Deposit from their Bank to yours. This one is prefered by most of my clients in Europe. Allen is this just as simple as swift, bsb & account number via email or on a vincoie or is something else required? Yes, it'...
by Allen
Sat Feb 20, 2021 6:50 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Overseas payments
Replies: 12
Views: 11923

Re: Overseas payments

Well over 50% of all my business is from overseas. There are a few ways of dealing with the fees. PayPal and you eat the fees. PayPal and charge the client an extra percentage. PayPal and have them send funds as "Friends and Family" My preferred method is either of these. Direct Deposit from their B...
by Allen
Mon Feb 08, 2021 7:26 am
Forum: Anything Goes
Topic: Forum section for business
Replies: 11
Views: 18749

Re: Forum section for business

I searched your name Steve and you don't appear to be a member of that group. I've forwarded your name.