Search found 70 matches

by Tom West
Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:08 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hi tech fret installation.
Replies: 34
Views: 26570

Re: Hi tech fret installation.

My last post was not a shot at DIYers because we are all basically DIYers. None of us came into this world knowing any of this stuff. We had to learn from someone who had a bit of knowledge or plod on by ourselves till we figured it out. So rather then discourage any one from trying I encourage folk...
by Tom West
Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:15 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Hi tech fret installation.
Replies: 34
Views: 26570

Re: Hi tech fret installation.

Took me a while but I think I have it figured out. He is not a real repair person. But was hired by a real repair person who does not have much work. These are aired so that DIYers have a crack at this type of work and will mess it up. They then have to take their mess to a valid repairman to have i...
by Tom West
Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:24 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Kootenay Tonewood
Replies: 2
Views: 3069

Kootenay Tonewood

Heard about Graham Hein from this forum and decided to try his Englemann. Not disappointed upon delivery by the mailman today. Would just like to thank the forum in general for letting me in on such excellant wood in my own country.....!!! Graham does not seem to be to well known outside of this for...
by Tom West
Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:13 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Reverse Kerfing.
Replies: 6
Views: 6062

Re: Reverse Kerfing.

Have used reversed for my last 7 or 8 and just love it. One of the big points for me is inletting the back braces,no blowouts and it looks so neat and tidy. I also find it easier to make and install compared to triangular linings. No way am I going back.
Tom
by Tom West
Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:26 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Alaska Specialty Woods
Replies: 9
Views: 9372

Re: Alaska Specialty Woods

Anyone looking for top grade Sitka will not go wrong for service or price by dealing with Brent at Alaska Specialty Woods in my experience.
Tom
by Tom West
Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:27 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Soundboard deflection
Replies: 14
Views: 12141

Re: Soundboard deflection

Dial indicators,used quite often in but not limited to machine shop work.
Tom
by Tom West
Tue Dec 07, 2010 2:21 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The first few days of a new guitar's life
Replies: 7
Views: 7390

Re: The first few days of a new guitar's life

Mark : I like to be about 1/16" over the bridge with the straight edge placed along the frets on a new guitar set up.The dimension from the top to bottom of strings is about 9/16".This is with a planned .500 from top to strings after settling in and any minor saddle adjustments in a few months time....
by Tom West
Mon Dec 06, 2010 10:01 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Plates thickness.
Replies: 7
Views: 6479

Re: Plates thickness.

If I recall correctly I think Cumpiano recommends 3/4" high bracing at the x brace with a .125 spruce top for a SS.For me this is over built. For good sitka a starting point would be about .115 top with 5/8" high x bracing.This assumes you are using wood with good stiffness to weight ratio. BUT this...
by Tom West
Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:04 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Saddles angled back
Replies: 23
Views: 17101

Re: Saddles angled back

It also helps with the intonation problem. Higher saddle further back,lower saddle closer to the nut.
Tom
by Tom West
Sat Jul 18, 2009 10:01 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Always Use Protection...
Replies: 25
Views: 20485

Also use one around the bridge for sure things as sloting pin holes. Have used it on all but one off my guitars. Please don't ask why.
by Tom West
Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:14 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Plane for Jointing?
Replies: 17
Views: 12968

Think any plane of reasonable length will do the trick as long as set up right. Shaving sharp (arm hair), very light cut, accurate flat sole. Given that the most important thing is pressure on the toe with the infeed,a smooth glide along the length of the board,and then pressure on the heel on the o...
by Tom West
Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:41 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: The S shape
Replies: 5
Views: 5258

John: Don't know if this wood was kilned or not but faulty kilning can cause similar problems. Think you will be fine after working to thickness and bracing. Cheers,Tom.
by Tom West
Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Thicknessing by hand
Replies: 47
Views: 36129

Thicknessing plates by hand was one of the most hateful jobs in guitar building. Tops not too bad ,but backs and sides,especially in the harder woods was brutal. Afraid to use planes on expensive backs and sides resulted in hours spent sweating over cabinet scrapers and sanding blocks.Sanity returne...
by Tom West
Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:50 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: ALDI Tools
Replies: 10
Views: 11090

Certainly agree with Rick on this .Think these are much too light for doing binding channels and saddle slots. The Dremel I have has no run out and works like a charm for inlay work ,ramping pin holes, etc, and I want to keep it that way. Have a laminate trimmer and routers for the heavier work.
by Tom West
Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:53 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: A Productive Week
Replies: 43
Views: 32455

Kim: Beautiful design work with the bookmatched head plate and a lovely flow with the grain. Not every one has the chops to pull this off so nicely...! Congrats, Tom.
by Tom West
Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New forumite with a question
Replies: 11
Views: 9562

Dan: Lots of good advice posted for you from the other folks. My advice ," Forget about it". Unless you want to be consumed by this evil obsession, have wood all over the place, miss bill payments because you spent the money on supplies, have your people think your strange because the only time you ...
by Tom West
Sat Jun 27, 2009 10:06 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: A new bridge
Replies: 14
Views: 10981

Dave: Like the new one now that you put it on a diet. Having the pin holes sloped as in the old bridge is the way I like to do it. Think it gives more uniformity to the break over angle and is less likely to crack. Also think if you use the inside of the line for the saddle slot you will be fine.
by Tom West
Sat Jun 27, 2009 5:14 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Fingerboard gluing process evolution
Replies: 4
Views: 4479

Frank: Every guitar I've made I used the brads in the fret slots. Two in the second slot and two in the twelveth. I nip the heads off the brads put them in the hand drill chuck and drill thier own hole. Solid as a rock. You have to clean up the back of the fret board where the brads com through. I h...
by Tom West
Sat Jun 27, 2009 4:18 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Some saddle questions
Replies: 5
Views: 5665

Frank: Don,t have any experience with under the saddle transducers,but do use wide saddles.Mine are mostly about 3/16 of an inch wide. It adds a bit more weight but I tend to use a small bridge foot print thus it evens out. Find it must easier to place the bridge and then deal with intonation. Altho...
by Tom West
Sat Jun 27, 2009 3:46 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: binding jig of sorts
Replies: 36
Views: 38770

Hi Grant: First time posting on this forum. Also use a jig similar to what you are showing,except no bearings and a bigger footprint around the bit. Works very nice,but have to pay very close attention to keeping things vertical and not slipping off of the edge of the box. This is especially true on...