Epoxy Pore Filling Demo

[Allen]

These videos are also included in a thread in the main forum where you can see this instruments construction here.

I've just finished my first video. Shot with my iPhone by Karen on a very hot and steamy day a week ago. I've got a fan set up on the table saw behind me, but was making a distracting sound so turned it off during filming. Went back on as soon as we were finished to help keep the amine blush at bay, as well as knock down the sweat.

Anyway, hope it's of interest.


youtu.be/

And the next covers scraping back the epoxy, saving all that sand paper clogging.


youtu.be/

The last instalment covers wash coats to take care of any sand through.


youtu.be/

[ckngumbo]

informative! Thanks

[kiwigeo]

Spectacular........especially the shirt.

[sebastiaan56]

Thanks Allen,

How much do you do to the plane blade as a scraper, do you turn the edge or leave it flat?

[Allen]

It's flat. Sharp enough to take hair off your forearm and just held lightly. I use to do the same thing with a razor blade, or a big woodworkers scraper, but this one works a treat.

As a side note, this is the way to level out a run in your clear if you ever get one. You take to top off the run once its good and hard. Very gently run the scraper over the top of the run, taking it down until it's level with the surrounding surface. You know you've got it there when the scraper takes a thin shaving off of the adjacent finish. Then go to your regular sanding procedure.

[Allen]

If you were following this thread then I've added a 3rd video to the first post covering wash coats.

[Clancy]

Again, thanks mate.
In Graham McDonald's book he recomends thinning the epoxy with alchohol.
Also, I have great trouble applying the epoxy to the necks.
Do you use the same methods?

[Allen]

I've used Metho to thin it, but I prefer lacquer thinner.

Necks are hard to do. I dribble a little on the neck and use the credit card to move it about as best I can. Once it's all been covered I use a clean paper towel to wipe everything smooth, taking off the excess that is just impossible to get smooth with the applicator. Makes sanding back much more simple without big ridges of epoxy all over the place. Most times I can get away with the same number of sessions on a neck as on the body, but sometimes doing this wipes out too much from the pores and I'm left needing to do another application.

The neck on this guitar is mahogany and it took the same number of applications as the body. That was 2 full strength and 1 wash coat.

[Clancy]

Thanks Allen, much appreciated.
It's funny, after reading the interview with you I realised we started this stuff at the same time but you've completed heaps more builds than me & thus have heaps more experience.
(Maybe I could trade the kids in on a nice set of back & sides....... )
Nothing beats lessons learnt with your own hands, but experienced advice always helps.

[Kim]

Nothing beats lessons learnt with your own hands

That statement is so true Craig right up until you meet your own Mrs Robinson

[Lillian]

[chris paulick]

Thanks, I don't have epoxy filling down yet. I'll give your technic a go next time.

[lacrombie]

Thanks for the videos, they have helped a lot.

By the way you look attractive in pink.

[lacrombie]

Hi Allen,

How do you run your vacuum clamp? Do you use a vacuum pump or a venturi valve with your compressor?

Leigh

[Allen]

Got a vacuum pump hooked onto a small compressor tank. Got the old compressor from the tip. Tossed out the old motor and added the vacuum pump. Works a treat.

[jeffhigh]

Damnit, followed your method Allen and now there are all these curly stripes showing up across my uke back,
And my credit card won't fit in the ATM anymore......





Thanks for the video, its a great help

[Allen]

Glad it's worked out for you Jeff. Post some glamour shots of it when you're done.