" What it is, what it shall be & what it will become"

Taking up Quality Space"

Taking up Quality Space"

Monday, December 31, 2012

The Sandpaper pile-up Problem

 Ok there's a big problem at the work-bench when doing the luthier sanding thing. And thats pieces
of sandpaper of various grits, new and used in a confusing pile next to where I'm working. This has been going on for years and, seriously, its probably a result of bad work habits. So yesterday I made me a Sanders-Caddy and I hope it helps but  "We'll see"


   
The box loads on either side and of course  can move around the shop.....

 Still remaining......greg

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Strings, strings and more strings

Bulk String storage with rubber (EPDM membrane)
  I came up with this about 6 years back. I get bulk strings  #20 each in many varying gages.  The Jig is a chunk of ply wood with a large hole cut-out. Then stretched over this with a stapler is a sheet of rubber material, I used EPDM membrane which is used in construction, and then this is mounted to the wall. This stretched material gets layed-out in a grid maybe an inch and half square, then small 1/4" slits are cut to accommodate a batch of say, 32 gage wound strings. Just push them through and they'll hang there waiting for you need....

        good luck greg

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Chena Uke / Neck

From this to this and so it goes

   Fingerboard application and rough/heel prep.....
Neck radius prep and follow thru....
   GP




Sunday, December 16, 2012

Side Sound-Port

The owner of that D35 with the side audio port said;

"I think that sound port is awesome, what a difference, I can hear tones that I never heard before from the guitar. You did a great job and your work looks great. Thanks
I think all guitars need a sound port !!! "
Rick

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Sound-Port Martin D35

 This is an 18 year old left-handed Martin D35 that my client requested a side sound-port like he had seen and heard on one of my North Rim models.
 This the 4th finished instrument that i've executed a sound-port install. Location was chosen for a number of reasons relating to ease of work, safety with respect to possible internal stress on the side that may cause possible fractures during work, and the fact that you'll all ways not be too far from the bridge for any internal issues relating to future pick-up installs.
 Goal to cut a sizable Oval hole, I prefer oval for aesthetics, and install 1/32 or 1/16 birch-ply backing material...
 The work proceeds in this manner: The guitar must be clamp firmly in place. Tape the side of instrument for a drawing palette and to protect the instrument and draw the Oval. Then with 1/16 drill bit drill many holes 1/8 in from perimeter of oval. Next I use the StewMac Dremel base with a 1/16 cutter and free-hand cut this interior oval out.
Use tape to support this piece so it doesn't get flung out.
  TAKE YOUR TIME
 Now prepare the backing material so it has the same hole cut in it as well, hot-glue small cauls onto this backing material. Then dry-fit this with small C-clamps (mine have little round rubber pads on them). If all is well proceed to gluing it in place. I used Old Brown Glue for the job, this is pre-prepared hyde glue and its great stuff. I've used it for three years now. Ounce the backing is in you'll have most of the hard work done. The rest of the job is whatever your comfortable with in removing the side material along with the backing material and taking it the rest of the way to the drawn Oval. I used an 1/8 inch cutter free-hand and home-made dowel sanding rods. Get it very smooth with a round-over then add shellac to pretty it up.


Thats it you now have your own monitor speaker.

   later greg

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Tim's Tenor / Chena Uke

 In the process, a Bubinga Tenor Uke
 Sitting in the sanding cradle
  Neck has carbon fiber rod & epoxy
 There is no finish just mineral spirits

Model/Classic 0 in RoseWood

Model/Classic 0 in RoseWood
three piece bk & sound port

Bridges

Bridges
A batch of various Bridges with Mammoth Ivory

E-Chena Uke (Electric)

E-Chena Uke      (Electric)

Recent Tenor Ukulele/sound Port

Recent Tenor Ukulele/sound Port
Model Chena Uke

Rosewood & Myrtlewood/Square neck Resophonic

Rosewood & Myrtlewood/Square neck Resophonic
Resonator lap-slide guit