Search found 14 matches

by Mike Spector
Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:57 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Router bit slips
Replies: 11
Views: 6813

Re: Router bit slips

I had the same problem but different brand router. I had to replace my rather expensive Stew-Mac rabbit bit that only had small scratches on the shank with a new one. After that, no problem. The collet had slipped on the one with the scratches, so I replaced it first and it happened again so I repla...
by Mike Spector
Wed Mar 24, 2021 10:17 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Bolt on issues
Replies: 24
Views: 24895

Re: Bolt on issues

I still use barrel nuts in the tenon so I made this jig for drilling the holes for the nuts, tenon and the mortise. For me it works better if I complete the neck set and then drill the holes for attaching.

Image
by Mike Spector
Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:24 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Almost consistently bad glue joints...
Replies: 36
Views: 44079

Re: Almost consistently bad glue joints...

You said that this one "came back" . Where did it come back from? Maybe your technique was bad or the glue was bad but the owner might have had a little something to do with it also. Also, how long had it been since you built it?
by Mike Spector
Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:19 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Doing fret board and head stock binding -questions
Replies: 11
Views: 9806

Re: Doing fret board and head stock binding -questions

I fret my boards before I glue it onto the neck too. I don't use any caul at all. I use index pins and a bicycle tire tube cut into about a 1/2 " strip that's real long. You wrap that tight and it's clamped. Also I always check my fret board along the edges especially after I radius it. I use a...
by Mike Spector
Wed Aug 12, 2020 6:34 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Using the LMI/O’Brien neck mortise jig
Replies: 6
Views: 8092

Re: Using the LMI/O’Brien neck mortise jig

So you might get a "perfect" fit with the neck not attached to the body but where you gonna be when you stick the neck on and the centerline's off in relation to the full length of the body? You might want to leave it and "sneak up" on the geometry by whittling it a little at a t...
by Mike Spector
Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:37 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Gluing surfaces
Replies: 10
Views: 11096

Re: Gluing surfaces

This is from the Technical Advisor at Franklin International: Our work has shown that a smooth surface will always have higher strength than a rough surface. Two-hundred grit or higher sanding to get flat or tight-fitting joints works well. Wood glues work by attaching to cellulose on the wood and t...
by Mike Spector
Sun May 19, 2019 10:44 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: softening Gorilla glue
Replies: 8
Views: 8504

Re: softening Gorilla glue

If the inlays don't mean a lot to you, I would build a simple sled to fit around the neck and take a router to the fingerboard. Once off, install the rods or whatever.
by Mike Spector
Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Best straight edge size for tuning up guitars
Replies: 9
Views: 9374

Re: Best straight edge size for tuning up guitars

I use a Starrett 24" also, but found a 36" that reads in hundredth's of an inch for setting string lengths to position the bridge on acoustics. It was a "blemished" on E-Bay for about $30. I still don't see why they called it "blemished". It looks fine to me. try Taylor...
by Mike Spector
Mon Aug 28, 2017 8:21 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spanish solera question
Replies: 16
Views: 26786

Re: Spanish solera question

Right, mounted to the ceiling with hinges that let it "fold" down into vertical position and all the saw dust gathers into one point
by Mike Spector
Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:03 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spanish solera question
Replies: 16
Views: 26786

Re: Spanish solera question

pic of the mold and base. I used a piece of pipe and flange to support the bar. The sanding bar rests around a piece of some kind of plastic stuff I found on side of road. I use the base with my body molds also and replace the bar with sanding dishes, which is not the point of the Kenneth Michaels d...
by Mike Spector
Mon Aug 28, 2017 4:08 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spanish solera question
Replies: 16
Views: 26786

Re: Spanish solera question

... top or bottom on the sides. Anyway it's not hard to make one if you have a band saw for cutting the pvc pipe and a router to cut the slots. Only problem is that with every different shape you will have to build a different bending insert for your Fox style bender or else bend by hand over a hot ...
by Mike Spector
Mon Aug 28, 2017 3:41 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spanish solera question
Replies: 16
Views: 26786

Re: Spanish solera question

I guess you know that that is a photo of the "Kenneth Michaels Ultimate Guitar Jig" from the Kenneth Michaels website. It adjusts to fit just about any shape of guitar and the post in the middle is for a sanding bar which is flat on one side and radiused on the other to sand the contour in...
by Mike Spector
Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:24 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Book
Replies: 10
Views: 10309

Re: Book

With all the info on the web, the main thing is to get out there in your shop and start making something. Make the main jigs you will need first. I would suggest you use cheap or even recycle wood for your first. I'm working on my eighth steel string and still haven't bought a book but I've gathered...

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