MIMF

I generally use up my EM6000 within 2 to 3 years of purchase and have had no problems with it. The KTM seems to have a much more complicated formulation and I think had a stated shelf life of a year or less. I’ve only used one quart of it in my life, no longer have the can, and don’t miss it. The fi...

Great idea! Many times I have gotten out the magnet on the end of the telescoping wand for that very purpose.

Target EM6000 will match it pretty well but it is not as hard and scratch resistant. I believe that it was recommended by KTM at one time for repairs. You’ll need to fine sand the KTM to get a mechanical bond.

I’m going to leave the crack, but I feel like I have to fix the string balls pulling through or there will be a much uglier repair to do later. The pickup is in the bridge part of this concoction. Note the individual saddles. I’m not going there.

Steven, thank you for that reference. Now I understand why it looks like it does. This one seems to have a large ebony (or some blackened wood) rather than the T-insert through a maple plate. I don’t know how old the guitar is. The owner has had it about 16 years and says the between pin cracks came...

I haven’t worked in one of these before. I would like to believe that the crack in the flush bridge section is of cosmetic consequence only. Does anyone know what the inlay material is? But, the guitar has slotted plastic bridge pins and the string balls are starting to pull up into the bridgeplate ...

The same tool can do both jobs. It’s not like you have to steam a neck every day.

I make open back banjos, usually with a 12” rim. I’ve tried chasing a number for what is considered the best neck angle for a banjo. The bluegrass guys seem to think that 3 degrees is optimum, but for a 5/8” bridge, that puts the strings really close to the head at the edge of the rim which isn’t op...

I’ve been doing the dental composite with eBay stuff for a couple of years. So far, it seems permanent. It sure is easier than remaking the nut. My experience with the CA plus anything fills in the nut slots is that they are very temporary (but useful when you only have a minute).

That would be it. Lowes gives a discount when you buy 4. All sizes cost the same, but you get more filter surface the bigger the filter. I use the 20x25. I took one apart. The pleated filter was 8 feet long.

This is what I did. It sits on the floor and blows up to the ceiling. I use the 3M Filtrete 1900 filters. I have a duct that I attach to it when I spray to blow the fumes out the window (the box containing the guitar to be sprayed backs up to it in the front). A timer shuts it off so I can clean the...

Melted wax is a neat idea, but I worry that it’s not elastic. After a hot day or an adjustment, it may no longer do what it’s needed to do.

The round part of the rod is usually covered with shrink wrap tubing. I’ve always used clear silicone caulk and never had one bind up on me. If you really want to use something else, you might try a mockup with another rod like the one that’s in that guitar.

I always use the clear silicone caulk for this (the white stuff seems to set hard). Maybe a glue syringe (that plastic thing with the curved conical needle) would be a good way to inject it, or use the standard caulk tube nozzle penetrated with a small drill bit. My caulk tubes always get hard befor...

I've repaired that problem before by finding a convenient place to drill a hole into the cavity between the round rod and flat bar and injecting a bit of silicone caulk into the space. You ought to be able to pull a fret and drill an angled hole into the cavity. I don't remember what I used to injec...

I had a Dust Deputy that I used with my Ridgid vacuum (and a HEPA filter). I supported it on top of the vacuum with a bracket that I made. It worked very well. But, I eventually tired of the bulk and clumsiness of the vacuum in my shop, so I tried using vacuum bags instead. The bag/HEPA filter combi...

I like that. It solves one of my problems. I’m gonna make one, too.

When you get there, pop me a private message or an email (you can find my address on my website) and remind me of this conversation and your need for the book. I won’t remember this conversation. I started my fiddle about 10 years ago. I’ve carved the outside of one plate and made the ribs. I only w...

I just got one “How to Make a Violin Bow” by Frank V Henderson. I bought it from a maker who’s selling out his library. Abebooks has a copy for $200. I haven’t opened this one yet and don’t plan to make a bow anytime in the near future. Maybe I could loan it to you?

If you start with shellac on the wood before you refinish it, over the years the light spots will blend with the older, untouched surface. If you dye it, over the years the colors will move apart as the dye ages differently than the natural wood.