Search found 234 matches

by Bob Howell
Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:07 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Truss rod choice for OM build
Replies: 27
Views: 46002

Re: Truss rod choice for OM build

Thanks for the explanation on neck access. I can live with through the sound hole. I think I will try the Martin rods mentioned for my next build.
by Bob Howell
Tue Sep 26, 2017 10:15 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: handy tool for a novice luthier
Replies: 4
Views: 5893

Re: handy tool for a novice luthier

So I started building guitars with a lot of tools and little space for new ones. The little straight carving knife is a real sleeper. I found endless places it could be used to finish a task or solve a problem. Years ago in a class I found carvers have several of different length and shape for diffe...
by Bob Howell
Tue Sep 26, 2017 8:47 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: handy tool for a novice luthier
Replies: 4
Views: 5893

Re: handy tool for a novice luthier

I will be at a desktop soon and continue with what I learned. Pic was from cell and I can't read it well.
by Bob Howell
Tue Sep 26, 2017 3:28 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: handy tool for a novice luthier
Replies: 4
Views: 5893

handy tool for a novice luthier

PE_20170926152127.jpg
I have accumulated a lot of tools over the years and show here ones I have used this past year learning to make guitars.
Hope the picture post properly.
by Bob Howell
Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:50 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

The lathe worked well and I have a 15' radius that is 18" round. I did not smooth the surface, as that would produce DUST, not curls.
I will make more sizes over time.

The link to the calculator site is great for checking results.

Thanks
by Bob Howell
Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:42 am
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Advice on getting dark curly maple to pop
Replies: 29
Views: 29188

Re: Advice on getting dark curly maple to pop

I have read several articles in FWW about this over the years. One I tried was black dye and then sand it off the surface. Next yellow dye and sand off. Then dye red for similar effect or color. I confess to forgetting details so you must run test to get your desires. I do remember black was first.
by Bob Howell
Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:57 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

I have a large lathe and have turned a lot of bowls up to 18". It is not a problem. I am making smaller guitars for now and will try to live with 18-19" dish.
by Bob Howell
Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:33 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

It is turning at 150 rpms now. Use it for sanding. I'm thinking I try 20" first. Experiment.
by Bob Howell
Fri Sep 15, 2017 11:33 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

I have decided to try turnibg the dish on my lathe. I have the radius dish pdf print out from the library with measurements. Don't have it to scale but plan to draw it out and cut on bs. Its on a legal sheet and I don't see a way to determine the length embedded in the drawing. 28 units across which...
by Bob Howell
Wed Aug 30, 2017 7:02 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

I have made two om guitars with the method in Cumpaino's book and looking to improve. Making a L-00 from Grellier's plans now. Think I can get decent results without dish on top but it would improve the bottom. So much to learn and tools,and jigs to make.
by Bob Howell
Wed Aug 30, 2017 3:27 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Radius Dish Help
Replies: 38
Views: 41184

Re: Radius Dish Help

Here is my adjustable radius dish. The pics are not great; I can't get to my computer to resize images right now so I had to do cell phone pics and crop them down. Despite being haistily made, it is quite functional. The circle cut out is 20". Not shown in the picture is the stop block that ge...
by Bob Howell
Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:41 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement
Replies: 24
Views: 27897

Re: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement

Glued the bridge on today. used 3mm compensation. The bracing design is light, so I will use ultralight strings as Willis recommends. I built 8-10 dulcimers 8 or nine years ago. I spent a bit of time adjusting the saddle to remove dissidence, though my instructor said it was not necessary. I liked t...
by Bob Howell
Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:35 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Truss rod choice for OM build
Replies: 27
Views: 46002

Re: Truss rod choice for OM build

David: The old single action Gotoh style Martin rod used from the mid-1980's through 2005 is an excellent truss rod, and as you suggested, is no longer in use on any Martin guitars; however the Martin rod I am suggesting is the newer (post-2005) double action truss rod in service on something like ...
by Bob Howell
Sat Aug 12, 2017 9:29 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement
Replies: 24
Views: 27897

Re: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement

I think I have it close. I will have the finish repaired this week and Then try what I have Made so far.

Thanks for the help.
by Bob Howell
Fri Aug 11, 2017 4:43 pm
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement
Replies: 24
Views: 27897

Re: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement

Did I misunderstand Cumpaino? I read it as 1/8" above bridge and then radiused to match the fretboard. That's how I got so low.
by Bob Howell
Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:46 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement
Replies: 24
Views: 27897

Re: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement

The issues discussed here about compensation and saddle height have got me digging in to design. I see Willis has provided plans for a light weight OM, using ultra light strings designed for a beginner. This is very different from Cumpaino's design. Switching back and forth between books is getting ...
by Bob Howell
Thu Aug 10, 2017 11:37 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover
Replies: 15
Views: 15330

Re: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover

fretboardrepair.jpg Here is my repair. I tried cherry but it stood out and looked like a mistake so I went with the same rose wood which blended fine. I cut a number of plugs with a plug cutter. Very tight fit so I sanded them with 120 sand paper, after beveling the edge with a carving knife. I hav...
by Bob Howell
Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:08 am
Forum: Archtop Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement
Replies: 24
Views: 27897

Re: 1st build and misunderstood bridge location measurement

I found where Cumpiano included compensation. .15 " or 4 mils as I see it. Willis called for 2 mils.
I made the saddle per Cumpaino's instructions. With a 12" radius it is only 1/16" or so on the ends.
by Bob Howell
Tue Aug 08, 2017 5:58 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover
Replies: 15
Views: 15330

Re: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover

Bob Gramann wrote:You might replace two strips of the surface wood between the frets. A little dust and CA and the seams will be all but invisible.
I'm' thinking this way after sleeping on it. One patch of the same wood inlayed. Creating some obscure design.
by Bob Howell
Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:21 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover
Replies: 15
Views: 15330

Re: Spare holes in fretboard-how to cover

Its glued on neck. I was thinking of cutting a third hole and making 3 cherries with stems. So getting a plug cutter and cutting 3 plugs of some contrasting wood. Think I'll get the plug cutter first and see what I can make. Three cherries; my brand! Would that location confuse the player?

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