MIMF

Got it.

Tom, I just bought a new calf skin for my banjo mandolin (previous topic) from StewMac. It is way bigger than I need. Would you like me to mail you a piece of scrap to use for patching those holes?

Thanks Paul. All good advice. I like your "stick adjuster". If I resort to that I'll have to saw 1/4" off the stick because it is currently mortised into the pot about that far.

The angle of the dowel stick on this early 1920's Ditson "Victory" Vega banjo/mandolin is way off. I'd like to correct it. How do I steam, soak, or heat the dowel out of the heel without separating the 2 piece neck and fingerboard? I definitely want to preserve the original dowel stick...

This is the third Concertone (Montgomery Ward's) "parlor" size guitar that I have come across now. This one would have been the top of the line in their 1920's lineup of mail order catalog guitars with mahogany 2 piece back and sides and straight tight spruce grain top with MOP inlays in t...

I've worked with fir a lot over the years in my finish carpentry work. It is very difficult to work with. It is brittle, splintery, unstable, and definitely not suitable for the making of musical instruments!

So here it is... http://home.mpinet.net/~timmyhaha/concertone13.jpg The soft basswood neck is now straight and with the one CF rod down the middle has ,so far, not deflected at all when brought up to pitch with a set of .011-.052 strings. This basket case was described by the seller as a "wall ...

I was just going to put one in the middle.

Okay, I have some 1/8" X 3/8" carbon fiber rod to inlay into the neck. Should I use a 1/8" bit for a tight press fit or a 3/16" bit for enough room for glue?

Mark, you're right. I am amazed at how much the wood sprang back! A little light sanding and it'll look good as new.
Tom, where would I find some of that carbon rod? Stew Mac?

Well, I did manage to wiggle the neck off without heat or steam but not very cleanly I'm afraid. I am not dealing with old brittle dried out original hide glue but, rather, the mindless mangling of a previous moron who had apparently used a combination of everything from jb weld to monkey snot tryin...

Thanks Michael, I believe I will try your technique especially since no one here has offered any better advice so far. That first earlier Concertone was my very first neck re-set. Your input was very valuable in helping me pull that one off successfully. That was an unbound neck. I think this one ma...

Some of you guys gave me a lot of helpful information and advice on the Montgomery Ward's mail order Concertone guitar in this thread and I really do appreciate and thank you for it: http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2654 I have just acquired another one that needs a lot of work. Her...

Thanks Mark, yes I was very relaxed...half drunk would be more accurate. I do wish I would have straightened that neck while I had it off. The hypodermic needles are for available at farm and home type stores that carry veterinary supplies like Tractor Supply Co. http://www.tractorsupply.com/ I boug...

Well, I managed to successfully re-set the neck with no problems. I made an iron based on the Stewmac one in the catalog but unlike theres mine only cost a couple of bucks and is heavier. The cappucino machine came from a thrift store for $2.50 and the hypodermic syringe came from Tractor Supply for...

How long should a mixed batch of glue be good for if kept regrigerated? Nor frozen but kept at about 40 degrees?

While I'm still trying to gear up and get enough nerve to do a neck reset on the old 'Concertone'... http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2654 ...another interesting old guitar comes my way from a different branch of the family... http://home.mpinet.net/~timmyhaha/raghounds.jpg The top ...

I think my wife's uncle may have the original photograph which might show better detail than this scan we lifted off their geneological web page. I just now e-mailed him about it but may not hear back for a few days because of family matters. Meanwhile I have done a few basic repairs. The top is in ...

The white binding would probably be celluloid you think? If so I wonder how it has held up so well?

Getting ready for my first attempt at brewing up a batch of hide glue: