Search found 23 matches

by Tom West
Wed Mar 11, 2015 2:31 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: French Polishing Oil
Replies: 2
Views: 3690

French Polishing Oil

For those who are French Polishers..........I wonder what type of oil you use? I see a few different types mentioned, mineral ,olive , walnut etc. Is there any down side to using any of these and what are the advantages of one over the others?
Tom
by Tom West
Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:58 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Resources for Wood?
Replies: 11
Views: 11647

Re: Resources for Wood?

Anyone looking for Engelmann should try Kootenay Tonewoods owned by Graham Hein. The top grades are very good wood, light, stiff, well quartered etc etc.
Tom
by Tom West
Sat Nov 08, 2014 7:33 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Purfling Bending?
Replies: 17
Views: 15097

Re: Purfling Bending?

Purflings made up of lots of bits (e.g. herringbone) are prone to falling apart if they get too wet (or wet at all). Trevor: Have heard this said many times by different folks but have not found it to be true. Every piece of herringbone I have ever installed was run under hot water for a minute or ...
by Tom West
Fri Oct 31, 2014 3:05 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Purfling Bending?
Replies: 17
Views: 15097

Re: Purfling Bending?

Gordon: For purfling on the sides I glue them to the bindings. Tape the strips together with the purfling back to back and bend in the bender. For the top, such as herringbone, they are run under hot water, and bent around a flat form, coaxed into shape with a hair dryer, then held in place with a t...
by Tom West
Mon Sep 22, 2014 8:11 pm
Forum: Glues and Finishes
Topic: Why does the nozzle on CA bottles always clog and how can I keep them from clogging?
Replies: 19
Views: 16249

Re: Why does the nozzle on CA bottles always clog and how can I keep them from clogging?

Don't use the bottle tips at all. Just buy inexpensive pipettes with narrow tips, and fill from the bottle directly. The glue in the pipettes stays liquid for days without issue. Somehow, the glue does not seem to clog the tiny tips. Don't know why. If it does, cut off 1/8" or so and keep usin...
by Tom West
Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:44 pm
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Steel Bending Slat Questions
Replies: 7
Views: 6966

Re: Steel Bending Slat Questions

Aluminum flashing...!!
Tom
by Tom West
Tue Apr 08, 2014 4:31 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Has anyone used "Super-Soft 2" veneer softener to bend sides?
Replies: 17
Views: 15469

Re: Has anyone used "Super-Soft 2" veneer softener to bend sides?

I just realized I left a question un-answered. When I glue paper to wood to help reduce split outs, I just scrape it off afterward. Neat trick to glue paper for support. Thanks for another one Alan. I have used SS2 on the last 3 sets of sides I've bent and one thing I think it helps is cross grain ...
by Tom West
Sat Dec 14, 2013 6:06 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: William Cumpiano Interview
Replies: 24
Views: 88627

Re: William Cumpiano Interview

"Soundboards should be selected for predominance and proliferation of medullary rays (“silk”) over all other factors..." Not sure I can buy this; some spruce sets I've had show perfectly vertical grain, but very little "silk. They also made great instruments. On the other hand, I've ...
by Tom West
Sun Dec 08, 2013 11:18 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Question on SG of brace wood
Replies: 3
Views: 3931

Re: Question on SG of brace wood

Pete: For me SG is not as much concern as stiffness. In a braced top most of the weight is in the plate itself, so concern about weight is not a problem if you are using the right wood. Engelmann is good bracing wood. I test my wood for stiffness by cutting to the required cross section, suspending ...
by Tom West
Fri Oct 11, 2013 3:36 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Apparently, I Need a Tutorial on Side Bending
Replies: 17
Views: 11152

Re: Apparently, I Need a Tutorial on Side Bending

Barry: I do the waist first but not all the way. Leave it up about 3/8" or so. Do the bouts and then set the waist. I think as John says it gets you tighter to the form. I also have the outer slat set up with bungee cords attached to ends rather then coil springs on the hold down slats. They te...
by Tom West
Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:26 am
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Anyone built an acoustic guitar with Macacauba?
Replies: 3
Views: 4350

Re: Anyone built an acoustic guitar with Macacauba?

Pat: I think John Arnold has had some experience with it but I'm not sure if he posts here or not. He does post on the OLF, AGF and UMGF.
Tom
by Tom West
Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:11 am
Forum: Tools and Jigs
Topic: Thinking of buying some rasps. Any input?
Replies: 21
Views: 25822

Re: Thinking of buying some rasps. Any input?

Dragon rasps from Stew-Mac. I find them to be excellent tools.
Tom
by Tom West
Sat May 18, 2013 5:27 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: fitting binding to profiled sides
Replies: 13
Views: 8751

Re: fitting binding to profiled sides

Depth of binding an important consideration..........!!
Tom
by Tom West
Fri May 17, 2013 8:48 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: migrating top
Replies: 21
Views: 11550

Re: migrating top

Ryan: Some folks advocate for leaving out the popsicle brace. I don't and it is because of this type of disaster. I do shorten the brace but make sure it goes at least 1/2" or so past the O.D. of the sound hole on either side. For this to happen the glue line on the UTB had to fail so if you ar...
by Tom West
Sat Mar 30, 2013 5:22 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Technique to align and reattach guitar back?
Replies: 19
Views: 14782

Re: Technique to align and reattach guitar back?

John: You may be creating your own problem. The elaborate jig may be too low where it pushes in and is causing the sides to buckle outward. At least that would be my guess.
Tom
by Tom West
Sun Mar 10, 2013 6:58 am
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Groove in the bridge? Or the pin?
Replies: 6
Views: 4745

Re: Groove in the bridge? Or the pin?

Another Mario trick .................slot the bridge so that pins can be pulled under full string tension. That means pins are just filling the hole. String balls are pulling fully on the bridge plate. Less damage around hole.
Tom
by Tom West
Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:55 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: $64 Question
Replies: 6
Views: 5032

Re: $64 Question

Both ways can give excellent results. But I prefer to fret after gluing. Reason............?? If freted before gluing you have two surfaces that have to be true before you glue on the board. Fretting after and you have one surface to worry about after gluing. Easier for me.
Tom
by Tom West
Fri Jan 04, 2013 10:06 pm
Forum: Wood and Materials Q&A
Topic: Where do you get brace wood?
Replies: 23
Views: 17667

Re: Where do you get brace wood?

Alaska Specialty Woods and Brent are top drawer......!!!
Tom
by Tom West
Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:27 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: East Indian Rosewood thickness suggestions
Replies: 2
Views: 3446

Re: East Indian Rosewood thickness suggestions

Of all the woods EIR is one of the easiest to bend.
Tom
by Tom West
Mon Aug 06, 2012 1:36 pm
Forum: Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars and Bass Guitars
Topic: Source for Super Soft 2 in Canada
Replies: 1
Views: 2767

Source for Super Soft 2 in Canada

Does any one know of a source for Super Soft 2 in Canada...?
Tom

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