MIMF

Hi Bob, 4. Glue & screw the 3/4 x 3/4" maple bar on the end of the lower wedge, and then drill & tap it for the 1/4-20 eye screw. You may wish to use a metal threaded insert instead of tapping the threads directly in the wood. If you change the design slightly such that the screw is par...

I'd read about something similar in a recent GAL magazine, braces separating from the top on plywood basses. The fix was to increase the gluing area by applying a fabric patch over the brace that extended some distance over the plate. Fabric was linen coated with hide glue stippled tight to the wood...

You also have to bend the bindings. Just like the sides, going thicker makes bending much more difficult, more likely to crack or buckle.

The current edition of American Lutherie has an article by Jeffrey Yong on the beveled arm rest and the scoop cutaway that I thought was very interesting. Includes good photo's showing 'how to'...

Hi Steve,
To your question about charcoal lighters: output is usually 500W. You can use a standard light dimmer switch for control as they're typically rated for 600W.
Good luck...

Hi Bill,
Sometimes the problem is the binding wood itself, how it was cut. Look at the broken end of the wood: if the break is any steeper than say 30 degrees it's got too much runout for bending by hand.
Good luck...

Hi Steve,
Brilliant. I'd imagine a car trunk makes a good kiln in the summer!

I checked a bit into the history of sandpaper. Seems mass production of sandpaper was developed in the early 19th century. I'd guess that prior to that it would have been a much different discussion, scraper vs. sandpaper (or glass paper as it was). Can you imagine making your own sandpaper? Or mayb...

Hi Craig,
It could be you need a bit more relief, the problem on the nut end of the string. Try putting a capo at the 6th fret and see if the problem goes away.
Good luck...

Hi DJ, I'd suggest checking out what's wrong with your current setup before building a new one. On your next build, clamp the guitar body into place and, instead of installing the router bit and collar, install a 6" length of steel dowel into the collet (router unplugged!!!). Your setup should ...

Hi Martin,

If you have a known design, there's a technique using wax as a mask that may be useful... check out how Ukranian Easter eggs are made on line. Will it work with lacquer, I don't know.

Good luck...

Hi Brad,
Sand the underside of the bridge as well right before gluing. The glue will penetrate better.
Good luck...

Hi Mario, That's correct. One thing to note is that the start winding is low voltage regardless of whether you choose to run at the low or the high voltage. What you'll end up with is one 'L' (right in the picture) going to a run winding, the other 'L' (left) going to the other run winding and a sta...

Hi Mario,

If you want to try wiring for 220V: 1. measure resistance L to L, 2. remove the left jumper bar completely. 3. undo the right jumper bar and connect it across the two top terminals. If your L-L resistance is now 4 times higher you're good to go.

Good luck...

Hi Steven, The little building is brick so I need to ventilate through the roof. I'd start by getting a couple of estimates from masons to put a hole through the brick. By the time you add the time involved and cost of extra ducting, a roof vent and roof repairs, having your vent installed by profes...

Hi Steven, One possible that you didn't mention was heat. How warm does the wood get when buffing? I mention this because you can bake out moisture in 1/16" wood pretty quickly, and the wood will later swell as it returns to it's pre-baked moisture content. What looks like glue lines sinking ma...

Hi Louie, If you do pursue testing this bridge design can I make a suggestion? Try limiting the scope of your testing. The tests that Alan described have a very general scope, like the affect of string height or break angle on ANY guitar. Fact is, you're dealing with a guitar that has (if I remember...

Hi, When a challenge is limited to 'acoustic' or 'tele' a lot of members aren't geared up to participate. I'd suspect that a very general rule like 'indigenous woods' or 'recycled materials' would make for more participation. Prizes? For hobbyists like myself the chance to exchange ideas and feedbac...

Hi Gerry,
Is there anything else connected to that 15A circuit?