MIMF

If you already had a larger compressor, I think the Iwata would be a decent deal at about $430 for bursts and some instrument work, but although the SATA and Iwata guns claim to sip air, they are all happier with a larger tank and good filter/dryer/regulator system. Sure - you can spray with a panca...

SATA has an HVLP gun for turbines? Sure we are not confusing conversion guns (e.g., HP/LV compressed air converted to LP/HV air flow in the gun) with turbine guns (HV/LP provided by turbine external to the gun)?

AllParts sells 5/64" (2mm) red styrene rod stock...about 30" worth runs $8.

192g high clarity hide glue is made from pig skins and has no real odor. Regular 192g, 256g, and 315g have a definite odor, but I've never found it objectionable unless the glue pot cooks dry... LMI White was a good glue for drying clear, but no longer in production. Titebond adds dye to their glue ...

Try this: - After the back and top are fitted, mark the plates with the body edge location - Trim to 1/16"-1/8" outside that line - Close the box using a top caul (protects edge from clamp and go-bar marks) - Rout with flush trim bit I don't know of any reason to leave 3/8" or 1/2&quo...

Glad to see things working out. Most of the issues I've seen on mahogany, walnut, and various acacias like koa are exhaustion of the small amount of water used before the package becomes too hot and dry (it's a balancing act between too much water and fiber collapse, and too little and case hardenin...

Or just properly shape and dress the fret ends and get max playable fret length.

I think I would look at other plastics glues that are not full of acetone - specifically, glues such as IPS Weld-On #1829 which handles plastics, wood, and other materials. Unlike Duco, Weld-On formulas are primarily methylene chloride, so less swelling and potential for shrinkage. If the plastic ca...

Fab template in 1/4" hardboard with a nice Powerpoint oval (dimensions are displayed, so not hard to get it right...use the scale function on printer to address any error on output), and use a pattern bit in the router table, or as mentioned, just sand to the line with a spindle sander or drum ...

It seems like we are the luthiers of last resort in our area, so see lots of really bad, previously repaired Gibson and Epi necks that require extraordinary measures. This is the third iteration of the jig, done after realizing I had accumulated four necks worth of splining work in a week's time a f...

If the break is on the neck in the transition area between shaft and headstock, a back strap may not be all that effective without a major change in neck contour. I usually use grafts and straps for a break on the head stock itself. For a break in the transition area of the neck, which is common on ...

Starbond is available on Amazon... about $40 for a pint post-paid. Peter: BSI accelerator in the brown bottle does not affect lacquer - the carrier is naphtha or similar light petroleum-based product. GluBoost accelerator if applied without allowing it to build up on surface (in other words, as a mi...

CA gets thicker and takes longer to kick as it ages. I used to buy pint bottles from Starbond, and recently found what remained of a bottle of medium in the garage fridge (not cleaned out so often because pretty much just beer, wine, and water)...still good after about seven years. These days, I jus...

Chemicals and mordants...

http://www.woodfinishingenterprises.com/dyes.html

I tend to work in some very abrasive woods like anigre, so carbide makes a lot of sense for me. Same with resinous woods like coco - carbide may take a .050 or so kerf, but handles resin build-up a lot better than steel or bimetal (and ceramic guides work nicely for the job, as well). For the more u...

Not Gal plans - MIMF...aging brain syndrome and up too late watch us get our butt kicked in beach by the Brazilians. Other than some missing details on the neck construction, the MIMF plans are pretty good for shape and trim details. Agree it's a moving target - and Weissenborn construction was neve...

Does he need to worry about joining the rings under the fretboard if the fretboard will cover the joint? Seems like it's easier to a) measure the ring's thickness/width of layup, mill channels, and glue in with hide, TB, or (with shellac seal) thin CA...no issue with getting the diameter correct. Ha...

There's no need for the plunge base...lock the depth where required, or using ...for a shallow cut like a rosette channel, there's no danger of the tool thing off...a standard circle-cutting base allows the bit to be started under the fretboard and continued around the hole. Rout to .040" -.050...

Epoxy filler under vinyl sealer under nitro works under clears and colors for me. Will use epoxy or shellac on woods that do not need pore filler where it pops the grain. Also have been working with Endure-Var WB for necks...experimenting with epoxy pore fill under the Enduro-Var versus extra coats ...

Other than the dust, WRC is super easy to resaw with conventional blades, and if you get a whole bunch of nice-looking tops, keep the best for the personal stash and sell A and lower three-packs on Ebay for $90. A few hours of labor and 50 tops out the door bootstraps you to that slightly used Itali...