Official Luthiers Forum!

i have recently received a new staly plane, and i was wondering if anyone had some wonderfully brillant advice on setting it up perfect for joining backsand tops?

thanks

ricky.

i have been tinkering the last few days and im not sure eye-balling the blade to check for true is the correct way, i dont want to burn up my hoduran mahogany and bear claw siltka on plane that isnt trust worthy.

ricky.

Ricky, pick up a piece of spruce or poplar that is wider then your plane. Adjust your plane and have a go at the wood. If you don't get a curly that isn't the full width of your blade, adjust it in the appropriate direction. Test and adjust until you are satisfied with the results.

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Aoibeann

Ricky,
And check out the Video and Picture Tutorial Section here on the OLF. There is a tutorial on setting up a plane that is currently positioned near the bottom of the first page.
Have fun,

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George :-)

great idea thanks,

well at least does anyone have advice for a budding scratch builder?

im designing my own body shape, depth etc. and building straight from quartered wood.

ricky.

There is no reason you can't design your own guitar. And if you want to go this route, I'd suggest you spend time reading and re-reading Jonathan Natelson and William Cumpiano's book Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology: A Complete Reference for the Design & Construction of the Steel-String Folk Guitar & the Classical Guitar. There is an entire section on drawing up your guitar plans.

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Aoibeann

Designing your own for a first build is a mistake that I've seen many newcomers make. It hardly ever turns out successful. I have a hardheaded friend who is currently doing this and it is very frustrating. He completely doesn't appreciate the issues of neck angle, scale length, etc. He has made two necks so far. One was too long and one was too short. I'm starting to think that he doesn't have a ruler.

Build from an established design with a good plan and book.

well i guess im in that hardheaded group because i am going ahead with designing my guitar. only thing left i have to design is the bridge shape and decide on the scale length. I also was concerned with nut and saddle size (i am going to make a extra large laminated bone nut and saddle)

i have been working on this for at least the last year and i am confident i can make a decent guitar my first build. sure it might not be a master piece but it will be somewhere for me to start.

for the most part i was wanting to design the body size and neck shape. along with scale length. i have yet to build the mold and i am just waiting for my great uncle to let me borrow his portable band saw.

i am crazy excited!!!

ricky.