Official Luthiers Forum!

I was reading the post on hammering frets over the body of the guitar and was struck by all the different approaches. What really interrrested me, however, was that LMI is comming out with the Fret Dolly and Stew Mac just came out with their bar clamp based press. Lately, is seem like every new cool tool or gadget is being gobbled up by the luthier supply houses and commercialized.

I think this is great! An LMI or StewMac catalog just might be the best way to learn about all the different tips and techniques. One of my favorite new tools is the graduated scale for marking the slots in a nut. I first read about this on Frank Ford's site. Frank attributed it to someone else. The next thing I know, StewMac is selling them.

I like that nut slot ruler as well. I think the credit for that one goes to Kevin Ryan if I remember right.

JoshJosh H38544.3772106481

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Does anyone remember ( I am sure most do) when Stew Mac had "shop talk" / Notes as part of their catalogue? I used to save them as there were some great tips in there. Then they came out with the Shop Talk video series which I think ended with #5 and of course they have their shop talk books as well. I used to look forward to each new catalogue because of the tips. Now I look forward to the new tools and a smaller bank balance. Word to the wise buy those tools if you can afford them...they come and then go... and always when you really need one.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

years ago lmi put out a catalogue/how to book in a loose leaf binder that you had to buy and which they updated from time to time. it was virtually a how to book for the beginner, and the not so beginner too. pity they dropped the idea.crazymanmichael38544.4498263889

I have one of those. It is a good book.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Yeah those shoptalk tapes were excellant.To bad they quit making them!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

The LMI "catalog" is indeed a gem. I managed to snag one on eBay for $20. I was a happy camper. :)

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

what is also interesting is to look back at the products they once, but no longer, offered. i wonder whether those which have fallen by the wayside did so because they were not good enough, or commercially not marketable enough.

then there are things like the excellent s-m deep reach bridge and crack clamps with support feet. some time ago went from being solid steel bar to pressed sheet metal, and totally useless for the way i use them. when i discovered this the hard way by trying to order some more of the old ones to be told they were discontinued, i tried int'l luthier supplies in tulsa who also used to carry a similar clamp, also to be told their supplier had also ceased making them.

i know at one point harbor freight even had them, quality unknown but obviously questionable, but they no longer do either.

does anyone know where these things are still available?crazymanmichael38544.7901736111

I suspect that stewmac, lmi, and the other firms are buying this stuff from a variety of manufacturers and it is probably difficult when suppliers go out of business, move on to other things, etc.

That is why I suspect a lot of products have fallen by the way side.

I remember seeing a Schneider rosette cutter in the LMI catalog long ago that used a blade. It looked well built and very handy. I don't see anything like it on the market today.

I firmly belive that sometimes you need to get while the gettin's good.

:-)

Re your clamp thing... did you call StewMac and ask them about where you could find more of the "old ones"?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

those are the ones. i modifiy them a bit to make it easier to get more into the hole and onto the brace. and the mod can't be done to the replacement product even if i didnt have an aversion to cheap nasty tools which replace good ones.

have spoken to stew-mac and others with no joy.         &n bsp;
had a forlorn hope someone might know if a vender with a stash left.

haven't figured out plan c yet.crazymanmichael38545.6941087963

I had a brief conversation with Don MacRostie about how tools come and then go. A lot of tools are "replaced" by New tools that do the job "better". Others are let go because they don't sell and still others because sometimes they simply can't get someone to make them at their required quantity ( be it high or low) with consistant quality. StewMac (and LMI I am sure)are very Quality conscious. Sometimes things are let go because of user input...ya know " hey this is great but if you did this..." A good example would be the Diamond inpregnated Straight edge bars ( can't remember exact name). I thought they were great...people complained the diamonds lost their cutting edge...so you now have the same bar but you must attach self stick sand paper to it. The Floyd Rose Nut cutting jig is one that was just let go...I assume because people aren't doing alot of FR retro fits these days ( man I sure could use that jig!). ANYWAY like I said...BUY THE TOOL NOW...IT MA BE GONE...soon.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Here is the new replacement I like better.



This is one of John Hall's creations at Blues Creek Guitars. Gives you lots of room to deal with squeeze out.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

i put a bit of a bend on the clamping end; one to the left and one to the right. it allows a number clamps to get on the brace but the width is only the width of the bars and the brace. using different lengths you can get a bunch in the sound hole and they line up neatly; they don't have to be splayed to get past each other. the idea isn't mine and i don't remember where i saw it. may have been on frets.com but i'm not sure.

i use a rare earth magnet for the line up when the hole gets too congested.

the stamped sheet metal stuff would just crumple if you bent it.

Michael,
I'm sure you already thought of this, -why don't you just make them?
Some bar stock,propane torch,tap and a couple of screws.
Probably could make 3 of 'em in an hour or two...

making them was looking like it was going to have to be plan c. been pondering how to ensure the two holes for the clamping pads are concentric; think i have a plan worked out.

but as for the propane torch, forget it; takes too long. if i had to i'd use the oxy, but the forge will be much easier and faster. haven't fired it up in over four years. will be looking to doing at least ten or twelve of them in different lengths if i have to make them myself to make the time worth while.

Michael,
I would have suggested that but I had no idea you were into forgery!

i'm found out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I first made the Compound Radius System I did some posting and sent some emails to see what kind of market was out there. I got several responses back saying not to sell to the supply houses because it would be priced a lot higher. From what you all are saying, maybe that is the best way.

Craig, you ARE a supply house...