Official Luthiers Forum!

is there a set of plans for building a steam producer or what do I use to take the mandolin apart? I have a hand held torch or will a household steam iron work? thanks jim

Do you have an old cappucino maker? They work perfectly - clamp a hose onto the "milk frother"attachment and you've got a steamer, perfect for loosening necks, etc.

+1 to what Corky wrote. I use the StewMac steamer tube and tip with my milk frother.

StewMac hose/needle here

Of course others have used a heat resistant tube from your local auto parts store and a basketball(or other ball) air needle.

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Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

I use a krupp espresso machine I picked up at a thrift store for $8. And I bought some high pressure hose at the car parts store and a football/basketball inflation needle and some small hose clamps.

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Another day, another dollar.

I use a wallpaper stripper, a flexible rubber hose with a needle from a football pump for doing neck resets, I'm sure it's overkill as the coffee maker sounds perfect, but it's what I had to hand when i did my first reset.
I haven't had the need to use steam for anything else, but some luthiers will use it for gluing on backs and sides with hide glue. Here's an advocate. http://www.thestrad.com/pdfs/hamtradesecrets.pdf

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http://www.bobmatthewsguitars.co.uk

Some folks use special gloves when working with steam.I used them when bending long arm bows for making chairs.Steam burns are nasty.I speak from experience.

Yeah Ernie is right about burns. I burned myself slightly when I first started experimenting with the espresso machine.I don't know if my gloves are special but I just wear these smooth leather work gloves that I have....Mike

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Another day, another dollar.

I use my wife's Iron with the steam burst option. I know it doesn't get into all the little places, but I sure enjoy watching her freak out that I'm using her iron.

Old cappicino machine! if you really need steam.

Personally i only use steam on delicate vintage insturments, or for neck removal.

Mix up a glass of hot water, denatured alcohol, & a couple drops of dish soap and inject it into the seam with a syringe. Or wet the kerfing & glue from the inside. Im not talking about soaking it, just enough to soften the glue a bit.

Take your time with a couple of disassembly knives (stew mac) or pallette knives from art supply store. Work slowly and watch where your tool is going.

As always it's best to practice on a couple of junkers 1st.