Official Luthiers Forum!

Although it makes me sad to watch people ignore all PPE…

https://youtu.be/AvG_gPnfbcc

That belt sander set up for sanding the top. Never seen that before. (6:45)

I wonder why he attached the top plates to a piece of sacrificial plywood to cut out the top shape on the bandsaw. (0:45)

I also like that template used to locate and hold the braces in position for gluing. (2:23)

All those special purpose machines were pretty cool. It would have been interesting to see how they install the binding and purfling.

_________________
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Yeah, there a few nifty things. I liked the press fit spreader that folds in the middle, neat. And man do I wish Royal Lac brushed on the way whatever that stuff is.

I’m wondering if it could be a water-based varnish. I’m planning to try Saman water-based varnish on my guitar, which the seller (a Canadian company, Solo Guitars) assures me can be applied with a brush or pad, and is self-leveling. I’m not set up for spraying, and I definitely want to stay away from nitrocellulose lacquer.

https://www.solomusicgear.com/product/saman-waterbased-varnish-236ml/

A pair of well oiled machines. Would love to see a more in depth video.

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

I am amazed he still has any hearing left.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Yes, its tragic. Plus the number of times he’s sneezing in the background. PPE, people!

sounds interesting! My experiences with waterborne have been less than optimum, with the exception of KTM-SV which I don’t think is a thing anymore. A lot of people are using Target EM6000, and I think Endurovar, but always interested in new options!

I would suggest to you to do some test panels before the big show…

Of course. I specifically inquired about the product, and the person replied that he had used it successfully on acoustic guitars, but of course I’ll test it first.

PPE aside, it really is a testament to human ingenuity. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Interesting video and ingenious solutions to manufacturing. Wonder what the deal is with the guitar he was putting a bridge on, looked like a picture of Mao on it and no sound hole.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

That was very cool. I learned something too, a simple straight stick to align the tuners, brilliant. I loved those old cloths pin like clamps for the kerfed lining too. I wonder how many guitars they produce a year. Also noticed that they use what looks like CA to glue the bridge to to the finished top but I could not figure out how they placed the bridge.

Been using a 6" steel rule to line up tuners forever. Bet we all have lots of simple tricks like that. Need to share those somehow.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Yeah i love how they’re surrounded by sophisticated tooling, but use a piece of snapped off brace stock to align the tuners…

We have a thread for that http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=54895

Forgot about that one.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

There are no wasted motions.....

Very interesting, but odd, video. The construction is very industrial and seemingly set up for assembly line construction. There are massive tools and hydraulics would sit idle most of the time with just two middle age plus workers. Not to mention there are dozens of guitars waiting at each station. It doesn’t make sense to me.

I suspect the factory has a dozen or more workers who were cleared out for the video shoot. One highly skilled senior employee was asked to demonstrate the steps. That seems the most plausible to me.

Very interesting, nonetheless. Where is this factory? Where are these guitars sold under what brand?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You’re probably right!

Maybe the rest of the workers are tangping.
Probably the weekend and the old school just can't get used to a 5 day work week.
The level of tooling sophistication reminded me of the Martin operation back in the 70's when workers were still using a draw knife (quite skillfully!) to rough out guitar necks. The Martin plant was better organized and a bit cleaner.

I use a saddle blank. just long enough, and enough surface area to allow you a good firm press to level them out before committing to the drill step. FYI... I use pretty beefy bone blanks, not the pre-shaped plastic ones, or the 1/8" factory style.