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Well I got home this morning from work... I sharpened my trusty 1/2 inch chisel in anticipation of doing some brace shaping. I then started heating up my hot pot for some hide glue when I realized that this was one of the most beautiful mornings I had seen in a really long time, so, I picked up my guitar (my first) and I went to sit with my feet hanging over the deck of my empty pool and I must of played guitar for close to an hour with the hot sun beating down upon my face. Glorious!... Then I went to bed.

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

I actually do enjoy sharpening, even by freehand.I do, however, check the edges on my skin,not hair-none to spare- so I sometimes end up with lots of little cuts on my right thumb.For some reason I have always tested that way and it does tell the tale. I swear, I have never whipped myself or performed any other self mutilation. I have had to do some ugly self administered surgery in the outdoors a few times. I'm just wierd.MT

[QUOTE=FrankC] I finally wrapped up a huge negotiation and then let my boss have it via email about his lack of ability...Oh wait...you mean guitar building?   

I refilled the humidifier   

This is a good topic. I often wonder the same thing[/QUOTE]

OHMYGOD! My twin!    I knew I'd find you!
I paid my taxes (under ordinariy circumstances, the preceeding phrase would have been followed with an obscene tirade. Current rules on this forum prevent that. If you DO want the full text of this message, please feel free to PM me! I have to unload on someone!) (Oh, please remind me in my next life to avoid children, wives etc.) this week and I am not only drained, I am well... draaiinneedd!

Hey, I guess you can't take it with you but I'd like to have a little of it while I'm still here!!!

Regards, Steve (the charity case ) Brown

I started the scalpel carving on my latest rose, this is the bit that transforms it from fretwork to a rose. Just the initial primary facet on the outer ring so far. It's a matter of gradual refinement until the final profile is reach for each bar.





Colin
With just the template stuck on and the holes cut out with a jewellers saw bladeColin S38831.4950231481

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Here's an update with a few more hours work, strting to look a bit more like a rose now.



Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

[QUOTE=azimmer1] Yesterday.
A mix
9 hours of cardiac surgery on a neonate....doing fine!!!!!
1 hour in the evening gluing the lining on an all koa guitar, some dish
radiusing as well

[/QUOTE]

Yeah, thats the good stuff!!!!
Cheers
Charliewood

Colin, this is just marvelous workmanship sir!

That is impressive Colin. Do you begin that process with a scroll saw?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

[QUOTE=old man] That is impressive Colin. Do you begin that process with a scroll saw?

Ron[/QUOTE]

No Ron, I start by gluing a paper template on the top and drilling into the corners of the voids with a very fine drill. Then, using the blade from a jewellers saw, the sort that is used to cut pearl, I pass that through and with a hand above and below holding the blade tight saw out the unwanted wood, I use a board with a 30mm hole in it to support the top. When that's done the template is carefully sanded off and you start in with the scalpels.

It's a slow job but very therapeutic. My really complicated ones can take as long to do as the rest of the lute!

ColinColin S38829.1999537037

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Very impressive work Colin, do you have some pics of the process? it sure looks challenging and rewarding!

Wow! I am impressed. I've got to try that, I have a jeweler's saw and a scroll saw. All I'm lacking is talent.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron, with what i saw from your first, you're not short of talent, time maybe but not talent

Colin, that is amazing! Can't wait to see what it will look like with a nice sunburst .

Speaking of which; here's how my F5 is looking so far. Hand rubbed water based dyes, air brushed anilines around the perimeter, sprayed shellac finish (my first). It is not as dark as the picture suggests, the wood actually shows through everywhere. It still needs final levelling and buffing after some curing time. I'm not sure how it will hold up, the finish is quite thin, but it is relatively easy to apply as long as you can avoid runs.

Back:

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Front:

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

The whole thing:

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Beauty!
Charliewood

Been burning the midnight oil in the shop for a couple days, now. Making good progress, though. Let`s see, fitted sides for #4 into the mold, made my binding jig (stiil scared to try it where it counts by the way), closed up box #3, set and trued up neck on #3, installed truss rods on all 3 necks, made binding for all 3. Oh yeah, Played with photoshop for awhile and posted pic for Hesh.
No wonder my hands are sore today!
Arnt, Love that classy F5!

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

Arnt, just lovely and beautiful mandolin there! I'm a bit of a mandolin player myself and had a chance to try one of Mario's which sounded REALLY great BTW, looking at yours made me wonder what the sound will be like, did you use maple for the back and sides? if so, i'll bet it will sound great too!

Do you have a recording set up so we could hear how she sound when completed? An F5 mandoliN is on my list of future projects also thus explaining all my questions!

TIA

Serge

Woohooo! 4 uninterrupted hours in the shop today! No building but did a major makeover (for the shop, not me!). Added a circuit, rearranged the big tools, installed air filter, hooked up dust collector, cleaned, got lots more space. I feel much better now!





Tomorrow I start cutting out forms for the kids' Terz.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Thanks guys!

Serge, yes the back and sides are big leaf maple that I got from Larry Davis a couple of years ago. Sorry, my recording equipment has not yet entered this millium! I will get into it one of these days...

Burbank, good looking shop. Looks like a fine place to make some saw dust.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Thanks Arnt, keep us updated on the sound1

Pat, one neat shop, it'll be more efficient and fun for you huh? Way to go!

Great thread!
Some day when i get off my lazy butt ill have something to add

Its been an overly loaded spring for me and my family so far, Ive had little time in the shop. That said, I expect to get the 12 fret dread back this week from Tony, I am hoping to wrap it up and deliver it by early June, that is when the case is due to arrive. In the works are 3 more that are in verious stages, Id like to catch them all up with each other and try to finish them in a batch. Well see --

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