Franks has a new page at http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/ Its a metal working page with a lot of good tips if your into machining too....Mike
Type: Posts; User: fishtownmike
Franks has a new page at http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/ Its a metal working page with a lot of good tips if your into machining too....Mike
I have looked at both of these. Maybe someday I will splurge and buy one of them. That is a hefty price tag for bot and not sure I can justify it right now. >>>mike
Here is a couple of youtube videos that shows these clamps in use. I originally got the idea from the Teeter book and made some out of wood. This guy used some type of plastic....
I don't have a tv or even a radio in the shop. I get distracted to easy. I have a laptop that I keep stored away for when I need to look up something important. If i'm doing a repair and run into a...
This can occur with wood shrinkage over time. And on cheaper instruments it can be just poor craftsmanship. I have an Eastman too and after owning it for a while I have found all kinds of issues from...
Mandolin Magazine! Whats up with this magazine. Is it still in publication? I subscribed on Sept 23 and received a confirmation but nothing since. I chose to start with the current issue at that time...
I use these grommets too. I bought a bag of them since you loose some of them when you break strings. They are hard to find when that happens.
I picked up and Eastman and like AndyAPB the first thing I noticed was the rough F holes and finish imperfections. But I kind expected things like that on these Asians instruments. Don't be fooled...
Craigslist is becoming a scary website anymore. It's heaven for the criminal element. With so many crimes related to this site I'm afraid to answer an ad from this site anymore. There have been a few...
Yes just hook both matching strings to the same post and you will be okay.
I read that article in the gal and found that method very interesting. Haven't tried it yet.
I have been using the titebond brand ca that's made specifically for wood. It works well as far a I have seen. I'm not a giant ca user. I use it sparingly for repairs and such. I have no desire to...
I use a piece of black pipe and a charcoal starter. Got the idea on the web years ago. It works great. I also didn't want to use the blow torch method for safety reasons too.
I own 4 of the convex ones that I got somewhere else then stew Mac. I also picked up a large flat bottomed one used on eBay. They are nice planes to have. The quality is great. Don't be fooled into...
I have did work on many 200 dollar instrument. I don't make much off of them and I don't go overboard with repairs because it is a 200 dollar instrument. Sometimes the person who brings one into me...
I have found that doing it by hand doesn't really take much longer taking in consideration of setting up the router. I have also found it safer for the instrument too. I have used the router methods...
When it comes to musical instruments it would be pretty hard to make them unserviceable like the electronics of today. But they really don't have to do this to make more profits. Their method is to...
I had numerous secrets method of doing things. Or at least I thought I did. I then starting associating with a some other builders and after visiting their shops and seeing some of their methods I...
I think epoxy should be illegal to buy for the average person. It's one of the most abused glues around. Makers advertise it as the cure all for every repair project. The average person doesn't...
The technical name for these instruments are mandolin banjos and not a banjolin. A banjolin has only 4 strings. I have done a few of these and found it better to use skin heads since many of these...
If your new instrument building I would say start to with Titebond or another quality wood glue. It's more forgiven if your a beginner. You can practice on the side with scrap wood and hide glue...
I'm gonna second or third the shellac burn in sticks. It's amazing how much these things were used on instruments and fine furniture. The material actually sands well and will not soften or...
I haven't used persimmon yet but have been thinking about it. I just am not to thrilled about it's color for fingerboards. Has anyone used this dyed black to mimic ebony? If so what type of dye did...
I use a few violin knives. I also use a couple of the Flexcut brand carving knifes. I like their detail and roughing knives....Mike
I just read this issue. I wish they would of had a picture of the finished instrument.