New edition of Loar plans

**HoGo** · Jan-24-2009, 4:05pm

Hello guys,
I received several requests about availability of my plans so here is the news.
I'm currently finishing work on new updated edition. Basicly the new drawing work is done... All I need to do is decide what size of paper will be best (the large sheets were nice for framing but shipping was hell) and which views will be shown. I've got a weekor two till I assemble PDFs for printing...
I'd love to hear from you, owners or just Loar nuts, what would you like to see in updated plans. And what needs to be corrected etc...
So far, no one mentioned an error. Though I found several typos and a forgotten fingerboard side-dot on 12th fret.
Thanks for your opinions!

**D.E.Williams** · Jan-24-2009, 4:44pm

I'd love to see a detail of the scroll area, with measurements. Maybe an orthographic view of that section so that one can easily see where the scroll ramp begins and ends, as well as the correct thickness of the top and back in that area. Some basic dimensions of the instrument wouldn't be amiss either.
Looking forward to the new plans! Thanks...

**Hans** · Jan-24-2009, 4:51pm

I just drew one in!

AZ fer ax th typs, I kant reed anwai.

What's the updates, Adrian?

**buddyellis** · Jan-24-2009, 4:53pm

I've got a set of the old plans and I think they're great! One think I'd love to have is a PDF instead of prints (I have converted the original prints into PDF->DXF for my own use in creating templates, etc) although I can understand the potential fear of redistribution.

**D.E.Williams** · Jan-24-2009, 7:39pm

Originally Posted by buddyellis

I've got a set of the old plans and I think they're great! One think I'd love to have is a PDF instead of prints (I have converted the original prints into PDF->DXF for my own use in creating templates, etc) although I can understand the potential fear of redistribution.

I hear you there! I'm redrawing my plans (not from Adrian's drawings) into my CAD system to be able to rough out the plates and cut assembly forms and such with my cnc. It's a ton of work, but I sorta enjoy it.

**Michael Lewis** · Jan-24-2009, 11:51pm

Adrian, I think whatever size of paper that you find easy to use is the one you should go with. As long as you can get the entire front or back view (largest view) on the page you would be OK. It is a complicated structure and you have done well putting it on paper. As long as all the information is there I think no one will complain. I say this from the perspective of shop use and ease of handling in the shop. Larger pages are more cumbersome to handle but make great wall coverings.

**Joel Thomas** · Jan-25-2009, 1:12am

Originally Posted by Michael Lewis

Larger pages are more cumbersome to handle but make great wall coverings.

This. Not sure how possible it is to offer two sizes, but your previous edition has been an incredible boon to my shop's walls. Would also love to have access to .pdf.

**Dale Ludewig** · Jan-25-2009, 6:58am

Adrian, I have the first set. They're great! I think that page size is just fine. The first thing I did when I got them was have them laminated so I wouldn't damage them. I think that is something to consider. Not every place that laminates can do something that large but I found one locally. "maybe" you could consider offering that as an option- prelaminated and shipped in a tube. For an added cost of course. Just a thought.

**Stephanie Reiser** · Jan-25-2009, 7:11am

I've got the original set of plans. Although large, I deal with it. I think you've done an incredible job with this project. Many thanks. Will the newer version also be available from Elderlys?

**HoGo** · Jan-25-2009, 3:41pm

Whats new? I added info all taken from one Loar (mid '23)
From memory: neck crossections at seven positions taken from the Loar, headstoc angle adjusted too. POsition of trussrod pocket, nut and washer, position of scroll strenghtener. Exact position of trussrod in the neck and it's offcenterness. Exact position and size of dovetail. Complete set of top and back arches (at seven crossections) with all its assymetry and weirdness plus measured grads even undef f/b extension. F hole from Mike Marshalls mando...
And many thoughts from measurements of the mandolin.
They will be available from Elderly.

**carleshicks** · Jan-25-2009, 6:23pm

when do you thinkf they will be available

**superc_1** · Jan-26-2009, 9:42am

I bought the first set of plans and maybe this is out of line, but will there be a discount on the new revision set for people who bought the originals?

**Timbofood** · Jan-26-2009, 2:45pm

Just as information, almost any Blueprint shop (of decent size ) should be able to laminate that full size sheet stock. Another way to "preserve"/ strengthen would be to go to a picture framing shop and have them mounted on "Chartex", it's linen with a drymount adhesive side. then you can have grommets set in th ecorners and it will still rollup for tube storage. I have a "Lawrence of Arabia" movie poster that I did that with and it has been great for 30 years.

**herbsandspices** · Jan-26-2009, 3:15pm

Wow, how cool HoGo! I am new to this whole thing, but it seems like the previous versions of your plans are top-notch! Consider me interested, if anything else, just to be able to look at something that's so aesthetically and technically beautiful!
john

**HoGo** · Jan-28-2009, 3:35pm

Originally Posted by superc_1

I bought the first set of plans and maybe this is out of line, but will there be a discount on the new revision set for people who bought the originals?

Well, I dunno... Originally I thought I'll add a sheet to the old plans that would be available separately but thigs are turning into direction when there will be more new/updated drawings than original. Basicly only the hardware and body/ headstock/fingerboard outlines remain unchanged...
The format of sheets and their number makes difference in printing cost. I'll either stick to the large format or I'll try to divide it into separate halves so they could be printed as whole and then cut to size.
I will just finish one part of drawing and will start finalizing them for printing.
Best.

**dunwell** · Feb-05-2009, 7:23am

BUMP

HoGo, update please.

TIA,
Alan D.

**HoGo** · Mar-24-2009, 4:33am

Hello,
sorry for the delay, I've been working on the plans every free minute of my life. I've got a dayjob and had quite busy time last month. Also (Murphy knew it) the best and most valuable new info started coming to me right when I thought I'm done. I decided to include the most important things in this edition (some of it never previously published or even posted on internet).
Now I'm just waiting for reviews (you don't want mistakes there, do you?) and I have already talked with the company that printed them last time.
Just to show you how much time went into drawing it, I'll show you a preview with all objects shown.
I transfered the old version into Adobe Illustrator and during this the names of all paths were lost and I ended up with just a file containing single paths (curves). I had to manually sort them and group them back together to form all the views (at least they were still in correct order so I had to find the first and the last one of the view) and then rename and go from there. I always kept the older versions of views to keep track of any changes so this was pretty time consuming. Just scrolling down the initial list of paths took several minutes. I had to solve visibility and style of all lines, fill of objects that needed it etc.
To ease your waiting I have one offer to you. (I hope this is not against MC rules, if yes, moderators please remove this):
The one who gives closest estimate of number of separate paths (curves) in the final version of plans (the file includes the older versions etc.) will receive a free copy of the plans right from me. (few hints: fingerboard front contains approx. 32 paths, front of headstock couple hundred, text fields are counted as one path, the .ai source file has ~5MB)
Everyone can guess just once.

**Steve Davis** · Mar-24-2009, 5:58am

3601

**Hans** · Mar-24-2009, 6:13am

Think I'll keep the old print...

**Elron** · Mar-24-2009, 6:16am

5,000

**Bill Auld** · Mar-24-2009, 6:58am

How about 2361 ...

**Kirk Albrecht** · Mar-24-2009, 7:32am

I'll guess 3,725 paths total.

Kirk Albrecht

**buddyellis** · Mar-24-2009, 8:35am

Heck, I dunno, 2500

**PaulD** · Mar-24-2009, 8:51am

4324... that's my unscientific guess.

Now my two cents on drawing size and shipping. I liked the old drawing size. The only problem I'm aware of with shipping is that Elderly insisted on shipping flat between none-too-sturdy cardboard. Every one of those sets was damaged. When Elderly finally shipped in a FedEx triangular shipping tube they arrived fine. I don't understand why they were so reluctant to go with what's proven to work (they say they've had problems shipping in the tubes) but when they caved and shipped them correctly there was no problem with the big prints.

pd