Post a picture of what's on your bench?

[Paul Statman]

Beautiful, Patrick, and spiffing flame maple on them both! I also like the Monteleone style saddle compensation and the Rubner tuners. Bravo! Sound samples?

[Patrick Toole]

Thanks Paul! I don’t have sound samples of these 2. Here’s one of the last mando and it sounds quite similar to the latest one. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ANqd0uyeB-s

I’ll just share this one link as I don’t want to clutter this thread with self promotion.

[MinkBrookRambler]

Patrick, it looks great. What’s the finish?

[Patrick Toole]

Thanks Derek, the finish is a rosin/amber/mastic/linseed oil varnish. It’s the same stuff I use on all my violin family builds.

[Paul Statman]

Thanks Paul! I don’t have sound samples of these 2. Here’s one of the last mando and it sounds quite similar to the latest one. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ANqd0uyeB-s

I’ll just share this one link as I don’t want to clutter this thread with self promotion.

Sounds great! Thanks for the link.

[Steve Sorensen]

Working out the finishing process for these new Kevlar/Carbon Sprites. Dang, the learning curve is steep!



Steve

[sunburst]

Griffith tribute progress:
Finish sanded, stained (sunburst) and sealed:


- - - Updated - - -

Bindings scraped:

[sunburst]

Inlay engraved (I might touch it up a little more later...):

[oldwave maker]

No sweat, no tears, just blood from string end poke while setting up in the white.
Betting that Griffith tribute will Boom, John!

[rcc56]

I hate it when that happens.

No pics, but I've pulled 52 frets this week and finished driving and profiling 12 replacements. Two more instruments to go. I've finished prepping one board, and have one more to prep. In the old days, I might have finished both of them up in one day, but we'll see. I seem to be moving slower now that I'm over 65.

The two that are still in progress are both mandolins, and both have loose braces that will have to be dealt with through the soundholes. One has f-holes. No way to clean out the old glue, at least not very well. Maybe some sandpaper glued to a pallete knife, maybe not. . . we'll see . . . hope it holds . . .

[j. condino]

No sweat, no tears, just blood from string end poke while setting up in the white.
Betting that Griffith tribute will Boom, John!

That'll clean up with a bit of luthier's tears!

[Richard500]

I hate it when that happens.

No pics, but I've pulled 52 frets this week and finished driving and profiling 12 replacements. Two more instruments to go. I've finished prepping one board, and have one more to prep. In the old days, I might have finished both of them up in one day, but we'll see. I seem to be moving slower now that I'm over 65.

The two that are still in progress are both mandolins, and both have loose braces that will have to be dealt with through the soundholes. One has f-holes. No way to clean out the old glue, at least not very well. Maybe some sandpaper glued to a pallete knife, maybe not. . . we'll see . . . hope it holds . . .

A bit embarrassed to suggest something to a pro, but for access to braces through, especially f holes, I’ve been using bent hacksaw blades, which can be fussed into shape and are still relatively stiff. Leaving the teeth on gives a bit of abrasiveness, and ones with the teeth removed can shove glue in tight spots. Of course, being amateur, been using Titebond to have enough time to get a clamp on. Not the neatest jobs, but considering the alternative of taking a back off. Also, I’m only working on low-value rescues where in my opinion, anything goes.

[b4idie]

Boy, I wish I had the sheet music to what he is playing on Patrick's mandolin. That may be the sweetest rendition of it I have yet to hear. I bought the official sheet music of "Going to California" from a reputable supplier but was unable to get much that was helpful from that purchase. Something simple and tailored for mandolin would be so nice but I guess protections for material prevent it. Literally my favorite as this was a perfect mix of guitar and mandolin. Thank you for posting this video and yes I have watched it about 10 [?] times. And my they are both so talented!

[rcc56]

A bit embarrassed to suggest something to a pro, but for access to braces through, especially f holes, I’ve been using bent hacksaw blades, which can be fussed into shape and are still relatively stiff. Leaving the teeth on gives a bit of abrasiveness, and ones with the teeth removed can shove glue in tight spots. Of course, being amateur, been using Titebond to have enough time to get a clamp on. Not the neatest jobs, but considering the alternative of taking a back off. Also, I’m only working on low-value rescues where in my opinion, anything goes.

Thanks, Richard. Old saw blades are a good idea.
And sometimes when a job gets difficult, I don't feel at all like a pro. And ideas are welcome from anyone who can twist a wrench.

Getting the glue under the braces isn't the problem-- cleaning out the old glue to ensure a good bond is. And sometimes clamps want to wander after they have been tightened. I think I can find a way to wedge them in position, though.

I'll use hide glue on the old Gibson-- I should be able to get everything clamped up in time.
The f-hole mandolin looks like it was built with some sort of PVA-- I've decided to use Titebond on that one. Sure would like to get some of the old glue out of there, though. If I can't, it will have to be a cross-your-fingers-that-it-will-hold job. Neither the owner nor myself will want to open the instrument.

[Dusepo]

[Sam Brown]

Just made a new bridge for this regal tenor guitar, I had originally used a pre-made tenor banjo bridge but I much prefer this one.

[sunburst]

NFI, and sorry to contribute to thread drift, but this stuff is my favorite for cleaning tight places like loose braces and such. Cut it with snips, bend it to shape, glue it to handles, whatever it takes to get it in where it's needed.
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...skin-abrasive/

[Steve Sorensen]

It's kinda like French Polishing ...



At least my left hand isn't cramping yet.

Steve

[Dusepo]

[Rjayh]

My first mandolin build and first post. Based on the Graham McDonald flat top, although 30 mm at the nut and with a slightly longer scale length (14.75 inch, as per Fylde Touchstone mandolin).

Camphor laurel back and sides, sitka spruce sound board, zizicote fretboard, African mahogany neck and black hearted sugar maple headstock. I've got some Rubber tuners ready to go.

Still early stages - just trial fitting the neck - have to finish fretting, with tuners, and will bind the body.

[

[John Kelly]

Lovely work throughout and some beautiful timbers. The back and headstock look great. I see you favour a zero fret - my own preference too.

[Rjayh]

Lovely work throughout and some beautiful timbers. The back and headstock look great. I see you favour a zero fret - my own preference too.

Thanks John - yes, I am a big fan of the zero fret - for me, it simplifies set up and results in a very playable instrument

[Jupiter Ukulele]

I have built a number of instruments, mostly ukuleles of various sizes and small parlor guitars. As I like Celtic and Irish music and wanted to do something different I decided to build an octave mandolin. Here it is in the white, ready for final sanding and finish. Alaskan yellow cedar top, black walnut back and sides, koa binding and headplate, black-white-black purfling, Spanish cedar neck. lots-of-little-pieces-of-wood rosette.

[Richard500]

The rosette is a refreshing variation, and I note the side port as another.

[Tavy]

A nice old Vega cylinder back getting finished off... fretboard inlays were lifted and re-set in order to be able to level off the rather non-flat board: