The Hub

The latest builds, repairs, and conversations from across Looth. Activity
Filters AND Search test× In New Builds× Reset all
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

How to "Fix" Rosewood Bridge Dyed Black?

I dyed an East Indian Rosewood bridge black to match the Blackwood fretboard before gluing it on*. The bridge is now glued to the top. What are some ways to "fix" that dye into the wood. I'm not crazy about TruOil - up to 40% mystery oil..... *I did a sample on rosewood with 4 different "dyes" and they were all stable, would not rub off with paper towel, naptha or mineral spirt. I went with the TransTInt. I did not however test with…

6 replies
6 replies
LikeShare
Private member
@Chris Frederick Guitar Recovery LLC I tried some "Lemon Oil" over the already dyed bridge and it actually set the color, thanks for sharing that. I don't know why that worked, but it did. I'll fini…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

2K Spraymax not curing

Hello everyone! I'm having quite a lot of issues with a Jackson Warrior I'm refinishing in 2K Spraymax. After a week, it is still not completely cured and it dents whenever I do the "fingernail-test". This is already the second time this happened. My process is: Sanded the body completely to bare wood, up to 320 grit. Filled with Z-Poxy, let cure for 24h. Sanded back to 400 grit Sprayed 1K primer, let dry for ~2 hours Sprayed 2x 1k color coats…

2 replies
2 replies
LikeShare
Private member
prob a bad can that didnt release the activator...
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

more side bending

hello looths - i'm building my first guitar. generally following (and enjoying) the gore/gilet books. after 3 tries, i've yet to get a crack free bend around the nose of a venetian cutaway with a mahogany side. i made a version of the fox bender - using clamps on hand for the waist and cutaway, and a pid temp controller (verified accuracy), and am using a stew mac blanket and three straps. the recipe for my last attempt was: sapelle (fo…

6 replies
6 replies
LikeShare
Private member
hey @member - so i substantially followed your recommendations with another test piece of sapele: spray with supersoft about 5 min before going into bender, wet down craft paper, spritz side wit…
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Deflection vs. Frequency for measuring flexural modulus

I've been testing all my top and bracewood to find the best combination of stiffness and density, optimize plate thickness, etc. I started with Nicoletti's spreadsheet which calculates both stiffness and density, but since I was also testing deflection, I decided to compare the flexural modulus using that method (with the formula from T. Gore's book) on the same plates and bracewood. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting a satisfa…

7 replies
7 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Hello Neil, as you rightly pointed out, they are all in reasonable range for the species, but do not perfectly correlate (at least, not all of them). In my experience, the deflection method is is not v…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Black Grain Filler Under EM6000?

I am switching from NC lacquer to EM6000. I also want to switch from black WB filler to blackened epoxy grain fill. My question relates to keeping the color in the pores and off the surface wood, and whether to vinyl seal before and/or after epoxy fill, I already know how to tint epoxy black. Could black grain fill style be accomplished with black epoxy as the grain filler and would a vinyl sealer be used at all, or just use EM6000 for…

13 replies
13 replies
LikeShare
Private member
Karl - Funny you should mention it… my shellac order is out for delivery today. And thanks for the finishing schedule. In this most recent build, I find myself developing strategies that will avoid st…