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Private member DiscussionShop Organisation

How do you all keep track of your builds/repairs?

Hey all. I apologize if this type of post isn't allowed here but wanted to share anyway. I've been building a tool called Looth specifically for luthiers and repair techs, and I'm looking for a small group of interested looths to help shape it a bit more before it goes public. I got tired of managing spreadsheets and decided that it could be simpler and more automated. The core idea is simple: one place to track every build…

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I've got some great feedback on this app so far. Anyone else using something similar or different? What is working for your shop?
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

What really effects tone?

Ok, I'm a new builder and I've only done solidbody electrics so far, so this question is related to only those. In my opinion, these are the things that have the most impact on tone, listed in order from most influential to least. Have at it! Pickup/electronics, neck joint type, neck construction (including fret size/material), scale length, bridge type, bridge saddle material, tone wood Of course, this only takes into account the guitar.…

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I'm not an expert electric builder but I think I'd go something like pickups 70% Body type (archtop/solidbody/variations thereof) 15% setup 10% vibes 5%
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

Getting perfectly flat without a jointer

Hello -- I am trying to joint a Tele-style mahogany neck blank. I have a Metabo planer in good condition, but no jointer. I secured the c. 40 mm thick blank to a flat plywood sled and shimmed it well. It's hot-glued in place, and absolutely no rocking from any corner or edge. But as I plane it down, I still have about 1 mm difference from one end of the blank to the other when I put a straightedge on the surface (see photo, with backlig…

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I feel this is a big missing element in my workshop (for guitar making at least). But where I live all tools, and especially machines, are a good 2x the price in the US or UK. So I have to think long…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

How about this giant fan for winter lacquer spraying?

Just curious on some thoughts if this fan would work to prevent me from poisoning myself and my family from spraying in my basement shop: https://a.co/d/8UPeRwk I have a basement shop with a door that goes outside. I don’t have a sprayer system, so am currently using rattle cans. Wondering if I set this up with a big 25 foot hose going outside, and put my workpiece right in front of it, if I could get away with spraying in my shop to acc…

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Re: Dale Fairbanks’ garage - I’ll add that’s a really valid concern. My town (Dale’s former town) has a well-deserved reputation for crotchety neighbors who like to complain. Many municipalities have…
Private member DiscussionShop Organisation

Shop humidity: Am I nuts to focus on dew point instead of relative humidity?

Not sure if this is the best place for this, but whatever. I need somebody to check my logic here--I could be completely wrong in my thinking. I'm about to start up my new shop in Ireland, and the humidity/temperature situation is VERY different than the Greater Washington DC region. I will also be unlikely to have as complete control over temperature and humidity as I did in our extremely tight, air-conditioned house in the US. I also k…

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Maybe ask other Ireland luths? @member Maybe your shop should be somewhat dryer than the dryest that your customers homes would be?