The Hub

Straight Frets started an expansion into a second city with a second Plek machine at the start of 2024. The initial spot had the wrong landlords that would not honor their HVAC agreement, and subsequently the failing HVAC units made prior to 9/11 never allowed the Grand Opening Event to happen. After bailing out of the wrong spot 7 months later, we are now up and running in a much cleaner location with a brand new HVAC, much closer i…

Just noticed this category was here. Since nobody has jumped in, I'll be the first. We've had our Plek machine since last summer and did just over 300 Plek jobs in the first year. It has become a tremendous asset in our business. I'm happy to be a part of any discussion here. :)

Hello everyone, this will be a long post. I usually describe my passion for luthiery as a "fire." I can easily remember the day I realized that I wanted this to be what I would do for the rest of my life. It started as pure joy; learning day by day was like unwrapping a new surprise. I did everything right: studied, practiced, studied, practiced. I built my own jigs and tools, and I even did a small apprenticeship with a local luthier. Wh…

Hard to get a good recording of it but clear as day in person, I assume truss rod rattle? Checked braces, piezo system, bridge bolts,tuning machine ferrules all seem tight, anything else to check off? And as for fixes, what to y'all prefer these days?

I used to run a cnc punch press at a machine shop. It was a Trumpf. For some reason the brand just showed up on my Instagram and I checked it out. Apparently they make printers that print metal powder. @member are you ready for the next level? Might be interesting for custom hardware. https://www.trumpf.com/en_INT/products/machines-systems/additive-production-systems/truprint-1000/

Bambu just dropped the price of the A1 Mini to $249! Now, I don’t have experience with this exact printer (I own a Bambu P1S) but there’s been a lot of hype about this entry level machine, and I’ve had a great experience with the brand. Figured I’d share! https://us.store.bambulab.com/products/a1-mini

Hi guys. I have a cnc machine but don’t know how to draw stuff. Can anyone share a file for a 15 and 30 foot radius dish please?

Hey all. I need some advice. When getting started in your career, or even after you're established, what side jobs do you do to help make it all work? Quick background for me. Based in Austin, TX. I've been doing guitar repair evenings/weekends for 14 years now. I've been working an office day job this whole time. Day job pays me $30/hour. As a looth, I charge $70. I can make the equivelent of one day job paycheck loothing in the evening…

I'm the proud new owner of a "new to me" Fireball Meteor CNC machine. It feels really odd to have a computer in the shop but I guess I need to get used to that. Fortunately for me, I am well versed in CAD, unfortunately not so much on the CAM side of things. My 3 kids are all experts and are steepening the learning curve dramatically, this would be overwhelming if they weren't helping. So far I'm using the Fusion 360 personal use versio…

I was in need of a set of ferrules for vintage Waverly 4-on-a-plate mandolin tuners with 0.21" diameter posts, but no one wanted to part with a vintage set. Tom Wittrock, of Third Eye Guitars here in Springfield, MO (late 50's Les Paul guru), suggested I check the local leather store and damn if he wasn't right on! For less than $10 I got a bag of 50 ferrules that fit perfectly, seriously, these were a perfect fit. They come in chrome,…

I'm working on a repair to a Washburn EA50 headstock. Someone previously tried to repair this with a dowel, which likely worked until it was strung up. I've routed a slot and created a biscuit, and built a jig to hold both parts of the headstock in the same plane and clamp everything tight (some cauls and threaded blocks of maple with 1/4-20 machine screws). The plan is to use System 3 gel epoxy (a'la Beau Hannum) and then add a coup…

Hello, I just went to the Northwoods seminar and came away with ,maybe it's time to get a CNC machine. So I'm curious which one do you have? Why did you purchase said machine? At this time I don't want to buy an entry level machine. I would prob start with making bridges, templates, jigs and other assorted small parts. Maybe necks at a later date. I would like a machine that I dot have to upgrade in one year. Would also prefer a spind…