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Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

shop compressor set up

I am setting up a compressor in my shop almost entirely to spray finishes. I've looked at a lot of youtubes and am now more confused than when I started. I'm currently using a HVLP system but I want to set up a compressor and I know nothing of the filters I see and now I'm learning there is a need to cool the air before spraying. I understand the methods of cooling I see but do I need all this to spray just guitars. I have a 6SCFM…

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Private member
I solved all of my air line contamination issues with this rig. First step is a basic moisture and oil trap, second is a desiccant based moisture remover, third stage is a high end (very small partic…
Private member DiscussionNeck Reset Database

Gibson LG-1 1957 fingerboard extension glue will not loosen

Today I have spent the better part of five hours attempting to get the fingerboard extension free on this guitar. I am using the method I have used for dozens of neck resets: 100 watt halogen bulb with heat shields. After a couple hours I thought I was making some progress under one corner, only to discover after some movement that my palette knife was going through the top. I then abandoned that area and have been applying heat and…

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Ian Davlin
There's a lot going on here. So I'll make a list The lightbulb I use is the 250 watt infrared bulb. Not sure how it compares to the halogen. If it is hide glue, I like to add spit to my knife. It's tem…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

neck removal - steam or heat?

I've done a few neck resets lately, (new territory for me) using the StewMac Heat Stick. It does a fine job releasing the glue, my problem is filling the hole in the 15th fret slot so that it isn't noticeable. I did a lighter colored rosewood board lately that certainly could have been better. I'm thinking of trying the needle/ steam method instead but haven't found a controllable source for steam. I would appreciate any advice with…

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Private member
These from Hotwire Foam Factory work great, and the small holes are usually hidden by the fret wire. The cheaper ones require a slightly larger hole, and run hotter, so scorching is a concern. They…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Strange(?) bellying on Martin 000-15 SM

Just realized that I posted this on the main feed earlier and should have posted it here. Apologies for my poor posting skills. Will go and delete the original now.... Hello all, I’m new around here and excited to continue lurking and learning, taking in all the great content and the knowledge of all you experienced looths. I am more familiar with building than repairing, but I am interested in learning all I can about both. I’m happy to…

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Private member
Yeah, I don't know. I would start by calling Customer Service. They will either direct you to a warranty operation for verification or if they let you send the pics, they might just issue a Return Aut…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Repair

Fretting a fret slot that won’t hold the fret

Hey all, I’ve got a Prewar Martin on my workbench (1932/33 0-18) and this thing has unfortunately been through the guitar center wringer. I’ve had to reset a fretboard that was glued down with Gorilla glue and as well, rejoint the neck and underside of the fretboard. I had to repair a large deal of tear out that was sitting underneath their fret job and because of that I now have a brittle fret slot all up the board that will not hold a fr…

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Private member
Gotta rig up something like this. Been using that clamp for years. Just got the Jaws II a couple weeks ago.
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Laminating carbon fibre in neck blanks + before and after measurements

Two pieces of maple, each of which were measured beforehand and then cut up and epoxied back together to keep things as consistent as possible. Even the orientation of the grain was the same to avoid any impact of vertical vs horizontal grain lines. The plain maple had one layer of 300gsm 12k unidirectional carbon fibre between each piece, the flame maple had two per lamination, which may be why it sees a smaller gain afterwards? Lots m…

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Private member
Thanks for this! I worked with FRPs, carbon fiber, etc. for years as a shipwright and never came across colored product like the Hypetex you mentioned. Very cool! Hypetex makes flax-based and carbon f…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Les paul neck repair advice

Hi, just joined and this is my first post, excited to be a part of the Group! I've been building and repairing guitars and amps for about 15 years but am a better builder than repair person. I have a les paul that has a small but definitely there crack in the neck where the head to neck joint is. It's very tight but does look to be in the wood. Not sure the best method to fixing something like this. I have attached pics for reference. A…

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Private member
Update, I tried the naphtha thing. It didn't flow in very much, and I tried to get it to open again without much success so I ended up trying to get some CA glue in and now I'm going to let that dry c…
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Gibson Hummingbird hole repair

This is what happened when this guitar fell off a wall hook, and the head stock of the guitar hanging below it punched out a new sound hole. I don't consider the result a success. In fact I'm embarrassed that I wound up with an outline around the repair the screams "Here I am!". I've decided that instead of letting it be just a cringe worthy experience, I should have the humility to ask my peers for advice on how I could have done a bet…

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Private member
Ah ok. That yellowish tape is kapton tape. Its normally used in electronics work, but I like it because is is impervious to solvents. Its also handy for taping on either side of an area I want to sand…