MIMF

Re attaching the brace with CA might work, but if the top peels that easily it will probably have a problem with another brace, or the bridge soon. I'm working on a Redwood topped 0000 right now. I glued a piece of spruce on an off cut and ripped it off. It basically destroyed the Redwood and spruce...

I use a 24" carpenters level with sandpaper stuck on it. Mine is decades old but I suspect you could buy one a one of the big box stores for $20 or less. I suppose, like alot of modern tools it might not be perfectly straight, so sight down it to pick a good one. I had a nice big slab of granit...

.................................................................................................................................................................................... Is there a point where you decide to simply buy an instrument? Looking at my limited time (and very limited skills), I...

Good point Alan. My brain, and thinking tend to be one dimensional (or less). Since I mainly build acoustic guitars I assume every conversation is about them. I did make a bridge for a double bass once. If I were to glue the plates to the ribs on one of them it would take a miracle, instead of steam...

It's just not necessary. In a resonably warm shop you've got a good 90 seconds to get a joint closed and clamped. Heat the parts some with a heat gun before applying the glue and you can easily double that time. I used to add a little urea to hide glue for installing tops and backs, but found that i...

I'm an avid hot hide glue user, but if a bridge glued with titebond lifts in a month it would have lifted if glued with hide glue. I suspect there was some shellac left on the top under the bridge.

I'd love it if someone would post an easier way, but it's not that bad. To tape it off I just tape all the way around with tape that's wider than the binding/purfling, then take a gramil and carefully cut the tape right at the inside edge of the purfling. You have to be careful to not cut into the t...

The hardest finish I'd put on a musical instrument is Polyester.

Tape the bindings. You can get narrow tape from most auto paint stores. You'll likely get some bleed through the tape at places. After you're done with your color coats remove the tape, scrape the binding clean, then apply your top clear coats. It takes time and patience.

I've got a friend who runs a cabinet shop that has an Airshield. He tried the "regular" and pro version, and prefered the "regular". http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2004923/7972/trend-airshield.aspx He said the pro version was alot heavier. I suppose the non pro version would be...

60-60 for me. It has to be clamped within 60 seconds, then left clamped for 60 minutes.

Do your own research. Liquid hide glue doesn't dry hard at all. I've tested hot hide glue I added salt to (to make liquid hide glue), as well as store bought liquid hide glue. It's kinda spongey. I would think freshness could be an issue too. I mix a fresh (small) bottle of hot hide glue every week....

It could be a truss rod rattle. It probably isn't, but it's really easy to check. Tighten is to see of the ringing goes away.

Understand lower action preference. But a saddle over a quarter inch above the bridge? Really? I thought the target was about an eighth to 3/16? The saddle isn't that high. A new guitar with the straight edge .040" over the bridge will belly, to have the straight edge pretty much right on top ...

I have used salt to extend open times. I use hot hide glue, pretty much exclusively, but I'm not sure what gram strength I have. I've got a couple five gallon buckets that were handed down several generations. It's my understanding that higher gram strength gels quicker....at a warmer temp.......low...

I'd call it a total loss.................................................................................................................................................. I agree, or re used the neck. I suppose replacing the top is an option, but it would probably be less work, and possibly not muc...

I use resume paper printed on my inkjet printer. (Epson, but probably doesn't matter). I glue them in with hide glue, but I've never sealed them with anything.

I like the guitar, and the format of the uploaded photo.

Looks great to me Woody. Love that Osage orange! I'm not sure the watermarked image fits within the forum rules. I just grabbed the image link from my website to see if the new software works like other forums. I think the "upload attachment" button at the bottom of the text box (while ty...

I think this image will be full sized. I haven't re read the rules, I hope this picture isn't too big. It's my understanding that all the messages will go away anyway. If the watermarked picture is against the rules I apologise. I'll read the rules carefully before the new forum goes live. Anyway, t...