MIMF

Ok thanks for expert advise, and now i know why my idea probably wont work. From everything I have read about making a nut, people have tried it with cheap tools and always say go buy some good nut files. I just called a local shop to see how much it costs to have a nut made - $75. I will definitely...

A pre-made nut does not mean that you still don't need to file the slots to the proper height. And like you said, the dimensions and string spacing are not likely to be correct for your guitar. If you have a set of needle files you can make the nut from scratch to fit your specific guitar. Barry, M...

I am going to replace the nut. I measured the distance from the front edge of the nut to the first fret and it appears to be right, so I don't know why they used this nut. I was thinking of getting this one and fitting it to my guitar so i don't need to buy nut files and make the slots myself: http:...

I bought my flamenco guitar new about a year ago and recently discovered some strange things about it: The strings are too low even for flamenco 2.25mm on low E string and 1.85mm on high E string at 12th fret. I think this could explain the overly percussive sound. I am going to make a new saddle 1....

Barry Daniels wrote:Be aware that needle files are not really useful for making saddles. They are too small for the job.

Yes I realize that. I think the idea is they would be used to file small areas for compensation for individual strings.
But I have never made a saddle before so what do I know.

What other tools do you have to work with? I'm not sure that needle files are the best or only tool to do the job. How about some tape (single or double-sided stickiness), and a few bits of sandpaper glued to a popsicle stick or a board? A trip to the cosmetics dept of a drugstore might produce a m...

I am making a new bone saddle for my guitar for the first time. I was told needle files are a good tool to have for this. I found a few on Amazon prime, one conventional carbon steel and with diamond coating: http://www.amazon.com/JawayTool-Carbon-Steel-Needle-File/dp/B00X5I5ZAE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product...

I resisted the strop for a time.
But it does add an extra level of polishing.
I bought a cheap one off ebay and the leather isn't very good, I would recommend one with horse butt leather.

Any advise on a good starter set of scrapers?
I was considering this set:

http://www.lmii.com/products/tools-serv ... ndscrapers

or maybe this:

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Ty ... apers.html

Learning to sharpen the blades is critical in getting them work properly. I use King waterstones and a leather strop. Also a honing guide to hold the blade at the right angle helps unless you are naturally gifted. Often the blades in these old planes are in really bad shape being rusted and pitted a...

I am wondering why plywood is being used instead of MDF.
I think plywood has more of a tendency to be warped or warp over time than MDF.
AFAIK the wood is dry.

Nothing much to add here that hasn't been said. The question of how much neck angle vs. how much doming of the top revolves around how much action you want at the 12th fret and how much string height you want above the top at the bridge. You can formulate this as a simple arithmetic problem, althou...

I have a set of wood I won't be using for several months. Right now I have it on a flat table in the garage. Temperatures can range between 50 - 80 F right now. Would it be better to store inside the house? Also I have heard about putting it between sheets of plywood to keep it flat. This has pieces...

Joel, Evereything you are asking is correct to ask, and the guys answering are right on as usual. Don't think I could add anything. I was only joking about how exhausting it is to read. The old MIMF had a rule about making jokes you had to use this symbol <g> after you cracked a joke to make sure e...

Stephen, I know you are a very experienced and well regarded builder of Flamenco guitars. I have being playing flamenco for about six months and also do some woodworking, hence my interest in building a guitar. I am not great at either but striving to improve. I have yet to even start building my fi...

Found this info, so I guess 2mm for the dome in the Solera isn't a set number, wonder what others here use? Yes, the fans are determining the dome. The lower harmonic bar can be left straight to concentrate the dome in the lower bout or you can fit the lower harmonic bar to the domed shape. I find t...

The neck angle depends on the amount of dome you put in the top, and the location of the bridge relative to the peak of the dome. Some builders have the dome peak in front of the bridge to reduce the cupping that can occur there. Anyway, the whole point is the slope of the neck, and the tapering of...

I have heard of Iturra, he is mentioned in a lot of woodworking forums. Its funny how people who deal in bandsaws are all old school guys who don't have web sites and you have to call them on the phone to order something. Nothing wrong with that, I am used to ordering stuff from Amazon and Ebay so i...

Patrick, Thanks for the feedback. I will most likely be using plans for a 2003 Manuel Reyes Flamenco on the GAL website. I am guessing it specifies what the neck angle should be. What I don't yet understand is exactly how the neck angle is set and does the 3 mm drop on the solera determine the exact...

I have been reading Roy Coutnall's book Making Master guitars. In the section on making the Solera he mentions using plywood or MDF for the Solera but that MDF would be easier to carve out the dome that is about 2mm deep. So I am wondering what most people use. Also would it make any sense to lamina...