The Hub

I did some testing of peel strength for ABS plastic/unfinished wood bonds using various glues. I found some interesting results and am continuing to test with additional glues and an improved method. TL;DR: Non-aqueous glues as a class outperformed the aqueous glues Testors 3505 and thin cyanoacrylate provided the strongest non-aqueous glue bonds Among the nontoxic water cleanup glues, Canopy 560 glue exhibited a significantly higher mean p…

Finally! I have come up with a way to keep these music nomad nut files organized in a functional way! This can be hung up on pegboard when not in use or the removable base can be added to make it free standing on whatever bench I’m on.

Working on this 1934/35 Regal built Dobro. It's a Model 37 roundneck in with a few issues-main ones being a bodgy slotted headstock repair, some missing binding, misaligned tailpiece, modified rim on the soundwell etc. It's been a gig pig on and off for the 30 years the current owner has had it. He want's to ditch the Barcus Berry PU, which was on it when he bought the guitar, and patch the hatchet work. I'm guessing the top was origina…

I have some one with a double neck 6 sting/ bass who wants to wire a stereo jack to split the guitar to one amp and the bass to another amp. Before I give up does anyone have knowledge of how to do this? My skill set for electric guitars is- I can solder and follow a wiring diagram, and that's it.

This is a no name classical with fan bracing. The owner , an orthopedic surgeon , had a friend buy this for him years ago in europe. His daughter had it for a few years and the cracks showed up. I had repaired some of the other top cracks with TJ Thompsons cauls and cleats. These two cracks I wonder about. Both are cupped upwards slightly. I have pictures of the cracks and pictures with a clear overlay showing the bracing below. I really…

Lyon and Healy Parlor repair. Is there any good method to soften/release old hide glue and re-clamp to close the gap? The braces will be removed and new X bracing installed. This appears to be a very old repair using hide glue, but it wasn't quite closed up at the time of the original repair so the crack is still open. Its holding very well and we may just leave it. But wanted to run this by the group. Looking to perhaps steam it along t…

Hey guys, I’d love to get some suggestions on how to finish this repair aesthetically. The customer brought it in because this piece had split while trying to remove the saddle using a rubber mallet. My main concern is that the joint between the two pieces of wood is still visible. I was thinking of doing what I’ve always done: using wood dust mixed with CA glue or Titebond. But I was wondering if you guys use a different method that migh…

I need some suggestions from the many great repair senseis out there.The customer is fine with a structural repair and not concerned about making it invisible. I told him you will see anything I do. He was fine with that and has a budget of between $700-1000. It's a clean break. nothing missing, It closes tightly.. I was thinking either 1) the generic double splines one on either side of truss rod and touchup as best I can. Or 2) the ab…

Hey everyone, I had a question on how to approach this bridge reglue. It's from a 1940's Kay type guitar, I removed the bridge without issue, and did some surfacing of the underside of it, but there's a problem. The bridge is missing material on the outer edges and I don't think I can remove much more material without compromising the overall shape and structure of it. I was wondering if you had suggestions on how to approach this? I wa…

in for some top cracks and playability issues, neck is underset by almost 1/8" with significant hump at the joint...just got the strings off and got a better peek under the circus tent and... how the what the why? i just... really I... ummmm....can anyone guess what is going on here? Tempted to hand it back over any half-measure foolery. Third Japanese built one in this year but I've not seen this sort of hijinx...

Hi All, I wanted to check in with folks in the industry and ask for some advice. I have been on a building Hiatus for a number of years now (Hand Injury, Medical Issues). Things have gotten much better, and I am fully able and capable of building once again. The 2nd biggest hurdle I have had was a lack of opportunity for shop spaces to build. I now have a viable workspace and full use of my hands once again to build. The problem is that, o…

good evening to all. This one showed up on the marketplace. I'm wondering if its too much to chew for me at this time. Is it a very difficult repair? Is it worthwhile pursuing? It's another $25 crash test dummy. Please, don't hold back. I can take it.

@member hipped me to the fact that Steve Gilchirst has some really nice work detailed in his restoration archives. I think you should check it out. BTW he is super busy, so don't wear him out with emails.

Greetings Wise Elders and fellow seekers of the Looth Group! I hope you're all keeping well. I humbly beseech thee for thine sage wisdom and experience. I purchased a 1971 Hagstrom Swede. This guitar was basically put in a case and then forgotten about for a few decades. I felt sorry for the old man and have taken it in as a stray / project. I would like to get it playing again. There are many scars on this guitar, I have looked for as…