It's great to have you here John

There are 'hero points' for the taking - upload some pics of the Thistle here in the acoustic showcase

I'm sure some of the others haven't seen it yet!

Hi. Tried to post Thistle photos but don't get the wee paperclip to attach them. I'm using android with Windows 10.  Any ideas???

Might be the time delay spam filter thingy...leave it for a few hrs and try again...sorry ? 

Hi. Good news on the Thistle Archtop front. Got the wedges trued and glued before I went on holiday and have returned to making sawdust at last. I wish there was some way to attach the photos. I'm open to suggestions.

@jmcmi93888

OMG I'm gagging to see pics!

Did you see this John?

https://guitarmaking.co.uk/community/annoucements/how-to-upload-images-videos/

Hi Mark. Thanks for the reply.

I had seen the "how to" post but still can't get the wee red paperclip thing at the bottom. All I have is a tick box with "Subscribe to this topic" beside it. Tried ticking the box. No change. Waited a long time in case the spam thing needed to think about it. No change. Oh well. I guess it will have to be a secret guitar.

John

Don't believe this!!!!!!!!!!!

As soon as I posted my reply, the attach file thing appears!!!!!!

Hope this attempt works.

@jmcmi93888

hmm....maybe you were not signed in....seems to be working now ? 

Progressing with the Thistle Archtop. Rough shaping of the back with the plane. It's flamed maple and pretty hard wood. Having to re-sharpen the plane every ten minutes or so.

Update on progress. I'm following the Benedetto book and have scaled down his design from 17" to 16" for my preference. Lots of drawing of the arching profiles and cutting them out of 3mm hardboard was followed by commencing cutting the profiles into the back. After a lot of thinking, I came up with the carbide cutting ball in a flexible drive shaft which allows both hand delicate control with the back clamped down. Takes time but works well to give a craving guide.

Wow John that is looking pretty cool - unusual method but I have come to expect nothing less from you !! ? 

Progress on the archtop. After weeks of planning and scraping and sanding then repeating all the above, the back is now carved with only the refining of the thickness from centre to edges to do. Hopefully I shall start on the side bending next to allow me to join back and sides and clamp them in the body mould while I  got to work on the front.

That is beautiful John!

Inside and out 🙂

Thanks Mark. Any chance of you getting my sides thicknesses so I can move along. Pleeease.

A few more pics of the archtop build for your entertainment. The side bending went well but very slowly round my exhaust pipe bending tube. Thanks for the tip of thinning the maple for the tighter bends Mark. I found that only a spray of water was enough and that you can hear the wood fibres just start to move allowing a halt before any damage is done. Each side took about four hours (slow but safe). I've also finished the front plate. Spruce is too easy to over carve if you rush but I've got it as thin as I can without risk (1/4 inch in centre tapering to 1/8" at the perimeter. Bracing next.

@jmcmi93888

TOP JOB! Looks really great John - glad to help - and thanks for the pics!

I found that only a spray of water was enough

Yes - especially with highly figured wood like flamed sycamore - it is possible to add too much water and the fibers can begin to separate. Like you, I no longer soak sides, but just spritz with water before bending...

Suuuuppeeerb!

Stunning work, it looks beyond my capabilities. Keep it up sir. 👍

Awesomeness overload! Very Gretschlike.