@boo I was reading your earlier comment about poly finishes on guitars and did some web research as it's something I've often wondered myself. It's seems that big firms used a two pack system which yo...

Just to depress everyone this is how big factories do polishing, no people input. The arm uses suction and is computer controlled. Probably even a machine for loading and removing the bodies in and ou...

@steveadms Looks very good what did you use to finish the body

@darrenking Is this why Strads smell of cheese? Probably sweaty fingers. Some guitar techs charge extra for cleaning before they will start work. Interesting point about veneer I found this out the ha...

@darrenking Looks like you have covered all the bases with design and the need to store in a small space. I've never used an electric machine for instrument polishing but have done a bit of metal poli...

Ive always cut dove tails by hand but after watching the live stream today if think I may be converted to using a router. Looks much easier and cleaner.

@robin I think reducing the rib depth would reduce the bass response due to the smaller sound box size, lower frequencies having a longer sound wavelength and needing a bigger box. You could compensat...

I always sit and look at the amount of waste created by cutting the perfect neck blank from a big lump of timber and reflect on the fact that the prices charged by Mark and other suppliers really isn’...

tv101 I haven't made a lot of new violins as there isn't much demand but that's not unusual. I've spoken to full time professional makers who only do repairs or take part made Chinese instruments and ...

@tv101 Interesting that you should post a pic of the inlaid fiddle. It's a very old technique that was used on instruments in the 16th & 17th Centuries (typical on Baroque instruments). It involve...

tv101 Another bench would be great but my garage has a finite amount of space and also has a motorbike and two bicycles. I was hoping to add on a conservatory in 2020 but Covid has made it difficult t...

Reference the discussion today about sealing the inside of instruments and why it's done on carved arch tops and not on flat tops. I've got some background in violin making and it's a topic which is f...

James I wouldn't get a planer. If you buy your wood from instrument suppliers it will be near to the finished size just leaving margins to work with. Thickness machines don't usually have a very wide ...

@robin It looks good and I think you've made a good choice with the scale length. Keeping to what you are comfortable with makes designing worthwhile. I'm thinking of something similar as my 4th finge...

@boo When I priced up flip paint from a panel factor a few years ago it was £200 per half litre so not for the amateur, but I've always wanted to try it. I've got a green bronze electric fiddle which ...

@tv101 My situation is the same as I live alone and for a lot of last year had no daily contact with anyone, so it was only the live streams that kept me going. Plus I learned a lot.

@boo Do you have any experience of spraying paint that changes colour as it moves around the light eg green to bronze. I think it's called transitional paint.

@darrenking Looks like a great design. Maintaining torque is a big factor in any turning machine as inconsistent speeds can cause differences in the finish. Wish I had bench space for another machine ...

Is the world still out there??? Thank goodness for the live streams at least there's still life in the Bailey world

@darrenking My 80grit roll is 4 inches wide so I shouldn't need too many strips to cover it. I've had it since 1988 and it never seems to get any smaller. Mostly I use planes and scrapers.