@darrenking @mattbeels Thanks for the good wishes I've found that I can do varnishing ok so working on non guitar projects. Just have to be careful not to burst any stitches or get any solvent near as...

@boo Thanks I had to get an operation on my hand, nothing woodwork related but it was a minor emergency. I'm home now and bored as I can't do anything. Hoping to get the stitches out on Friday then ph...

@darrenking Sorry to be a wet blanket it must be all the drugs the hospital have been pumping in to me the last few days affecting my thinking. Your design looks very good and I think it will fly off ...

@boo With all our pooled resources I'm sure we could build a monster Ark big enough for all the Bailey community. As for money I've always found that if you're good enough at what you do then work flo...

@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.