What new luthiery thing did you try last year and did it work?

[Dave Bagwill]

For me: fish glue, and I like it a lot for its initial tack and overall ease of use.

The Rockler tool from Santa that I posted elsewhere - I've only used it for two days, but the nice big digital readout and very sturdy construction make it a go-to tool for me.

Making double sides with the vacuum bag - takes some extra time, but with a little planning the time is not a big deal, and the sides are very sturdy, and figured wood is just as easy to bend as other woods. I like it.

Testing wood - again, extra time, but for me it is definitely worth it.

I did not build much last year, but added some skills, and overall I'm pretty happy with what was accomplished.

Anything new for you last year?

Oh yeah the copy carver - it works, but still no time to do a proper demo. Plus I want to dial it in a bit more exactly.

[Kevin in California]

I got a mortise/tenon jig from John. I think he upgraded to a different one.
I used it on my last build. I think I like it. Had some trouble with the mortise, but I was trying to take too big a bite, however it all turned out good.
I also used my safety planer for the first time to thickness the neck shaft and headstock on a neck. I liked that too. Again, you don't want to take too big a bite.....and boy does it make a mess, but it works very well for hogging away the extra stock.

Kevin

[Tim Benware]

1. Fish glue too, I had a hard time adjusting to the thickness/clearness. I would get more squeeze than I should.

2. After much research and some talks with John Arnold, I am bracing the upper bout a little different. Got rid of the popsicle brace and added a trapezoid brace that butts between the neck block and transverse brace. It's about 3" x 4" on the parallel sides.

3. Building my own neck (not finished yet)

4. Water-based lacquer - not totally happy but I wasn't with nitro either. Now, if I had an explosion proof in-door booth I'd go with nitro all the way.

5. Lining up my side braces to my back braces to give a more even look on the inside.

6. Safety planer for thicknessing B/S and tops, still use drum sander for final thickness.

7. Finalized my headstock design (to be revealed in the next couple weeks).

8. Got a MM.

9. Turn my end wedge upside down, I kinda like that look.

10. That's all I can think of so far.

[ken cierp]

Zpoxy as a filler -- the maker (Pacer) says its OK under nitro.

Scarf Joint necks went into production as an addition to solid and laminated --- Stronger, less wasted material, good enough for "Bob Taylor" good enough for "KMG"

Constructed the first KMG ukulele -- working out the bolt on neck design for the kit release.

New mold/assembly system -- Bagwill has seen it.

[Dave Bagwill]

Bagwill likes it.

[John Parchem]

I completed a harp ukulele this year which forced me to ...

• Made a slotted head for a neck without a router template (drill, saw and rasp)

• Make my own bending forms.

• carved my first bridge.

• Worked and reworked my finish until I was happy

• Made my best sounding Parlor guitar on my third try!

• I also learned not to get glue all over and to use close to the correct amount. My greatest achievement!

[TonyinNYC]

I bought and used the Stew Mac "Fret Erasers" for polishing the frets. I like 'em a lot. Easy to use, fast, and also easy. Did I mention easy? I did not buy the full set. Only 400, 600, and I think 1000. They will last quite a while too. As a bonus, since they conform to the frets, you can use them wrapped in sand paper to fill in the missing grits if you don't buy the whole set.