Another (No.2) heavy/fixed trapeze guitar tailpiece (unlike swinging versions) design, with a lower string position. In process from steel, brass and silver. String height coming off the tailpiece is as low as possible, which increases the angle from bridge to soundboard. Welded and silver soldered from steel/brass with silver accouterment.
No plastic markers! Utilizing Frank Ford's "drillpress as a lathe" technique, turning precision ebony dowels with high speed tool/cutter for fretboard markers. The side markers are small tapered ebony pins (hand cut), that glue in with a tap from a small hammer.
It is generally not recommended to buy Mitutoyo calipers online without careful consideration, as there is a risk of receiving counterfeit products. While some reputable sellers like authorized distributors and dealers also list Mitutoyo calipers on, say Amazon, it's crucial to verify the seller's authenticity before purchasing.
Making a small saw arbor for a milling machine can be a very handy project, especially for slitting saws or small circular blades.
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation is a renowned American company that designs, manufactures, and markets power tools, hand tools, and accessories primarily for professional users. The company has built a strong reputation for innovation, durability, and performance, especially in the construction, plumbing, and electrical trades.
Snap-on Incorporated is a well-known American manufacturer of high-quality tools, diagnostics equipment, and industrial solutions. Established in 1920, the company has built a strong reputation for providing professional-grade tools primarily used by automotive technicians, industrial workers, and other trades.
Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies is a renowned company specializing in tools, supplies, and equipment for luthiers—craftsmen who build and repair stringed instruments. Founded with the goal of supporting the needs of professional and amateur luthiers, the company has developed a reputation for offering high-quality, precise tools tailored specifically for instrument construction and repair.
Philadelphia Luthier Tools →(Company website)
Much like sharpening a scraper, French polishing often seems like an elusive skill one can struggle for years to master.
A Short Historical Overview
French polish is a method of applying shellac to wood to produce a high-gloss finish with remarkable depth and warmth. Though the technique existed in earlier forms, it became widely recognized and refined in France during the early 19th century, hence the name "French polish."
Mitutoyo Calipers → (Mitutoyo website)
I remember Mitutoyo as a high quality "affordable" option back in the 1980s. Today, it's often seen as the gold standard in precision metrology, alongside competitors like Starrett (USA) and Brown & Sharpe (Hexagon).
An old Atlas press, probably from around war time, mid 1940s? What seems to be very original, peeling gray paint and in very good working order. See the catalog images below from the Atlas 1943 catalog.
Atlas No. 0, 1 1/2 ton arbor press.