GREGMW

Would it possible to use a portable belt sander on the top ,back and sides ,instead if a thickness sander or plane?

yes indeed..that's exactly how i heat mine. i have a length of 2" galvanized pipe mounted in a floor flange and then mounted to a 2" thick piece of maple with a 2-2 1/2" hole in the back of it leading to the inside of the pipe. behind that i mounted a paint stripping gun into a clamp and pointing into the hole. works great but be careful..if you get it too close to the hole the heat backs up and sorta kinda melts some of the plastic in the barrell of the heat gun. but once you find the right combination it gets the pipe plenty hot for bending. by the way, i drilled a series of 1/4" holes into the bottom of the pipe to allow some of the air to pass through. good luck. Thanks John, Any chance of a pictire.I have a piece of 4inch (100mm) aluminium tube/Pipe.Would that be too big?What do you reckon is the best size pipe? I am making a bending iron to bend sides.

Hi Has anybody tried heating a bending iron with a hot air gun. Regards Greg

Sorry for the dumb question but are the Go Bars the fibreglass ones and what size are they (Length x Diameter)

I want to use them for clamping the top/bottom on an acoustic when I glue them .

What diameter should I make my spool clamps. I started to cut them out about 1 1/4in (32mm) but I am not sure these are going to be big enough

Thanks Mattia for that info. It looks like I am not going to get it down here .I can't believe it can be so hard to get things like that outside the US. I might try using some 150W light globes and see how that works.?? Has anybody tried using 12V/50W halgon lamps for heating.?? If all else fails,I will get one from John. Thanks Greg

Thanks for all the helpful info. I think I will try building a small room within the shed,with unsulation, and a small AC unit in it.(if nothing else,I will put the other computer in there !!) I have watched the humidity over the last week and it changed from about 45 - 65 % and about 21 deg C I have a lot of timber stored in the shed (Cedar,Rock Maple,Ash,Pine etc) and none of it really seems to move.I know its a lot thicker than the sides/back and top but if any thing this would be a good indication - I hope. Thanks Greg

I sent them an email,but the UK office looks after AUS,and they havn't go back to me yet. I cant believe its so hard to get them down here!! Looks like LMII Regards Greg

Just curious,How do you guys control the Relative humidity in you work areas. I am going to start building a Stewmac Accoustic Kit,and my shed is just a single timber garage. Stewmac suggest that the enviroment be ,70 degrees and 45-50% humidity. At the moment we are averging 80% humidity down here. Am I worrying over nothing .What do you guys do? I am thinking about a cheap Air Con unit,but it all starts to get expensive. Your input would be welcome. Regards Greg

Hi Dave, I dont know if I would bother! They just quoted me $900.00 AU I will check with them,but I hope they are kidding! I have emailed Omega Engineering to see if they have a distributer down here.I will let you know. Any way FYI this is the company. Thermal Electric Elements www.thermalelectric.com.au Good Luck Greg

Thanks, I have found a supplier down here in Australia,and am just getting a quote off them now. I have asked for a price on a 6 inches wide,3 foot long 1.5mm thick ,and 1000Watt I am getting ready for the shock! Greg

Hi, Can someone give me the details/specifications for the LMII (Or similar) silicone heating pads as used on the Fox bending M/C. What I am after is the Length,Width,Thickness and wattage. I am in Australia and am trying to find a supplier down here. Regards Greg

Hey thanks for all your great input. It does look a bit strange when you see it -Thanks guitar frenzy for the pic. My reason was mainly to use it as a light travel type of guitar that I could take away without too much hassle,(and also make something that was a bit different ). The one John Mayall is playing is kind of what I was thinking about and I have since found that he cut that down himself. Cheers Greg

Hi, I am thinking of building a small body strat (about half as wide but the same length) but I am not sure if it will affect the sound/tone with the smaller body. I am going to use some Ash. Any thoughts. Regards Greg

Mathews are also up in Sydney (AUSTRALIA) and they have heaps of different species.

To the people in Louisiana (and surrounds) The pictures we are getting down here in Australia are devastating. The force of nature is frightening. We hope you guys over there are all ok .Our heart and thoughts are all with you. Take care. Greg

Can a beginner learn the guitar. Same thing. Really,What do you have to lose? Give it a try .I made 2 ,the first one I stuffed the headstock up but the second one was fine. Let me tell you its a real good feeling doing the lot even if its not perfect. Greg

Bandsaw,Router,Sanding Drum in a drill press,Spoke shave,Scraper and Care.

I need a new project and have thought I might look at building a Resonator Banjo. This might not be the right place to ask but has anybody built and finished a Banjo from scratch,parts or kit. Just giving it some thought at the moment but any info will be appreciated. Cheers Greg

I have a Jackson PS4 that plays OK but I hate the trem /bridge/tuners. Anyone round here done any modifications to one of these? It didn't cost me too much so I wouldn't mind doing something with it. Any suggestions? Cheers Greg

Yes I know the search works well, but thanks anyway for that link What I was really trying to find out is if these blades would be OK to use on the small,cheaper type of bench/table saws. Regards Greg

Hi. Have any of you used the Stewmac fretting saw blade with small table/bench saws. I am considering buying a "cheaper" small table/bench saw (around $300.00 AU) but just wanted to get some thoughts on its use with the blade. OR would I be better of with the handsaw/mitrebox? Thanks Greg

That looks like a real handy bit of gear.You guys over in the US have some real good gear available - at the right price too. Make good use of it! Greg

Thanks Guys, Looks like I save some dollars!!