Official Luthiers Forum!

goal for 2010 - finish the 2 that I started in January 2010 - by June 2010 -
Classicals -

Maple and Spruce
Walnut and Cedar

Then
Start on my Third and Forth

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

My goals are fairly simple, thouhg it will be a miracle if I get them done this year.
Firstly, I'd like to finish my first scratch build. It's ready for finish. I'm just waiting on the weather. After finish, I still need to purchase some of the hardware and electronics, and then it's on to assembling. I'm fairly certain I'll meet that goal. The other two are in question.
1- I bought an outbuilding last year. It is one of those 8'X10' high ceiling metal sheds. I know that most people would probably never consider one of these as a shop, but I'm on a severely limited budget, and it will have to do. I currently build on my front porch, so having a dedicated place to work will greatly improve relations between the wifey and I. I plan to put a decent floor in it, build a small but sturdy bench, and over time put a bandsaw, drill press and perhaps a router table inside. It would be nice to be able to insulate this building, but I'm not sure if it's possible. Most of you I'm sure are familiar with the little metal sheds I'm talking about. The roof is connected to the walls, but there is a space at the top sides of the walls that is a few inches wide that is open to the outside. If this space can be closed in without adverse problems to the building, then I'll attempt to close them off and insulate. If the building is built so that this is meant to vent when the building heats up in order to maintain structural stability, then all bets are off. Anyone know?
As for a temperature/humidity controlled environment, I have an 8'X10' room in my house that I'll set up as a wood storage area, as well as a place to do critical glue-up tasks, etc., with humidifier/dehumidifier as needed. This will still limit much of my work to late spring thru late fall, but will be a significant improvement over my current situation.
2- If possible, i would like to at least begin build #2.
As I am on a fixed income, these goals will be difficult to achieve it their entirety, but I hope to suceed.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Last year I promised myself a spray booth. Now, with it done I am concentrating on improving that side of the process.
The nitro is pretty easy, but I want to offer polyester finish as well. After my first three polyester finishes I KNOW I need to work on getting that process down!
I used epoxy filler on the last three, & thought I was getting the hang of it till I started on a sappele Weissenborne. Still got some larnin' to do in that department too.
Other than that, I need to streamline a few processes & improve a few of my jigs to make some of the fussy work go more smoothly.
The shop is pretty together now, so now I have to work on getting my head more organized. Gonna be a MUCH bigger job than sorting out the shop!
Oh Yeah... Someone mentioned enjoying one's self more... That's a great goal to shoot for. Think I'll add it to the list.
Good thread Hesh!

Finish my first

My goal is to build two guitars this year. I also plan to purchase a drill press, band saw and shop vacuum, complete the workbench/shelving upgrade I started last summer, and make a couple of jigs. Perhaps I'll dance a jig or two as well.

_________________
George :-)

Mike B, I hope that you are able to use the metal shed if you have no other option... but I would like to just put an idea out there for you.

A framed shed on a concrete slab can be built pretty cheaply if your able to do a lot of work. It does not even have to be a slab, could be just a footing around the perimeter but a slab is preferable. You can mix up concrete in a wheelbarrow (a lot of work) or if you can rent a cement mixer (still a lot of work). You can buy economy 2x4s which will be fine for framing and do 16" but preferable 12" centers when using 2x4s.... for a house we usually use 12" centers with 2x6s, but a shed is a lot less critical. You can make a peaked roof with 2x6s, not sure if you could get away with 2x4s but probably. OSB all around for sheeting roof and walls (interior and exterior), lots of nails to tie the whole structure together. Tar paper on the roof (will do until you can get some cheap shingles) and painted on the exterior walls. This would leave you a much better base to build your shop upon in the future, such as sealing/insulating, electrical, etc. I know its considerably more costly than your metal shed, but can still be done inexpensively relatively speaking.

Thanks, Edward. I considered that, but it is not possible financially at the moment. Also, I already have the shed, so that money is spent. I doubt I could recover enough of it thru selling it, even though at this moment it's "new in box". I do plan to reinforce the roof with 2x4's, since we got 2 ft of snow this time around, and I need it to hold up for a while.
However, these sheds set up and tear down pretty easily, so when the opportunity comes to upgrade it will be a simple matter to do so. Or, I could build a better building later and use the shed for more storage. At the moment, I'm just trying to have a place dedicated to the dirtier parts of building, and to have a place to hang guitars while the finish is curing, so my wife and daughter and I don't have to worry about toxic fumes off-gassing into our home. For now, under the circumstances, this is the best I can do, and I'll be extremely grateful for it if I can get it done.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Make one that is good enough (in my eyes) to sell...or at least try to sell.

But then again, I kind-of like keepn' em

_________________
Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

First of all, I'm already having fun every day I do this, so I've got that one down. Things less certain would be to finish the 3 I'm in the middle of, one classical, one parlor, and one OLF MJ. I'd like to get at least one of those with a bound fretboard and try y hand at inlay. If that all goes well, then it's either an archtop or a mandolin to try out the books I just ordered, or maybe trying out a wedge.

And was it Dave? I'm right there with you on trying to exercise, and eat better.

Mike

_________________
Mike Lindstrom

Good evening all:
My personal goal for the next year is to work on that last 5%. The fit and finish are what separates the winners from the also rans. The last 5% is the toughest, most frustrating, most discouraging few yards you'll ever travel. When you look on Dream Guitars or Guitar Gallery they all look perfect, that's where I want to be.
In few years when I retire, I've been looking for something to do, something that will be challenging, something that will keep a steady stream of new people in my life. Building these darned instruments seems to be a good fit. We'll see.............. Mikey

_________________
The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

To give more than I recieve.

I guess time flies when you're having fun! Can't believe a year has passed already since the last 'New Year's resolutions. Anyway, here are my goals for '10:

1. Complete re-organization of shop (partially done with shelves/storage for "portable" tools, i.e., planer, spindle sander, side bender, binding channel router, etc.)

2. Start making mosaic-type rosettes for my guitars.

3. Measure/record physical properties of tops for use in building (same as last year).

4. Build a classical guitar (same as last year).

5. Build a guitar from Oregon Myrtle.

Max

_________________
Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

1) Finish my first build (14 fret OM)
2) Make a Wells/Sylvan circle cutter jig for my trim router
3) Build a jig for routing binding/purfling
4) Learn to spray finish (probably KTM-SV)
5) Learn everything I can on how to create a particular sound

I have to complete 2 - 4 in able to complete the first goal. 5 is a lifetime goal as one whould always be learning.

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Clean my shop!
Finish my mandolin orders.
Build a few 12 strings for consignment.
Refine my 6 string GC tone to my liking.
Build a red spruce/ white oak parlor with ladder bracing.

Less mistakes.....!

_________________
A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!