Official Luthiers Forum!

I've decided to make a bench-top spray booth and for starters I need a better way of holding the guitar. I'm thinking of making something like the "Freehand Holder" like they sell at Stew-Mac. You can see it here: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Equipment:_Spray_equipment/Freehand_Holder.html

Has anyone else cobbled together something similar and, if so, what did you use for the bearing part of the holder?

This may sound silly, but I'm also considering incorporating a BBQ rotisserie motor to rotate the guitar for the 10 - 15 minutes while the finish is leveling out. I figure this will reduce runs/sagging. Anyone tried that or the equivalent?

Thanks,
Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.

Pat,

I've thought of doing the same thing. Makes all kinds of sense to me, using brushed on varnish, since I stand and turn the body that way for about 10 minutes after each coat. Someone here on OLF had done it 3 or 4 years ago, but I don't recall who it was. Whoever it was used a BBQ motor, if I recall correctly.

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I've heard of useing a BBQ rotisserie motor to wind pick-ups but never for rotating guitars while the finish dries. Good idea Pat Should work good.

Sounds like a good idea. Please follow-up and let us know what you come up with!

Darryl Young made a nice one.

Here's mine. After taking this pic I added some leather washers to get a dampened action when it turns. It holds postion nicely. I made this whole thing from leftover parts so it looks like a bit of an abomination but it works very well.

_________________
I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

Not ttried it, but if nothing else, you can always do a tasty chicken whilst waiting for the finish to dry

If you are spraying instruments with the neck not attached it seems to me the best way to spray is with a 18" or so stick bolted into the mortice and for the neck a slightly shorter stick bolted to the tenon. That way you can hold the piece to get optimum light angle which will allow you to see when you have the perfect wet coat. I think that SM set up might work well for top and back, it looks awkward for spaying the sides. For spraying with the neck attached, Stuart's set up looks like the ticket. The rotisserie idea is a cool one though.

Hey Pat. I'm going to your fair city tomorrow for a week. Any good stores I should be looking out for related to the craft?

Cheers,
Danny

Thanks for the replies. I quess the rotisserie idea isn't so crazy. I'm trying to find a battery operated one in Ottawa but so far, haven't had any luck.

Danny, I feel I need a stand not just for spraying but also for holding while I cure the finish with UV light. If I do it right, I think it will help. Weclome to Ottawa. With respect to lutherie, the most interesting store is the Ottawa Folklore Centre because they always have a small number of hand-crafted guitars for sale there. I've sold one through them myself so I'm biased (plus they give me a discount on stuff in their store). If you are going to be a genuine tourist, I would suggest the Museum of Civilization and the War Museum.

Pat

_________________
There are three kinds of people:

Those that make things happen,
those that watch things happen,
and those that wondered what happened.