Official Luthiers Forum!

Surely I'm not the first person to be suffering pain in the elbow from the repetitive action of rubbing shellac. I have tried switching hands but have so much less control of my left that I make fingernail scratches. If you have figured out how to deal with this please let me know.
Cheers,
Chris

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http://coneryguitars.com

Kill your television!

Yes, I get it every time. I try to vary the pattern of strokes, rotate the guitar so I don't have to reach across, etc.
My soreness doesn't last very long.
You might try hiring a "helper monkey".

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After the sore elbow affected my golf performance, I forced myself to learn to use both hands! It really doesn't take much time before you're able to become ambidextrous. Also, work from the opposite side of the bench occasionally...anything to force yourself to favor different muscles.

One more thing...try to avoid completely extending your elbow when you complete your FP stroke. Such repeated motion and accumulated stress on the joint is what leads to the inflammation...same as the technique for preventing tennis elbow.

David...I'm still trying to find willing helper monkeys!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

One thing that I have learned is that the more immaculate you can make your surface prep, pore fill, etc... the less actual French polishing you end up doing. Still, there is an awful lot of rubbing.

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isn't that the reason you have kids?

I haven't had a problem with it, but maybe it's because I'm still young.

My advice would be to make sure your arm is completely relaxed! I've french polished 60+ guitars with no real pain. Next time you're polishing, take note if any part of your arm/shoulder is tense and try to relax. Listening to good music at the same time is also important!

-Mike

I don't mind the elbow strain as much as tolerating the mindless tedium of it. The results are worth it though.

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"Preoccupation with an effect gives it power and enhances the error"
from "Your Owner's Manual" by Burt Hotchkiss.

I love the tedium as much as any part of building a guitar.
I use the time to think and pray.
I think about what I'm doing, and pray I won't drop a screwdriver on it.

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As to the scratches, I personally like short nails on my fretting hand. So trimming and filing your fingernails before you polish is a good idea. Also using a latex glove will help prevent the scratches. You will become more coordinated as you use it more.

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

Ibuprofen and Ben Gay Ultra.

Alternatively, VSOP brandy taken at regular intervals until the pain subsides. You should probably use the VSOP together with a Monte Cristo as an adjunct to the therapy.

Be sure to tell your wife or significant other that you're only doing it for medical reasons.

Rick

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Rick

Rick, are you taking patients at the moment? Cause I sure prefer you to my doctor

I probably told this before, but when I was using Everclear for polishing, I said to myself "you can drink this stuff?" and took a glug.
Never, never, never take a glug!

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Was that with or without the shellac already dissolved??

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I'm told it mixes well with Fruit Punch. Of course that was in a different life!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

French Polishing with fruit punch?

Stop the progress!

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To get back to the original question: You can treat it just like tennis elbow, by wrapping your forearm right next to the elbow. The drugstore carries velcro gizmos that do the same thing, and are easy to put on and take off.

Also: How tall is your bench? The problem will be much worse if your bench is too high. I'm 6', and a bench height of 31'' is perfect for my French polishing. My main repair bench is 38", but I'd never French polish on it. Hope that helps.

I use the Velcro gizmo specifically made for tennis elbow. I've had it so bad in the past that I couldn't even pick up a gallon of milk. The gizmo really helps. I don't really understand why but it does.

edit: just wanted to mention that FP doesn't bother mine...I get mine from hand plane use.