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Hey Guys and Gals,

Hoping someone out there can lend me a hand... I'm currently working on #1 and pretty much following Cumpiano/Natelson to build the OLF OM plans. I have the top and back jointed, glued up, brought to thickness and cut roughly to shape.

Thing is I have very limited space in my "shop" (bedroom), so I'm primary using hand tools.

After spending a few hours today taking the back (ambrosia Maple) down from .150" to around .110" - I'm hoping there's someone out there that may either have a drum sander - or knows of a cabinetry shop that would help? - out in the western Chicago Suburbs so I can bring my sides down to thickness.

If it comes to it, I'll thickness them by hand if I have to - I just know a drum sander would make the job about 200-300x easier... Currently the sides are about .120". I'd be looking to take them down to about .090" or so? I'd be happy to take them from there.

I've tried a few places here locally to no avail.

(to be clear, I'm not looking for a freebie - I'm certainly willing to pay for the service... if I can find it).

Thanks in advance for your help!

Timbo

Hey Tim,

I can help. Send me a PM with your contact info.

Steve

Good on you Steven! I was going to jump in even though it would be a few hours drive to me.

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jw ( o)===:::

I can help you too. I live in Wheeling. Shoot me a PM or an email if you want to come by and use my thickness sander.

masonguitars@aol.com

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

Tim: Isn't this a great forum, populated by wonderful, generous members? I was all set to tell you how quick and easy your task could be done with a card scraper, but these nice guys have jumped in to help you. Take them up on their generosity! But, please also read up on scrapers (the honing and burnishing of them and such as that) and do some practicing on scrap wood, and when this situation comes up on a future build, you will be able to handle it just fine all on your own. I promise you, it can be done, and YOU can do it next time around.
You really can, if you set your mind to it. It's not all that difficult. It only takes a little practice. Everyone here has made that leap at one time or another.
Patrick

Hi Tim, and welcome to the forum.
I live in the Western Suburbs, but I can't help you at all.
I am sure you know more than me - I am more of a newb than you :O)
Just wanted to say hi :O)



Patrick, is that the same as a cabinet scraper?
Thanks.

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Music Is Forever

+1 if you need help - although I live farther away than the others (Sandwich), but I have really big machines!

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John Ressler

wow, lots of illinois in here! i don't have anything but a scraper and a handheld ancient belt sander really so i can't help. far NW burbs here

Man - I am humbled. That's really awesome guys!!! Thank you all so much for the offers to help!

Steve - PM Sent!!!



Patrick - Yes. It is! and thank you as well! I'd not thought to use a card scraper to take off that much material. On the back, I used a hand plane (which I'm finding needs a bit more fine tuning...) to take off the bulk and moved to a sanding block. I do have a few card scrapers, diamond and whet stones, and a burnisher. I'm still learning to get a nice burnished edge on the scraper... and for that matter getting the feel for using the scraper well, since I've never really done a great deal of woodworking.

I'm in Clarendon Hills... you are in good hands with the other folks here... but I can help if you need anything.

Let me know if you need a hand - I'm in Elmhurst.

Thanks Guys - Steve got in contact with me last night & is going to help me out this weekend...

I'll definitely be keeping track of the names in this thread, I'm not to proud to ask for help/tips again if it's needed (which... I'm sure it will be).

Thanks again everybody - you all rock.

Well - Met Steve yesterday... a few passes through his drum sander and my sides are ready to rock & roll - even passed the back through a few times to make sure it was an even thickness across and help clean up some minor tear-out boo boos I had.

Hopefully I'll get them bent without too much hassle...

So - Big thanks to Steve for the help and the advice. Looking forward to seeing that dread you're working on when all is said and done... It's going to be stunning.

Timbo