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Anyone in the Minneapolis area who can sand my parlor guitar top and back to proper thickens for me?
A few months ago I decided to stop building guitars and stick to only banjos. The last guitar I built was a parlor size of walnut and cedar that had so many errors and screw ups built into it that I would have been embarrassed to have my name on it out in the world, so it wound up like this:

But it's been haunting me and I want to try one last time for a nice walnut parlor. So I bought a partial kit on eBay. After I decided to quit guitar making, I sold all my wood and jigs to some guys at the RedWing Luthier school. Then I sold my drum sander.
I should have had the kit guy sand the top and back. Now I'm questioning my ability to use a hand plane and sand paper to get the thickness where they should be.
So, anyone in my area who will do the thicknessing for some cash or rent me an hour on their drum sander? No big hurry on this. I plan to do the box building in the dry winter months.

How about a scraper? How thick is it now?

I can help you out. Though you'd have to ship it down here. (Madison) If you can't find someone in the cities,let me know.

printer2
Thanks for reminding me about a scraper and to measure what the thickneeses are now.
The back is about .140 now and rough, so I think some scraping and work with my RO sander will get it down to .100/.110.
The sides are already bent, so no thicknessing needed there.
The top is .240 and hairy. I want to get it down to .110 for ladder bracing.

Paul
Thanks for the offer. If I can't do it myself or find someone local, I'll get back to you about sending just the top to you for sanding.
Dan

Happy to help you Dan.

Bring it up to my shop in Forest Lake.
I am around pretty much all week.

Dave

Thanks for the offer, Dave. I'll PM you about the details.
Dan

Yesterday, I went to Dave Livermore's shop and used his drum sander on my mystery spruce top and walnut back. Got both thicknessed without breaking his machine or anything else in his shop.
Many thanks, Dave. It was great to meet you, see your shop, and watch you do some purling/binding work.

This top and back are to be part of a ladder braced parlor to replace the one I sawed in half. Photo above. I'll try to do some posting on the build this fall/winter when I put the box together.

Sorry I missed your post Dan. We just got back from up Nord, I sure could have helped.
Glad Dave could help you...

Haans
I thought about asking you, but I didn't want to inflict my sanding dust on you.
The sound of your ladder braced parlor guitar is the inspiration for my wanting to give guitar building one more try.
Thanks
Dan

Very kind of you to say!
If you have any questions Dan, feel free to email...

I missed it too. I am up in Alexandria. Another option in the future. Good luck with the build!

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Glad I could help Dan.

I am here any time you need more help.

Dave