Official Luthiers Forum!

No, I didn't go see Brother Cloephus.....

But I Have seen the light, The UV light! I have just finished setting up my new UV finish curing system. We are currently only using it for pore fill and base coat but I will be trying out some of the topcoats in another month or so.

There is a definite learning curve, this stuff is different from anything else I ever used and I've used it all from pumice & shellac and shellac to spayable polyesters. Should have made this leap years ago..... Completely green technology ( at least on my end...), no fumes, VOC's or HAP's. No cleaning spray equipment, no instantly clogged booth filters either. And efficient? My, yes! A quart of filler will do at least 50 guitars by the looks of it!

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Pictures of the system?

Thanks

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Who's system did you settle on?

Thanks

Went with system to start out. http://www.uv3.com/products/mobile-handheld-uv/cure-buddy

Using isolator and UV gel filler from Cardinal.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Seems as though the link and UV3 site are dead?

Fixed --- local problem windows DNS settings

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

link worked just fine for me

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Google Chrome Problem fixed --- windows DNS settings

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Is this because the filler and base coat don't set up at all without the UV?

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

The Isolation coat is very thin and does not surface load the filters like heavier vinyl sealers. But mainly because the filler isn't sprayed.....it is a wipe on type product. The sprayable peroxide cured polyesters like simtec are very thick and gel quickly thereby clogging paint arrestors almost instantly.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Just wondering what sort of investment you're looking at - didn't dsee anything on the website.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I'm also curious what the final number was. They say somewhere in the neighborhood of $2000 on the website.

Yep right around $2000 for the lighting and another couple hundred for materials.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Since this curing technology has become popular for use in beauty salons (nail techs) -- the LED lights of the proper frequency are now readily available -- 50,000 hour life! which is much better than the CFL tubes. I am pretty happy with Zpoxy but the ultra fast dry of the UV cure filler is very intriguing -- I just may try and make a curing unit -- $2000 is out of the question for our shop since I only build for family these days.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I know of a couple of people selling their UV lamps. Contact me for more info.

I doubt the lights they use at the nail salons are powerful enough to cure these materials.... This light is industrial. Throws a light much like an arc welder.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Brian,

Have you tried pore filling wenge or paduak yet? Ive read that deeper pores can be problem due to the light not penetrating deep enough. I've also heard that uv cure finish can be a tone killer. I look forward to hearing more over the coming months.

Thanks for sharing, Michael

The comment is in regard to UVA component availability --- if one has the wherewithal to use them a device of any power output and UVA light spectrum wave length range can be constructed.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Sounds like something that might said by those that can't afford the technology --- Negative Marketing

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Could be... Second hand info a the very least.

Robbie,

I sent you a PM regarding a used lights.

Thanks, Michael

Deeper pores seem to need a third coat to fill level but I did not see any problems on the Ash test panel I ran and then cut up and ash has some of the worst grain to fill. Uncured has been a problem at times, usually because the product was put on too thick or wasn't cooked long enough. A good Isolante as an initial sealer will prevent pore bleed if some of the filler doesn't quite cook all the way.As for a tone killer? I highly doubt it. Taylor has been using the stuff for 20+ years and all the major makers are using this tech on at least some of their guitars.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Brian,

I understand one is encouraged not to expose the filler to an ignition source. What safety gear are you using before cooking, and once cooked is the filler now benign with no offgassing?

Thanks,

Michael

There are no fumes and no off-gassing even before curing. The product is 99% solids so it is completely without any solvents whatsoever in it. I really don't see much chance of ignition unless you drop a spoonful of the stuff on your cigar...... Vinyl gloves is about it for safety gear during the application.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/