Posted on April 21, 2023May 29, 2025 by Dale Phillips Letter: Vacuum Clamp Letter: Vacuum Clamp by David Haxton Originally published in American Lutherie #67, 2001 GAL: I share Jon Calkin’s enthusiasm for the dished workboard (see AL#65). I know it’s made my guitars better. But he could trade all his clamps and dedicated workstations for a much simpler and, I would say better, solution: the use of a vacuum pump. You get absolutely even clamping pressure across the entire face of the plate and no dents from over-tightened clamps. In fact, I preshape and sand all my braces before gluing, lessening the need for chisel work after glue-up, and the whole procedure is quicker. I’ve also used my vacuum pump to make radiused sanding blocks for fretwork and laminated linings, and they make great hold-downs. My pump came from a mail-order surplus supply company for about $80.
Posted on January 19, 2010September 9, 2025 by Dale Phillips Banjo Resonator Clamp Stand Banjo Resonator Clamp Stand by James Gilbert Originally published as Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #60, 1977 and Lutherie Tools, 1990 This jig is based on the use of over-center toggle clamps, which come in various sizes and can be purchased from suppliers of machine shops. ◆
Posted on January 19, 2010September 9, 2025 by Dale Phillips Lute Rib Clamp Lute Rib Clamp by Leo Anway Originally published in Guild of American Luthiers Data Sheet #118, 1979 and Lutherie Tools, 1990 This is a simple device for holding each individual rib in place on the form in order to glue it. The diagrams illustrate how it works. ◆ Top view of plywood board (slightly smaller than lute outline)
Posted on January 19, 2010September 9, 2025 by Dale Phillips Review: Shoptalk 6 Review: Shoptalk 6 Reviewed by John Calkin Originally published in American Lutherie #73, 2003 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Seven, 2015 Shoptalk 6 Stewart-MacDonald Video, 90 minutes, 2002 www.stewmac.com I look forward to each new edition of the Shoptalk videos. They show off the new Stew-Mac tools in the best soft-sell manner by simply demonstrating how they work in a real guitar shop; and on top of that there is always plenty of good randomly gathered information that has nothing to do with selling stuff. The camera work has become excellent, Stew-Mac has developed a fine team of on-camera luthiers, and the cost of the videos is always too low to pass up. You couldn’t beat that combination with a stick. Dan Erlewine leads off with an exhibition of nifty new tools. The BridgeSaver is a set of small hand tools used to repair worn bridge plates and to restore the bridge-pin area of guitar tops. Removing a shot bridge plate has become a last-ditch effort that is frowned upon by vintage folks who wish to maintain instrument originality as much as possible, and by luthiers because it is time consuming and sometimes dangerous to the guitar top. The BridgeSaver removes wood around wallowed-out or misplaced bridge-plate material and/or top material and cuts a mating disk of new wood (not included) to precisely mate with the newly formed hole. The exact procedure is better seen than described. The catalog pictures are good enough to give you the idea, but the video ought to light you up if you’ve done any old-style bridge-plate work in the past. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of the Articles Online featured on our website for Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. For details, visit the membership page. MEMBERS: login for access or contact us to setup your account.
