Posted on June 15, 2026June 15, 2026 by Dale Phillips Essential Tools: Scratches and a Detail Knife Essential Tools: Scratches and a Detail Knife by Eugene Clark with Jonathon Peterson Originally published in American Lutherie #80, 2004 and Big Red Book of American lutherie Volume Seven, 2015 What are scratch tools, Eugene? Scratches are something like one-tooth saws. The square one is like a rip tooth, a paring tool like a small chisel that takes a shaving out; and the pointed one is a parting tool that separates. So, you have a pointed scratch and a chisel-shaped scratch. The latter are really just violin purfling tools. These were hand forged from nails. On some of these German scratches you can pull the blade out of the handle and you will see the unaltered point of a nail — good Swedish nails, probably. Nails made from Swedish steel were very much in demand for tools like this. 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.
Posted on June 2, 2026June 11, 2026 by Dale Phillips Fitting Flamenco Pegs Fitting Flamenco Pegs by Aaron Green Originally published in American Lutherie #82, 2005 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume Seven, 2015 While it is the tradition for flamenco guitars to be fitted with pegs instead of machine gears, the historical rationale was economic in the same way as was the choice of cypress for the back and sides. These days the cost difference between pegs and gears is not usually reflected in the total cost of the guitar to such an extent that a guitarist would pick one or the other based solely on their budget. It has been my observation that in the last few years, more and more guitarists are requesting pegs for their guitars. There are some very compelling reasons for using pegs: They are quicker than gears; they are lighter than gears, which can help the balance of lighter cypress-bodied guitars; and from an aesthetic point of view, pegs are hard to beat. 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.
Posted on May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 by Dale Phillips It Worked for Me: Pantograph It Worked for Me: Pantograph by Greg Nelson Originally published in American Lutherie #110, 2012 A pantograph has become my solution for dealing with small pieces of shell for inlay work. This simple device has allowed me to upgrade the quality of my inlay work as well as speed up the process. This is especially true with repeat work such as a logo. The pantograph is simply a series of rods connected in such a way that if one end is anchored and the other moved, a point between will move exactly the same but at a set fraction of the original movement. My pantograph is set up for a 50% reduction in size thereby giving me greater control of my cutting tool. 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.
Posted on April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 by Dale Phillips Product Reviews: Garrett Wade Versatile Vise Product Reviews: Garrett Wade Versatile Vise by R.M. Mottola Originally published in American Lutherie #119, 2014 Garrett Wade Versatile Vise #05R10.10, $84.70 garrettwade.com The item reviewed in the following paragraphs was provided to American Lutherie for review. A draft of this review was sent to the supplier prior to publication so that any factual errors in the review could be corrected. A long time ago, before I started doing any serious woodworking, I had the pleasure of visiting the shop of a local woodcarver. In addition to a bewildering collection of gouges and mallets, he had a cool work-holding vise which could be positioned to hold the work in just about any position. I had forgotten most of the details of that visit soon after, but when it came time to begin equipping my own lutherie shop, I remembered that vise and considered it would be just the thing as the primary work-holding device. With only a description of what it could do, I rooted around for information and finally found that it was called a Versa Vise and was American made. That was the good news. 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.
Posted on April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by Dale Phillips It Worked for Me: Baby Bottle It Worked for Me: Baby Bottle by Robert Sherman Originally published in American Lutherie #109, 2012 One of my favorite bench tools that I use every day is a simple baby bottle. It is a spill-proof fluid delivery system that dispenses one drop at a time, every time, and can be used easily with one hand. Whether I need a mild soapy solution as a cutting lubricant for block sanding during finishing, or pure water to wet a fingerboard while fretting or refretting, this tool is in constant use on my bench. If you make small batches of hot hide glue, you will appreciate how conveniently you can add a controlled amount of water to thin the mix. These are inexpensive and can be obtained at any pharmacy or supermarket in the baby section. I have been using the same bottle for more than ten years without any leakage or deterioration of the seals. But I do find that solvents can soften the rubber, so these are best suited for water-based cargo. For dropping alcohol, I still prefer a hot sauce bottle with the tiny hole at the top seal. Photo by Robert Sherman. My son is now twelve years old, but I can credit him for giving me the idea when he started eating solid foods and, ever the conservationist, I had to find a new use for his old baba. ◆
