Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Bowes on March 17, 2013 at 12:16pm

Chris

Thanks, I am originally form west Yorkshire (Leeds)  and get up the occasionally so might take you up on the offer. I was just trying to share my good fortune, I have struggled with finding materials. I am on my third attempt/ build at the moment and trying to adjust me last one.

Regards David

Permalink Reply by Chris Thomas on March 17, 2013 at 10:24pm

Hi David, you are welcome to call in anytime, let me know when you are visiting and I will forward my address. Keep up the good work mate, all the best, Chris. :)

Permalink Reply by Boxy Music on March 17, 2013 at 12:27pm

I can vouch for the North East Timber folks that Tony posted the link to, I have bought all my fretboard wood from them - they are really happy to help with anything specific if you get in touch with the directly too.

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 17, 2013 at 10:36pm

I'll keep the North East Timber link in case I want to attempt a fretted version later on.  At the moment I'm using the KISS principal as I have pretty much zero woodworking skills, all I have is the enthusiasm to have a go.

So many decent people here willing to offer help and advice, glad I found this place.

Midge

Permalink Reply by smojo on March 18, 2013 at 7:49am

Anyone in the west yorkshire area looking for wood should check out John Boddy at Boroughbridge. They are specialist timber merchants open to the public and have a great selection of woods and not bad priced.

Permalink Reply by Tony Brown on March 20, 2013 at 6:07am

Another possible supplier Midge.

Gibson Craftwood

Mail@gibsoncraftwoo.co.uk

They are also on EBay.

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 20, 2013 at 8:53am

Thanks Tony

I'll have a browse on there.  I have 4 pieces on the way for starters.  Oh and 3 boxes acquired so far as well.

I hope to start work on my first at the weekend, just ordered some strings from Chickenbone John too.

Thanks again for the site link.

Midge

Permalink Reply by Stevesteve on June 24, 2013 at 8:16pm

Just came across this thread late... sorry!

I passed a neighbours house where some solid mahogany window frames were being removed to have PVC fitted. I saved the bottoms of the frames which is basically a 2"x2" section with a tapered lip. I have sawn off the lip leaving me a nice (free) neck blank.

If you're shameless, asking neighbours for bits from skips is usually met with a very positive response.

Cheers,

Steve

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 24, 2013 at 8:27pm

Skip hunting is my fave way of getting timber. I can walk or drive past without glancing to see if there's anything likely to salvage...to the extent where I can spot something likely at 20 metres away! Furniture is often pretty good, (oak, beech, mahogany is fairly common) but be careful with stuff like those window frames - it will be pretty wet, and will need bringing inside to dry out and stabilise before you start working it.

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on June 24, 2013 at 9:18pm

i was lucky i found a hard wood supplier who stocks American Oak, cuts it and planes to size with their own planing machine, it is important the wood is perfectly flat, unfortunately i do not have the means to get it perfectly straight and flat, i bought some from him yesterday - he did me a good deal on a good number of  3 - 4ft.lengths, Hep i'll give you his number if you fancy ordering what you want and driving down to Bushey Herts. to collect them! (-:

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 24, 2013 at 10:37pm

Can't get the wood straight and flat? You just need to get a decent old Stanley or Record plane, hone the blade and set it up right. It really isn't that hard, honestly. I know I've got all the heavy duty kit in my workshop but I wouldn't be without my trusty old try and jack planes...if anything it's more accurate planing by hand than machine, just physically harder work. You get a better surface finish straight off the handtool and don't get that nasty "snipe" at the end of the piece that sometimes happens with machined timber.

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on June 25, 2013 at 5:11am

i'll give it a try, must be better than going to the Gym..! (-;

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