Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey Joe!!! . Good to hear and I hope you are well and doing great and your back is doing good too.

Old thread but I just came across this. In addition to learning a ton about CNC-ing guitar parts here from guys like Bob Garrish, no way I could have gotten off the ground without the OLF

I had just gotten canned from my medical device job and instead of going back to work for the machine, I decided to hang up my CNC-shingle (with a side of brain surgery for about two years to help make ends meet). I'd say that 90% of my business in the early days was 100% OLF ( ) .

Funny story - making necks was always on my to-do list but I was procrastinating because it's pretty complicated. Mike Franks, another OLF Denizen many of you know, somehow figured out we live like 2 miles apart so he came over here and beat my head until I was making necks!

So thanks Lance (and Mike!!)!!!

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

About 13 years ago I was researching a new classical guitar for myself.
I stumbled across the OLF and was amazed that folks were building guitars in their basements.
Joined the forum, bought a partial kit from LMI and the Cumpiano book, and have been hooked ever since.
I retired about 5 years ago, so I do a lot of setups, repairs and restorations for coffee money.
And I get the odd commission - I have 2 I am working on now.
MOST of the information on jigs and fixtures and setup and everyday building tips I have learned from the OLF.
Yes, the OLF has spawned my little basement business and most importantly has help keep my hands and mind busy post retirement.

So thanks to Lance and all of you that have shared your knowledge so freely!

Rob

Very cool and I was thinking of you Andy when I started this tread.

There have been many more businesses that started largely because of the OLF. RC Tonewoods comes to mind and the other members who ventured into tone wood distribution.

Or, in other words a bit of an economy has been built around the forum or was spawned from forum participation. I know that our business would have never come to be if it had not been for the OLF.

When the OLF started I think 2005 I met Lance at Westminster ASIA symposium. RC was there and we agreed to help and were sponsers
Lots happened through the years but for me I know this and other forums helped amateur builders get information and to find places to get tools and supplies. Before OLF we had MIMF but OLF was more free with information. So OLF started the ball Rolling. There was a learning curve and we all learned.
I want to thank OLF and my supporters that helped me make a successful career . Hard to think that I have been doing this just shy of 25 yrs. I have now made over 270 guitars 1000s of kits and over 4000 benders and I can't imagine the number of molds and other fixtures.Been repairing guitars for over 15 as a Martin repair shop and last count over 20 conversions . So while OLF helped get me started and others we took the opportunity .
No one gets to the top of their profession by themselves. Someone gave you information , help , hints so thanks for the help and pay it forward .
Not everyone can make a career of this but those of us that did owe in some way a thank you for OLF , and Lance. Stay well

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I remember a lot of this and much of my stuff, molds, benders, extra springs, blankets, slats came from you. A LOT of advice came from you John too and I am forever grateful, thank You!

You were also our eyes and ears at Martin and that was helpful as well.

An entire economy of sorts was created around the OLF including dozens of businesses some of them not so small.

I was there too, good times! Hi Lance, John, Clay, Alan, Todd, and many others. A long trip from Norway, for sure. As for my 'business', I developed wood dust allergies which became a real problem, and helped put an end to the 'pro' period. I am building again, but not nearly as much as back then.

Sent fra min SM-G991B via Tapatalk

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Olf has definitely helped me improve my business.
Off the top my head 3 of the biggest things I learned here were:

Go bar decks ….This has to be the single most important technique I use in building guitars. It has helped my efficiency tremendously.
I would’ve never imagined that I could build guitars as fast as I can now without that one technique.

The dome sanding form…
Before I learned this technique here on the OLF I could never get results I was satisfied with in my back arching.
Once I started using this system I got perfect results from then on.

The Williams/Fleischmann binding jig…
I built one of these jigs and used it for many years and it vastly improved the quality of my binding work.
I now use the Elevate binding jig mostly but I still keep the Williams/Fleischmann jig for certain operations.

Also just having a place where I could ask questions if I’m stuck on something without fear of judgment makes this a great place.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ve picked up several tips here. We celebrated our 30th year in business this year and back when we started I learned mostly from the local library reading Irving Sloane’s book because the internet was in its infancy. I was more active on this forum back in my early years but somewhat fell away. I do check in from time to time. Thanks Lance for keeping it going all these years and I do credit this forum for helping me over a few stumbling blocks along the way.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

Hey Tim!!! Merry Christmas to you my friend!!