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Builders log http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=31757 |
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Author: | muse [ Tue Apr 05, 2011 10:59 pm ] |
Post subject: | Builders log |
Question for everyone: Do you keep a log of all your builds? If so what all do you include in the log, how do you keep it (paper, spreadsheet) and has it proven useful? Thanks, Carl. |
Author: | Gtrman13 [ Wed Apr 06, 2011 9:25 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
I keep track of all of mine with excel spreadsheets. Works well for me. |
Author: | Hank Mauel [ Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:32 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
I do a "Build Sheet" for each guitar. At the end, I hand write in a small spiral notebook all the details along with any changes made during the build. Also has customer name, serial number and completion date. When I'm dead and buried, maybe someone will give $5 on Ebay for the written record. ![]() (Tried to attach a copy of the Build Sheet for your perusal but the forum system won't accept a "doc" file) |
Author: | brenbrenCT [ Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:02 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Gtrman13 wrote: I keep track of all of mine with excel spreadsheets. Works well for me. me too i have all the material attributes on the front sheet, all the critical dimensions on the next, and on the last sheet a record of my time. its stapled to the front of a file folder and any receipts of other papers go in there along with the invoice. |
Author: | Bailey [ Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:38 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
I put everything on the label. Takes up the whole inside. You need a mirror to read it all. ![]() Yes...I also log each build in a spiral notebook. I have also mixed epoxy on the cover. Kent |
Author: | gozierdt [ Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:22 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
I've started a detailed set of build sheets for each new guitar. Especially since I now do extensive testing of the wood properties and the vibration modes for both top and back, it's become imperative to keep accurate records if I'm going to learn anything from all this data. Part of the record- vibration mode shapes, bracing, pictures of finished guitars, I keep in folders on my PC. |
Author: | Pete Brown [ Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:34 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
A growing number of us are using a commercially-available software product developed specifically for this purpose. It allows you to document materials, dimensions, weights, deflection measurements, resonances, finishes, finish schedules, build notes and image files in a single centralized database. There are a number of features of interest to the professional builder or repair person too. There's a free 30-day trial version available if you care to track it down. |
Author: | Matt Bouchie [ Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:58 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Pete Brown wrote: A growing number of us are using a commercially-available software product developed specifically for this purpose. It allows you to document materials, dimensions, weights, deflection measurements, resonances, finishes, finish schedules, build notes and image files in a single centralized database. There are a number of features of interest to the professional builder or repair person too. There's a free 30-day trial version available if you care to track it down. What's it called? It sounds interesting. Not that I'm a professional builder by any stretch, but I'd be much more likely to keep things more organized if it was on my laptop than a bunch of sheets waiting to someday be filed in a binder. Ask my boss. She'll tell you I'm lousy at filing progress notes on my clients. ![]() Matt |
Author: | woody b [ Sat Apr 09, 2011 7:59 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Pete Brown wrote: A growing number of us are using a commercially-available software product developed specifically for this purpose. It allows you to document materials, dimensions, weights, deflection measurements, resonances, finishes, finish schedules, build notes and image files in a single centralized database. There are a number of features of interest to the professional builder or repair person too. There's a free 30-day trial version available if you care to track it down. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() There's 2 excellent solutions here. http://www.whistlingfishsoftware.com.au/Products.htm The guy who designed the software is a good guy too. ![]() |
Author: | David LaPlante [ Sat Apr 09, 2011 11:18 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Yes, about thirty years ago I found one of those blank ledger books, you know, with the greenish tint pages and the black and burgundy binding cover. I reconstructed the info for the first couple dozen guitars that I had made and have logged in every one since. I include the configuration, materials description, serial # year and season (summer, fall etc) of construction. I'll also include any other bits of info that might have made the guitar unusual, who it was made for etc. Often when these guitars surface again years later I'll go back and note current owners etc. Particular construction notes are kept in a portion of the back of the book regarding binding and purfling schemes as well as general info on dimensions for the various parts. Also there are a few tables to remind me of which bearing sizes produce what size cuts etc. |
Author: | douglas ingram [ Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:55 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
So far...no. |
Author: | meddlingfool [ Sat Apr 09, 2011 1:46 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Yup. What it was, where it went, what I got for it. More these days as I'm doing deflection testing and recording resonances etc. 6.00. Please take your time though, really, I'm in no rush.... |
Author: | Mike Baker [ Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:49 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
I started that with this build(second scratch build). I print out a Build Log Schedule that lists the different steps in building, and tick them off as I build. I include time,any specs for the particular build, woods, scale, etc. |
Author: | muse [ Sun Apr 10, 2011 2:35 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Mike Baker wrote: I print out a Build Log Schedule that lists the different steps in building, and tick them off as I build. Mike, Any chance I could talk you into sharing your Build Log Schedule? ![]() Thanks, Carl. |
Author: | Mike Baker [ Sun Apr 10, 2011 8:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Builders log |
Yeah. It's simply a list of the order in which I build. I check off everything as it gets done, with any notes on how things went, how much time it took, etc., to the right of whichever step I'm on. There's enough room to the right to make note of woods, body and neck style, nut measurement, # frets, type of frets, scale length or anything else I want. Here's a sample. BUILD LOG SCHEDULE. 1-Make body and top carve templates 2-make neck joint template ORDER BRIDGE TO DETERMINE TOP ANGLE/INCLINE 3-cut out body 4-rout body outline 5-rout rear body roundover 6-rout body carve 7-rough shape body carve 8-plane top angle 9-complete sanding of top carve ORDER TRUSS ROD 10-rout neck mortise 11-locate and rout pup cavities 12-locate and drill vol/tone/switch holes 13-rout rear cavity ORDER TUNERS 14-make neck scarf 15-thickness headstock area 16-glue up head plate ORDER FRETWIRE 17-draw neck on blank 18-rout truss rod slot 19-cut out neck shape 20-cut neck tenon 21-sand sides of neck to size 22-cut headstock shape 23-sand/shape headstock(sides) 24-drill tuner holes(use CLAMPED backer board) 25-layout and score fret locations 26-slot fretboard 27- mark position marker locations. REMEMBER THE 12TH FRET IS NOT ON CENTER 28-drill/rout for and install markers 29-size fretboard 30-radius fretboard 31-recheck fret slot depths 32-install neck binding and radius to board 33-install last 5 or so frets 34-install truss rod 35-if compression, install filler strip 36-glue fretboard to neck 37-install all remaining frets 38-bevel fret ends 39-shape back of neck , heel and headstock 40-install heel cap 41-join neck to body 42-locate and drill bridge mounting holes 43-drill strap button locations 44- recheck bridge location/position 45- level and crown frets 46-final sand before finish 47-stain, if desired 48-begin finish process PURCHASE PICKUPS, POTS, SWITCH, JACK AND ALL REMAIN HARDWARE I store this generic file on my desktop, and just print one out for every build I do. I use a thumb tack to tack it up over my bench so it's easy to find. |
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