Official Luthiers Forum!

Anyone had shocks from static electricity when buffing guitars?
Never had a problem myself but I've only buffed two, and I have a couple coming up and I would hate to drop the workpiece because of a shock.
Someone suggested using an ESD wrist band grounded to the buffer.
I would use it on my ankle rather than my wrist because of the rotating machinery thing.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Can't say I have.....

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I haven't either. Exceptionally dry climate? Strapped to your ankle ... I agree much smarter than to your wrist. Maybe a ball and chain?! lol ... sorry couldn't resist. Married, you know the drill. (apologies to Ms. G if I offend, it is in jest)

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

You went there? The visuals are killing me ... lol

Started out in the finish room buffing out guitars and necks for about a year. Never once was shocked while doing so. The biggest danger is catching an edge in the wheel and watching your guitar slam into the ground. My advice is put some soft towels and padding under the machine just in case.

While it does seem possible to create static when buffing I have also never experienced that in over 10 years of buffing guitars and I buff quite aggressively on four different wheels mounted to two buffers. I can certainly see how it would cause concern. I'm not a fan of unexpected static shocks, especially while holding a guitar or neck just inches or less away from large spinning guitar destroyers.

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jw ( o)===:::

I have a pal in the body shop biz who runs a chain over the rear axle of the car being painted, and clips a chain to his belt while spraying that drags the ground in case of static electricity. Just like shooting guitars, you never get dirt or bugs in the first coats... it's the last finish coats, and it's a real PITA. Had to sand a bug out of the clear on my first lacquer job back in the 70's... a pearl white Gibson ES-330.... I was so ANGRY. Came out great, though.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

What about a metal plate on the floor connected to ground and you would use the machine bare foot?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Barefoot? Not particularly sensible n a workshop ….....
And I was querying if anyone has had experience of static shocks when buffing.
Have you?

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I never have but I don’t live in a bone dry place with forced air heating (which is what drops humidity to nothing). Going barefoot is much safer than using a strap on your ankle that can become a trip hazard.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

The fellow who led my safety training when I joined my local woodworking club (several days of mandatory training and a “no joke” test at the end) is a workplace safety consultant. I do believe he would have a conniption fit if anybody ever suggested either strapping a conductive leash to your ankle or going barefoot in a working shop.

NEW WORD!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Are you allowed to use "American English" on that side of the pond?

Or I don't know, perhaps a ankle strap that connects to a conductive plate on the bottom of your shoes, and a metal plate on the floor that grounds it out. There are lots of possibilities.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

this is a total shot in the dark, but is your motor properly grounded?

Dang sure am an' is.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I don’t think intentionally making yourself part of a grounding circuit around plugged in electrical equipment is EVER a smart idea!

Brian

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Brian R, Wood Mechanic
N8ZED

Colin--

In exchange for "conniption," I'll thank you for a fun word I learned in Edinburgh a few years ago:

GARDYLOO!!!

Not so useful now, but in its time, failing to pay attention to that warning from above would have guaranteed a really bad day.