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Random Sunday morning photo dump that might be ent

Random Sunday morning photo dump that might be entertaining: .
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1)Cello neck reset from late last year, looking at it this morning for the encouragement that they look like crap until the very end.
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2)Reprorubber, a metrology grade casting rubber. Shown here with a very anachronistic touch probe scanner from 1999. This is the mortise area of the same cello from the first pic. The touch probe is kind of fun because it’s kind of set it and forget it. Come back 2 hours later to a point cloud of the object.
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3)My favorite way of dressing down smaller patches. The split will go to the bottom of the kerf.
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4)I never liked using a wedge/closing clamp set up to glue ribs back on to upper blocks. I might work on a commercial version of this at some point.
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5)Fresh baked cast. Yum… it’s useful to bake a cast at low temps for many hours when you need to use a cast as soon as possible. Makes the house smell like wet hot clay though.
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6)little tear out replacement sequence on a sweet Bailly violin.
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7&8)Before and after block replacement on the violin that’s in my previous post. Before doesn’t do it justice for how much of a gap existed between the top and the block. Probably the reason for sinking projection.
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9)A jig I made to glue shoes onto cello neck roots. Turns out the cello version is kind of universal and lazy me doesn’t have to make one for violin.
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10) modifying a clamp. I try not to be afraid to modify a clamp. Can mean the difference between easy clamping and struggling. #jhlviolins #luthier #lutherie #digitallutherie #violinrepair #photodump #violin #cello #whatsonyourbench

This went through my stories the last 2-3 weeks an

This went through my stories the last 2-3 weeks and I got a lot of questions about it. I figured I would put it here in case it helps someone in the future. This was redoing a previous attempt at securing this broken piece of rib.
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1) Before disassembly I cleaned off the previous retouching and discovered that wood was removed where the crack wasn’t level.
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2. Making a small scale bondo cast with dental foil as a barrier. This served a few functions from safety and alignment, correcting the shape, and keeping the rib true while silk was drying.
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3)With the block safely gone, the rib piece could come off and be cleaned some more.
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4) Correcting the bondo cast. You can correct bondo just like plaster. Here, I turned a bump into a hollow. The cast was then lined with carpet tape and PETG plastic. For my UK friends, I believe bondo is available as body filler (?) it’s a car product (polyester resin).
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5) Gluing with packing tape used as a hinge for alignment. It came off later with mineral spirits (white spirits/stoddard). The inside counter form has a tighter radius to compress the foam into the outside counter form. This was allowed to dry for a week plus before applying very thin silk. This was also allowed to dry in the counter form for a long time.
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6)Fitting the block over the silk. The silk added almost nothing to the thickness, and will serve as support, along with the block for the crack.
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7)Pre retouching.
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8) Post retouching. #jhlviolins #violinrestorer #violinrestoration #luthier #lutherie #violin #ribs #silk #retouching #bondo

In case some one finds this useful: I like partia

In case some one finds this useful: I like partial casts, particularly those made from bondo, because they are fast to make. I dislike them because they are inherently less safe than a full plaster cast. Clamping the plate to them becomes problematic, and usually half of the plate is sticking out into space on your bench where it runs the chance of getting damaged. In the past I’ve countered this with sand bags (or bags of lead shot), or I’ve made overly complicated platforms. This is pretty fast and provides a measure of safety.
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It’s just kaizen foam and an old cradle, held together with double sided carpet tape. Took no time to throw together.
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This foam only really provides light support for easy clamping in the cast. More importantly, it’s a barrier for tools and such on the bench. Kaizen foam is available a lot of places and can be easily cut with a knife, bandsaw, hot wire, or a CNC router. #jhlviolins #violinrepair #violinrestoration #luthier #loothing #violin

Ready to finally offer these at large: Violin/Viol

Ready to finally offer these at large: Violin/Viola Wing Crack Clamp. $155 plus $10 to ship (USPS priority to US destinations). ROW please enquire. I have a *few* for immediate shipment, otherwise you will be on my list for contact when I have more available. DM me on this account or on my alternate account @bench_monkey_engineering . Payment by square invoice. Read below for specs and more information:
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I always wanted a wing crack clamp, when I was finally ready to buy one I couldn't. So, as an outgrowth of the digital skills I've acquired making jigs/fixtures and machining in my repair work I took it upon myself as a challenge to design a clamp that would be hyper lightweight. This model is +/- 33gr and is made of PETG printed plastic that is CNC milled on major surfaces to tolerance. The arms are of 7075 aluminum, the fittings are in either 303 stainless or are black oxide coated steel. All connections are threaded and thread locked. I chose this method of manufacture, because in the unlikely event a part should break, it can be shipped to me and I can repair it. I've impact tested these, it takes a lot to break one.
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I've tried to keep them as affordable as possible, but they are relatively complex and some of the parts are costly. I'm only making these as I have time with my normal restoration work. Yes, I am working on a cello version and wing lifters. Also working on other things….😎 #jhlviolins #wingcrack #toolmaking #violinrepair #violinrestorer #violinrestoration

Todays overly artsy photo: removing retouching wi

Todays overly artsy photo: removing retouching with scalpel under UV. I put this in my stories, but I’m kind of fond of it 🤣 #uvlight #scalpel #violinrepair #violinrestoration #violin #jhlviolins

My phone wants to call it purpling. . #celloresto

My phone wants to call it purpling.
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#cellorestoration #purfling #cncinserts #retouching #violinrestoration #lutherie #jhlviolins

Todays overly artsy and nerdy shot: fused SLS scan

Todays overly artsy and nerdy shot: fused SLS scan of some mild top block tear out. #violin #structuredlightscanning #digitallutherie #violinrepair #loothing #tearout

Todays overly artsy pic: sausage fingers removing

Todays overly artsy pic: sausage fingers removing packing tape covering a split. #ribsplit #violinrepair #whatsonyourbench #violin #tape #luthier #lutherie

I feel very privileged to have been picked for the

I feel very privileged to have been picked for the @the_bvma member spotlight for issue #107 of the BVMA Quarterly. My copy just arrived in the mail today.
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Being a garden variety American, who hasn’t set foot in the UK in 20 years, you may wonder why I’m a member. There are three reasons: 1)Ben Hebbert @mrstradman threatened there would be consequences if I didn’t join. 2)To support like minded individuals. The instrument trade in the States has always been linked with our British cousins. As long as we speak a mostly common language, that will most likely continue. 3) The Quarterly is my favorite publication in the trade. Totally worth the membership dues for that alone. #bvma #violin #viola #cello #violinbow #violinrestorer

A few months back I was asked by a rather good vio

A few months back I was asked by a rather good violinist to glue up his fathers cello that had been in a basement flood. The center seam was quite stubborn, however I remembered this trick involving reversing an Irwin quick grip clamp to become a “repulser.” It then could work with a C clamp and a bar clamp to push the seam back in place. I think I read about this on Frank Ford’s website (IHG friends, help me out?).
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To make happen, file the nub on fixed end, remove the fixed jaw, slide the moveable jaw off and reverse. Doing it on the fixed end insures you won’t inadvertently loose the movable end. #clamps #quickgripclamps #violinrepair #cello #macgyvering #jhlviolins

This morning’s overly artistic shot: backlit st

This morning’s overly artistic shot: backlit straightedge. #jhlviolins #lutherie #straightedge #cello #violinrepair #violinrestoration #cellorepair #cellorestoration

For a friend who asked about this: This is my rec

For a friend who asked about this: This is my recently cobbled together jig for gluing a shoe onto a cello neck root. It consists of a horizontal toggle clamp (available from harbor freight, Grizzly, rockler, etc) on a piece of wood that gets clamped to the fingerboard surface. The only part of the shape that is critical is the notch that exists in the overhang. This allows for the shoe to stick up proud of the board surface for proper trimming later.
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The advantage of this sort of jig becomes self explanatory to anyone who has messed awkward shaped cauls and standard clamps. The top of the shoe is normally the hardest portion to clamp, here it it’s the easiest, allowing for casual placements of the rest of the clamps. I’m sure I’m not the first to think of this, and someone will probably enthusiastically mention it in the comments. #violinrepair #cello #clamp #cellorepair #cellorestoration #jhlviolins #jigsandfixtures #sillyamericanwithhisjigs

“Well, I found your buzz.” . There’s a tradi

“Well, I found your buzz.”
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There’s a tradition amongst fiddlers to place rattlesnake tails inside violins. The reasons vary from “keeping evil spirits away,” to “keeping mice from making a home inside the violin.”
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#buzz #violin #rattlesnake #lutherie #whatsonyourbench #violinrepair #jhlviolins

A huge thank you (perhaps a bit late) to my luthie

A huge thank you (perhaps a bit late) to my luthier brother from another branch of the tree Doug Proper @guitarspecialistinc for providing me with Christmas in July. Today I needed a tool I didn’t have, and remembered Doug and Sharon’s wonderful gift. All of these things will be put to good use, my brain is still unpacking everything. Doug, you are a gentleman and a scholar. For all of my violin friends, @guitarspecialistinc is more than worth a follow. Many of the issues we discuss that relate to conservation, interventions, and originality, he’s talking about from a different perspective. #loothing #tools #christmasinjuly #violin #guitar #luthier

A little PSA to help out a friend: yesterday, I dr

A little PSA to help out a friend: yesterday, I drove through the beautiful Pennsylvania country side to visit @jpmcdevitt_ shop just out side of Reading, PA to go through a massive collection violins he inherited from the previous owner of the business.
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Joe has decided that it’s time to disperse all of these. So ATTENTION LUTHIERS: there are deals to be had. There are a lot of “the usual” Markneukirchen/Schönbach instruments in various states of repair from clean and crack free to not so clean and crack free. There are some interesting older Mittenwald instruments, a few Mirecourt, a couple of American amateur instruments. Basically, a lot of stuff that could be turned around and sold, or be used as practice instruments for skills you aren’t comfortable with yet. Contact @jpmcdevitt_ for more details
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.3rd pic is a 20’s Roth shop instrument on offer.
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.4th picture is a very interesting instrument most likely some sort of flavor of early 19th century Bohemian.
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As a personal note, it was fun using a set of skills I haven’t used in over 4 years. If you’re struggling with general (or maybe even specific) violin shop expertise, or a large collection, reach out and we’ll see what we can work out. #violinforsale #violin #luthier #viola #violinrepair #violinrestoration #violincollection

Posted for a friend, might not be here long…. .

Posted for a friend, might not be here long….
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Okay, I was persuaded to keep it. Was used for an online zoom discussion, Instagram posts are convenient for the format.
1)my main retouching resins I use, from left to right: Manila Copal, “light” shellac, seedlac, Myrrh, sandarac. Copal only gets used in fill varnish. Myrrh is a matting agent.
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2)My more regular used dyes and pigments. I always use a combination, I find that dyes on their own look like koolaid, pigment looks like paint. So, I use both. Others do fine with just one or the other. Most used for general work are the Old Wood 1700 black and orange, and various dry yellow pigments.
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3)Most common additives I use - from left to right, stand oil, matting agent, aluminum hydroxide, blanc fixe, spike lavender oil. Stand oil gets used very sparingly, it doesn’t incorporate into retouch varnish, but it will allow a great deal of matting agent to be incorporated with out “chalking” when incorporating into filler varnish. Wipes off the top when the varnish kicks. Matting agent is self explanatory. Aluminum hydroxide is a bulking agent. Blanc Fixe will kill reflection. Spike lavender oil doubles the effect of myrrh, and helps to hide brush strokes (used very sparingly.)
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4)My weapons of choice - Reserva Escoda round brushes, a Windsor Newton flat brush, Richpen Phoenix 213 with a .2mm nozzle. #retouching #paintbrush #airbrush #violin #violinrepair #jhlviolins #violinrestoration

These flew by in my stories, I got a great deal of

These flew by in my stories, I got a great deal of requests to explain some stuff. Hope it’s helpful!
1). KNO3, 10% solution exposed to a UVB reptisun 13watt bulb for an hour. Just enough to knock the white off.
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2) Black tea steeped in alcohol to form a tincture used as a stain. You can form a lot of weak stains by steeping things in alcohol.
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3)bleeding blacks with staedler pigment liner. .05mm is the most useful size.
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4)disguising joints with Windsor Newton Naples yellow. Tube color, not the dry worthless things we used as kids. Needs to have gum Arabic. Also shown is drawing grain lines with a derwent inktense pencil. Madder brown is the only one you really need to buy.
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5)sealing with a dilute solution of retouch varnish with a small amount of blanc fixe (barium sulfate), this helps to kill reflection of poor wood choice :-). A little more water color on top, W-N Davy Grey.
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6 retouch varnish (usual blend is Light shellac, sandarac and essence of myrrh) and color coats (old wood black and orange, Kremer Indian yellow dry pigment)
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7)fully varnished corner. I added more clear After this so I could screw with it some more.
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8)removing a lot of varnish so I could beat it up to look like the rest of this unfortunate cello. Swann-Morton #10 scalpel, I usually use this for removing retouch. Works well for this too.
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9) dusting on dry pigment to act as a haze on the top layer and to add opacity. This is Cyprus burnt umber. Most gets blown away by the airbrush.
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10) the airbrush in action, sealing in the dust. Yes, I should have worn a mask. After this, a very light wipe of a polish cloth with a low drag oil and retouch varnish with a small drop of lavender spike. Not actually “polishing” #cello #violinrepair #loothing #toomuchinformation #retouching

Random photos for May, 2022: It’s been a struggl

Random photos for May, 2022: It’s been a struggle trying to get everything done that need to happen. I’ve been doing some cool things, just haven’t had time to document them. So photo dump:
1) I cut a new bridge for my longest running fussy client. He made me a better luthier many years ago. It’s for a 1950 Becker. He bought it in 55. This might be the last spruce up for his instrument with him as the owner.
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2. Fancy wood fill, I’ll post more about this later. Basically easing the gaps at very old splits. More conservative than doing a button replacement.
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3. I’ve been working on a method to prebend shavings for gaping cracks. Not quite ready for prime time. Essentially, they are pressed between forms drawn from pics imported to fusion.
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3. Spent a lot of time in may digging out nasty fill and making inserts for missing wood.
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4. Cello bridge I cut this past month.
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5 & 6. Kerfed magnet clamping cauls. Made from PLA, the bottom layer is .5mm thick. Works well for getting things in place fast. I decided to tape the magnets in place so I can pull them out easy and use them for something else.
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7. I came across this picture recently. It’s from 1999… the PSU chamber orchestra’s trip to Europe. The photo was taken in the Ferris wheel in the Prater (Vienna). I’m all the way on the left. It’s when I had hair, and was more aerodynamic. #jhlviolins #violin #violinbridge #cellobridge #3dprinting #bridgesoflycomingcounty #violinrepair

A friend has been asking about clamping strategies

A friend has been asking about clamping strategies for the dreaded A/D peg split. After trying all kinds of counter forms, I lopped off part of a brass model makers clamp. It works well for most common splits of this type. You can thin them out quite a lot before they loose the ability to close a crack. They can also be further augmented with polymorph or 3D printed structures for added stability. #clamping #brass #violinrepair #pegbox #lutherie #loothing

Today’s overly artsy shot. #digitallutherie #cn

Today’s overly artsy shot. #digitallutherie #cnc #cello #cellorestoration #3dscanning #violinrestoration

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