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It's been a few months, but I thought I would post and update for anyone interested. I ended up taking the back of the mando (it was starting to come off anyway) and found a few issues. The crack in...

I looked for stamped numbers to no avail. I also used my arthroscope to look around inside. Nothing there either. I will be pulling the back off for some soundboard repair. The back is coming off...

204882204883204884204885

Hi Folks,
I was recently given a vintage Odell Mandolin to be repaired. It looks like a fairly inexpensive mando and the headstock says Odell Quality Boston Mass. It is an A style, oval hole. I am...

Hi folks, I was looking for information (and found an old thread from 2013-14) about dark glue lines on spruce tops. I didn't really see any resolution to the issue that seemed to have plagued a few...

Thank you all for your feedback. Again, I am amazed at the knowledge and willingness to share.

Hi all, It's been a while since I've posted a question but I need a bit more clarity on defining the scroll on an F-Style. I am currently carving my first F-style top. I am using StewMac's plans,...

I really do appreciate all the responses, but I want to assure you I have over the years looked through the archives and such.
My post was an honest, yet I admit, somewhat cynical question as to...

Wow. You all are great. Thanks for the information. Love the comments.

I am just wondering if anyone has really shared the soundboard thicknesses of Lloyd Loar mandolins? It seems that makers are kind of closed mouthed about it. I understand the need to keep certain...

Hi all, I know this has been asked before, but I am hoping there are updates. I would love to build an octave mandolin and I cannot decide on the plans. I want one that has as much information as...

John, I am wondering if you scraped the polyurethane glue off and then used some kind of solvent with a stiff ? given the 'expanding' nature of the glue and propensity to work itself into the grain,...

I watched this series on Youtube not to long ago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce5AfQTEuE0). Some good ideas that can be modified for a Mando case. Re: adhesives for foam I have used V&S Foam and...

Just a quick note on the birth year Martin. The '70's weren't an especially good decade for Martin. You can find a lot about that online. However, my Martin is IMHO able to go up against some of the...

I have heard good things about the Rigid Oscillating Spindle Sander. Seems a versatile tool (it's on my list). Anyone have experience with it?

I was watching a video from O'brien Guitars (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQvUdtRXrRY), and aside from some great ideas for a drill press router and shellac pore filling, Robert was talking about...

Someone once told me "if you want to make a million building guitars (or Mandolins), start with two million.
Sage advice at this point.

If you have access to the internet (which you obviously do) you should check out Tabledit.com. Tabledit is a free software download and there are plenty of links to mandolin tabs. I am not sure what...

I advocate sticking a flashlight in the F holes and looking at it in a dimly lit room. Light always reveals things the eye cannot see alone.
I've used LED flashlights. They are bright and very...

Love the idea of the hacksaw blades! What teeth per inch do you recommend?
The Liogier rasps look fantastic, but Can't afford them (yet). Those monies are going
to wood :-)

I am wondering what you builders prefer in tools for neck shaping?
I am about to purchase either micro plane
or a shinto rasp (both?).
Thought I would find out the general thought out there....

Some cities have a Plastics supply (ours does) and sell scrap by the pound. I have picked up UHMW in the past pretty cheap.
I bet if you have something like that and a hole saw that would allow you...

Some cities have plastic supply stores and have scrap bins. Ours you can buy scrap by the pound. I have picked up usable pieces of clear and even UHMW plastic (great for jigs and such) on the cheap.

Oops, sorry, I misread the post....guess I have sides on my mind.

You could fill the slots with baking soda and super glue. Stew-Mac has a free video in their online video selection about this technique. I would think it could be used for a saddle as well.