Hopefully this will be done in a couple of days. Martin. As you can see, my helper has held this project up from the start, she's fired !! I alwaws welcome critisizm, cause I am always looking for a better mousetrap. You will not hurt my feelings, if you would change anything I would like to hear about it. Thanks, Martin. ( I used an old Sho-Bud changer houseing rather than machine another like I usually do, getting lazy I guess.)
Mike
(The name he his known by his friends here in Florida.)
Hey pal, that is another super job.
I'll have to drop by the shop and check it out.
See you soon.
Don
Thanks James, the next one will be very special as I will build it for my own personal guitar. It will be a knockout I hope. I have some different ideas on mechanics and inlay work that should be great. Hope to get started in about 3 weeks, I have to order more wood and more aluminum. Martin.
Mike's work is excellent and clean.
If my memory serves me well from looking at his last two steels he made he uses bushings which don't need oiling.
Thus there would not be any soiling of the felt on the underside of the steel.
Don
Actually it isnt felt, its flocking and put on with a painted on colored adhesive and then the fibers are sprayed on. Much more durable than felt. Don S. is correct, I use all bushings that do not need lube. I may put an extreemly light coat of Trico oil on the bearing journals when assembling the guitar, after that it is not necessary. The only place I need to oil is the rollers and the fingers on ocasion. They are not in contact with any flocking.
Martin, you make me sick. Your work is just amazing. What a lovely work of art you are making once more.
If I only could be half as good.
I like all your design ideas...just look at the linkage for the knee levers moving right. Of course, that design is the way it's meant to be!
You outdid yourself once more Martin.
If you have the time and are so inclined I would love to get some more detailed pics from you. You have my email address.
Bent
Thanks Bent, I am happy with the knee lever linkage, it is smooth as can be. This is a better pic. The bottom has a ball bearing and I machined a groove for the bearing to ride in on the top piece. Makes a smooth ride.
Danny L. There is no steel in my guitars. All parts I machine from 6061 and 2024 aluminum. The screws are stainless steel. The guitar is lighter than my original 73 LDG. I will weigh it if I can find some scales. I weigh 155 so I dont own scales.
Great looking machine work,I am in Homosassa and would like to see your work.I looked you up in the Citrus Co. phone book and didn't find you.Call me if you have time.382-3665 Jim Burden
Jim P. I am still useing a 90 degree bend in my pull rods to go into the bellcrank bushings. I machine a .030 groove in the end of the pull rod and secure it with a roto clip. The next one will have a straight through bell crank, I am working on a design now. Thanks, Martin.
I played one of Martin's finished steels this past Wednesday at his home and I can tell you it plays as nice as it looks.
The action was smooth as silk and it had sustain you would kill for.
What a super craftsman this man is.
I can only assume after seeing the latest one he has pictured here it will be even better than the one I played.
It was also very nice meeting Jim "Bullet Bar" Burden while I was there.
Don
Thanks Don, I promise to have it adjusted right the next time you are over. What a pleasure meeting Jim Burden. A super guy and master machinist Martin.