Bodacious Cowboy

Dick/Dictum sell them

Absolutely. I see many makers using neck reinforcements these days, but this is addressing the wrong problem, I think. But maybe every little thing helps....

The best quality Chinese fittings are superior to any Indian that I've seen (including Accurameister), and comparable to good European (but much less expensive).

Hi Davide - why do you prefer the copper strap for the upper and lower bout ribs?

What did you replace the Ibex planes with, Dave? Edit: I see David B has already sort of asked that question. Must learn to read thread before posting.

through the lower eye presumably.

My finger planes are a mix of ibex, herdim, Cremona tools and a bunch of random no-name antiques. I find the Ibex a little "bulbous" so I ground some off the sides of the soles to help getting in to tight spots. I replaced the blades with ones I made from old gewa gold steel knives. Much better. If I was buying a new set I'd probably go for herdim or the CAG steel ones from Cremona.

Have to say that I have some superb Chinese knives and plane blades.

That sucks.

I've only done it once - copying a Bros Amati viola with narrow f-holes. Probably would make the effs wider than the original were I to do it again. Having said that - I don't find fitting a post through the lower eye much slower than the usual way. It's just a knack that takes a bit of thought and practise.

I'd expect that the kids will only have a superficial understanding of waves and vibrations, and that most of them will only have a vague idea of what "resonance" means. Illustrate the key basics with real real world observations/demonstrations - demonstrate the concept of resonance by holding a flexible meter rule up and down at the center and jiggling it up and down at a range of frequencies, demonstrate Helmholtz resonance by blowing across the neck of a bottle and explain whats going on in words without the use of equations....etc etc. Keep it simple and fun and you'll keep them engaged.

Ask Heisenberg.

Could you expand/explain a little more?

I've heard about this and recently started using it. But I guess there can't be much empirical evidence of its effectiveness if it takes years to show the benefit?

Nitrates don't seem to do very much at all, color-wise