Geza Burghardt (Vancouver, B.C.) presented a very technical demonstration and discussion of French polishing:
He took us through the technical explanation of the traditional finisher's materials. Geza has taken the time to learn the intimate details of the chemicals, resins and gums used in varnishing and French polishing.
Don MacRostie, of Athens, Ohio, showed us exactly how he uses traditional animal hide glue to assemble the fine Red Diamond mandolins he's made for the last 20 years:
I joined Don in this presentation and here I'm discussing the classic "rubbed joint" where simple hand pressure and a sliding motion are used instead of clamps:
Tom Ribbecke gave a lecture entitled "Building with Carved Plates"
Tom's shop is in Healdsburg, California, where he makes some of the best arch top guitars you're likely to run across.
In the afternoons, two large meeting rooms were crammed with displays of luthier supplies for sale, and the instruments made by members of the Guild:
Christopher Laarman of Philomath, Oregon makes these exquisite luthier's "finger planes"
I bought the small one for recontouring the inside of arched instruments (mostly mandolins.)
(Update, 3/16/01: Christopher has quit the tool making business, and these fine little items are no longer available!)
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