Official Luthiers Forum!
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/

An unsolicted testimonial-really!
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=5717		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  sfbrown [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Dear Forum members. A number of weeks ago, I posted a thread asking for input regarding instrument makers planes.

One of the respondants was a guy named Mark Finney. Mark claimed he made planes himself and wanted to send me one, on approval, from England. Well, the distance involved put me off but he reiterated that the price INCLUDED shipping. Now, while I could get a plane cheaper domestically, was it better? I bit (no pun intended).

I have had the plane a couple of weeks now. As soon as I saw the fit and finish I paid for the tool (via PayPal) even though Mark wanted me to try it first.

Today, I finally was able to use it. It required NO tuning. I set the blade (very easy to do) and was off planing braces on #'s 1 and 2. Needless to say, I am very pleased. I admit to being a sucker for handmade tools but this surpassed my expectations. Please take a look at the pics. If anyone else has purchased his planes, let me know what you think, I'm sold.





Regards, Steve Brownsfbrown38794.7685300926
Author:  tippie53 [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Very cool
   What was the price. The tool looks very high quality
john
Author:  Don Williams [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Very nice...
Author:  RussellR [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Steve I like

Do you have some contact details Please?
Author:  Brock Poling [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:03 am ]
Post subject: 

Cool, I like hand made / custom made tools.

Author:  BlueSpirit [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 12:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Give us some contact info and some prices, please. They look very nice.
Author:  Grant Goltz [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 1:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have one of these and I will second everything that Steve said about it    I don't remember what these were selling for (got mine over a year ago), so Steve will have to get that. Or I could ask Mark. He is on the other Forum.

Grant
Author:  Mark Tripp [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 2:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Cool! That looks great!

I want one!

-Mark
Author:  sfbrown [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Gosh, and I was hoping you wanted info on my wonderful pics! I'm so disappointed!

Mark Finney is a forum member. You can email him at:

Mark Finney

He has two sizes: 1/2" and 5/8" flat soled. They are beautiful. $48.00 US postpaid each.

Regards, Steve
Author:  sfbrown [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hey, how's everyone like my fan bracing???

I'm new at this ya know!

Steve
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 9:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
48 bucks? That's a steal.
Author:  mark [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hey Steve
Your bracing looks absolutely wonderful mate!!
a real clean job from what I can see. I especally like the little wood curls that you've made!!!   

Is that your first classical build? My first was a classical, and it's still in one piece (2 years on).
Look forward to seeing more progress, and more wood curls!!

kind regards
Mark Finney
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Steve, ya got us there bud, i for one thought you had been at this for a long time, must be that pro tool doing that effect, excellent work by the way!

Serge
Author:  RussellR [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sorry Steve

Love the Fan
Author:  sfbrown [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Mark Thanks. That is actually build #1. Build two was in the other room at the time in the Go-bar clamp having the braces glued on. I'm building two identical guitars except for the tops, one spruce and one cedar.

Steve
Author:  sfbrown [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Steve, ya got us there bud, i for one thought you had been at this for a long time, must be that pro tool doing that effect, excellent work by the way!

Serge[/QUOTE]

Serge, thanks for the kind words. I have been a woodworker for about 30 years. I decided to start luthery some years back but couldn't quite get up the "nerve" to go for it. I, like many had read and re-read Cumpiano's book but I still put it off. I started to buy some guitar wood and that is where I met BobC. He introduced me to the forum and I've been hanging out here ever since.

The reason it's taking me so long to complete these two guitars is because I have completely re-designed my shop toward luthery and I'm building tools and jigs as I go along. I decided that rather than rush build 1, I would take my time and enjoy the process. I plan on doing this for a long time so building all the stuff necessary seemed prudent.

Regards, Steve
Author:  Colin S [ Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
OK that's one of the planes ordered! Russell they are ?25 each in the UK. An absolute snip.

Thanks for the info Steve.

Nice fans by the way, and so many!

Colin
Author:  RussellR [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:21 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Colin

I'm off to send at email.
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:42 am ]
Post subject: 
[QUOTE=sfbrown] [QUOTE=Serge Poirier] Steve, ya got us there bud, i for one thought you had been at this for a long time, must be that pro tool doing that effect, excellent work by the way!

Serge[/QUOTE]

Serge, thanks for the kind words. I have been a woodworker for about 30 years. I decided to start luthery some years back but couldn't quite get up the "nerve" to go for it. I, like many had read and re-read Cumpiano's book but I still put it off. I started to buy some guitar wood and that is where I met BobC. He introduced me to the forum and I've been hanging out here ever since.

The reason it's taking me so long to complete these two guitars is because I have completely re-designed my shop toward luthery and I'm building tools and jigs as I go along. I decided that rather than rush build 1, I would take my time and enjoy the process. I plan on doing this for a long time so building all the stuff necessary seemed prudent.

Regards, Steve[/QUOTE]

Steve, i can relate on the "take my time" part friend. After the first build,i find my self enjoying more each step and really wanting to learn the right way. This second time around, jigs and tools are more important than at the first build, aiming also at a more efficient shop layout takes much of my time after my day job. Hey bud, we're in this together!
Author:  Kevin Gallagher [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:30 am ]
Post subject: 
Steve,

That looks like a wonderful build you have going there. The brace work is very clean and the work overall is very nice. I'm going to guess that that fan pattern will sound great when all is said and done and the size and obvious light weight of the bracing stock will prove to be very resonant...I'm sure.


    Oh...by the way...what is that little plane in the photos? It looks very nice. There's something special about a hand made plane.

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

(Actually, I got the info on the plane, but wanted to get the comments in about your build first. I'll probably contact Mark about a few of his planes for my shop.)

Kevin Gallagher38795.3969212963
Author:  Tim McKnight [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Hey Steve: Thanks for the info. Great looking built too but I was smitten by all of those purdy little curly wood shavings ...
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:09 am ]
Post subject: 
I was intrigued by your fan bracing. Look slike a Fleta design with those 9 braces. What are the specs on them and the thickness of your top? The plane looks great too!
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:14 am ]
Post subject: 
Just ordered a pair of them.

And yeah, bracing looks nice, but what the heck do I know? I'm only just ahead of you, and classicals are a bit of a mystery to me
Author:  MSpencer [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 4:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Looks really nice, I am also ordering one today as well, thanks for the info!

Mike
White Oak, Texas
Author:  mark [ Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:40 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry guys..........gonna have to call a stop at this point on the planes. The response has been phenomenal and unfortunately I cannot at this time meet the demand. I have to honour those that have paid already, and those that have e-mailed me requesting one, so please..........nobody else pay at the moment!! I don't want to disappoint you!!
Thanks for the overwhelming interest and positive feedback, I really appreciate it.

I will respond to those that have e-mailed and PM'd me. In the 3 years that I have been making and selling these I've never had such a response!!!! Thanks guys.

Mark
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/