Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Jack Humphreys]

Hello all
I'm off to Embraud in July for Emmanuel Pariselle's make-a-box course.
I'd be grateful for advice from previous participants in UK... E.g. What tools or equipment did you bring, or wish you'd brought?
(With all the sanding I've heard of, what about a little electric sander!?  )
Any other tips?

Thanks

[Nigel]

(With all the sanding I've heard of, what about a little electric sander!?  )
There'll be bother!

[Theo]

All you need is some basic hand tools. X-head small screwdriver, scalpel/Stanley knife, pliers, steel rule, try square might be helpful, 1/2 inch and smaller chisel, scissors. I dont think an electric sander would be particularly helpful, but a small electric screwdriver could be, and possibly a small dremel type drill with a few spare 1mm and 1.5mm bits. Emmanuel brings electric screwdrivers and drills so neither is required.

[Steve_freereeder]

• Clamps, various sizes, plenty of them. Emmanuel brings a good supply but there always seems to be a shortage just when you need them!
  Like these but in several different sizes.
• PVA woodworking glue for the same reason as above.
• Sandpaper/wet-or-dry carborundum sheets: 80, 120, 400, 600 grades. I agree with Theo's comment - you won't need an electric sander.
• Steel wool for fine rubbing down of varnished surfaces in between coats: 0000 grade.

[Theo]

In the last few courses Emmanuel has moved away from PVA to Titebond III and there has never been a shortage of that.
Likewise Emanuel provides plenty of abrasives, including fine grade Scotch-Brite which is a much more pleasant to use than steel wool.

[David P]

I did this Course last year and took a bag full of suggested tools........the only one I used was a small jewellers screwdriver, Emmanuel had everything that was needed, including a huge amount of patience.  The Course will be one of the most memorable times of your life, especially when you hear your new "baby" cry for the first time.

[playandteach]

The Course will be one of the most memorable times of your life, especially when you hear your new "baby" cry for the first time.

That's a powerful recommendation.

[diatonix]

Just a little tip: use denaturated alcohol together with your choice of sandpaper. I can guarantee that you will achieve a much smoother surface in much less time... To moisten the wood use a simple plastic detergent spray bottle.

[Rog]

A spring hook like this can be very useful.
https://goo.gl/photos/mt9uysPcL5Fs8mW28

[Jack Humphreys]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and encouragement. Looks like I won't need to take much on the train.

[Tone Dumb Greg]

Just a little tip: use denaturated alcohol together with your choice of sandpaper. I can guarantee that you will achieve a much smoother surface in much less time... To moisten the wood use a simple plastic detergent spray bottle.

I agree that using meths as a lube when sanding will make it esier but I hate the smell that denaturing gives it (mind you that's the purpose of denaturing it). I was always happier  using a much purer methanol. If you trust yourself not to drink it it's still easily available on ebay, or wherever and not much more expensive. Take usual precautions for working with solvents. They have similar associated hazards (both extremely flammable and chronically and acutely toxic, but not to an unusable extent). 

[Theo]

Something that all of Emmanuel's melodeon builders should definitely do before they arrive at the course is to make a decision about the tuning they require.  If your box is LM then it has to be unison (dry) but if it is MM you have a decision to make about where in the scale from dryvto wet you want your reeds to be tuned.  I have asked this in advance of nearly every course where I've been responsible for tuning, but still most people look blank when I ask what is their choice on the scale from dry to wet. So for anyone that reads this please consider what you want and ask questions if you are unsure.

[Jack Humphreys]

Having just returned from the Embraud 2017 course, I thought I'd answer my own question, in case someone searches this topic in future.
My advice on essential tools to have personally, so you don't need to borrow.

*SCREWDRIVER A really good screwdriver, with a small cross-head. You will have hundreds of little screws to screw! You need a very hard tip, maybe with spares, so it will not slip in the slot. Emmanuel uses a very small Bosch electric screwdriver, but the tip wears out quickly. I had a good watchmaker's screwdriver that fitted well, but was too slim to get good leverage. You need a decent sized handle.

*PENCILS  and spares for when yours goes missing.

*CRAFT KNIFE  small size will do, with a snap off blade.  Needed for fitting marquetry and the gasket material on the reedblocks.

All other tools and equipment were provided by Emmanuel.

Depending on the nature of the workshop and accomodation where the course is held, you might benefit from a

*HEADTORCH  to see properly.... It was rather dark at Embraud
* SLEEP-MASK and EARPLUGS..... If it's that kind of dormitory.

Next July's melodeon-building course in France will be held at Emmanuel's house/estate  in the Pyrenees. So advice about the Embraud experience  ("rustique" !!!)   is not needed.

[Theo]

Next July's melodeon-building course in France will be held at Emmanuel's house/estate  in the Pyrenees. So advice about the Embraud experience  ("rustique" !!!)   is not needed.

Details of 2018 course