Doing Things Wrong

Kubicki Refins

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Bass & Guitar

These are coming along very well. The base layer of Krylon satin polyurethane is sanded down. Each one got a full can. I am waiting for another warm day to apply the final coats.

Krylon is my new favorite rattle-can poly. You can get it at Hobby Lobby for just five bucks a can, with a 40%-off coupon. All the spray paints were 30% off last week, and I bought out the store.

Krylon has the thinnest formulation and goes on very smooth. Varathane is very thick and seems to be pre-loaded with dust nits and lumps. It makes a good grain-filler, but that's all. Minwax was my previous favorite, but since Lowes bought up Minwax, they raised the prices. Krylon is not only the best but also the cheapest!


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In addition to my alternative marker dots, I'm also looking for 'non-luthier' alternatives to side markers, and here is one. These are bits of 3/32" brass rod, set in a piece of scrap maple as a test. Foot-long lengths of 3/32" and 1/16" rod are available from hobby shops for around a buck; they are used by model builders. I pre-drilled the holes, tapped the rod in like a nail, and cut it off slightly proud. Working the brass is just like dressing fret ends, in fact, you could do it at the same time. I also found some aluminum rods on eBay. At the size of a dot, aluminum should come out looking just like pearl. This is like Danelectro used to do back in the '60s. Steel would be much harder to work, and also prone to corrosion, so I wouldn't use ordinary nails, but small brass ones would work. Always pre-drill hardwoods. I pushed in a dimple with a pointed scribe, then deepened it with a spring punch before drilling. Chuck the drill bit so just a 1/4" protrudes. That will keep it from flexing, which can be a problem at these sizes.

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