Author Topic: Trax has forced my hand! No choice left. (Read 2976 times)

Will Hinton · « **on:** April 01, 2016, 07:04:00 PM »

Well, he done went and did it! Saw Jeff Traxler at the Toledo Show today and he handed me one of his carbon fiber bellcranks. Beautiful! Strong, light, forked leadout ends, and a true 4" from leadout to leadout. This thing is just too good to lay in a drawer, so the new Seirra molded balsa fuse' stunter I've been tempted to build just HAS to happen. It will be the third in the series, with number two somewhere in Nashville the last I knew.
I really don't have the time for this; too many guitars in the shop plus scheduled acoustic builds, but he's done messed up my schedule for sure.
Once I get my wedding out of the way next Saturday, the 9th, and take a bit of a honeymoon break, I'll start punishing balsa and KOA in equal amounts of time.
I'll do a build thread if I can swing it. Stay tuned, and doggone you Jeff, if I get confused and post guitar build pictures by mistake, it's all your fault!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2016, 07:23:11 PM »

Somebody's gonna ask, so here's the current model I'm working on.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2016, 07:59:12 PM »

"Good" Wil Hinton,

Great looking model!

Now about that airplane.

Is that one of your builds?

If so, outstanding!

Charles

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2016, 08:21:16 PM »

All the best my friend! We'll be praying for her!

Motorman · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2016, 08:22:52 PM »

What makes you think you'll be allowed to go flying?

MM

Will Hinton · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2016, 08:36:00 PM »

This is the lady who has my wedding present already - a Ruger model P95 9MM with three clips with it. I'd say she has it all together. If she'll tolerate my shooting, she'll tolerate my flying. (I hope.)
Hey, I bought four gallons of fuel at the Toledo show today, how can she refuse? Don't ya think? Huh? Please tell me you agree? Pleeeeeeeeeze.

Now wait a minute youse guys, Crist says he'll be praying for HER!! And Motroman wonders if I'll be allowed to go flying! Do you guys know something I don't know?!?!

Huh, do ya, Huh?

bill rutherford · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2016, 09:27:39 PM »

Good for you Will. I wish you both many years of happiness.

ringmaster · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2016, 05:34:12 AM »

Hello, My friend she is a nice looking lady, you are very lucky to have her. She will let you go flying she looks very kind too. I hope you have many years of good luck and be together that is better than being alone I think. Thanks my friend, ringmaster and have a great day too.

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2016, 08:30:03 AM »

Well, Will, you seem to have done it all right. She's very attractive and looks like a very good person. In fact, she is close in appearance to a combination of my Mom and cousin, both from Napoleon too (my whole family is from your town). 'best wishes on a great marriage and, uh, Trax's bellcrank. Maybe you could post a picture of it too?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:24:51 AM »

Thanks Serge,
I bet I know some of your family. I jam with a guy named Larry who is a pretty decent guitarist. And thanks also for returning the thread to the main reason for the post - Trax's bellcrank. I know he's posting the progress in another thread, but I feel so blessed to receive one of the prototypes I just had to bring attention to it.
Here's a couple of pics, the second one showing the forked ends for the line connections. It will need to be in another reply as I forgot to reset my camera.
This thing is very light and very strong!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:25:43 AM »

The edge-on view.

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:33:42 AM »

That looks VERY nice. I like the forked ends, without laminations. BTW, my folks were the Krauss, Shafer, and earlier the Ritter families. My cousin Judy is married now to Ben Michaelis and lives out on Co. Rd. N.

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2016, 02:16:18 PM »

For Christmas a while back my wife gave me a Colt 1911 from the Colt Custom Shop with coco bolo grips. Next year was a complete progressive loader system with the dies for 45 ACP. Then an 1872 Colt SA in 44 Long Colt. Looks like you are off to a good start too!

Agreed that carbon bellcrank is the cat's meow. I have several builds going that will need them.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2016, 02:33:24 PM »

Wow Mike, that 1872 sounds really neat! I was looking at a house last week and the crazy dude showed me a polished stainless S&W FIFTY CALIBER revolver! Great scott, I'd be afraid to torch that sucker off even if it had wheels!
Sounds like the 1911 is a sweety as well. My carry piece is a Taurus model 85UL 38 special which I have adapted to okay, but I prefer the Ruger. How 'bout a picture of that 1911? Love those big time.

Mike Scholtes · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2016, 05:13:34 PM »

Hi Will: The 1911 is a Gold Cup National Match accurized from the Colt Custom Shop, 1980 series. I have pics on my cell phone but not sure I can post them here. I can send you a pm with the pics. Also the 1872 SAA and its stable-mate, a short barrel SAA in polished nickel with bird's head ivory (faux) grips. I did once fire a 50-caliber pistol at a gun range show, quite the handful. Worse than my S&W 44 Mag (target model), which I can take about 6 rounds fired before saying "that's enough."

Back to wives and model planes, sounds like you have found a good match. Chances are she will tolerate your hobbies, may even take pleasure in seeing the enjoyment you derive from them. Initial signs are good. Best of fortune in your new adventure.

Now to get a couple of those bellcranks ...

john e. holliday · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2016, 09:33:56 PM »

You have one gorgeous new mate there and I hope she is around for many, many tears. Wait til she meets the other wives that tolerate our madness, planes, guns, motor cycles and guitars. How about a picture of one of your guitars.

Jeff Traxler · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2016, 07:57:55 AM »

Quote from: Serge_Krauss on April 02, 2016, 08:30:03 AM

Well, Will, you seem to have done it all right. She's very attractive and looks like a very good person. In fact, she is close in appearance to a combination of my Mom and cousin, both from Napoleon too (my whole family is from your town). 'best wishes on a great marriage and, uh, Trax's bellcrank. Maybe you could post a picture of it too?

Hey Serge.Check out the "Carbon Bellcrank" thread here on Stunthanger.I would post a link but the computer aint wood and I don't know how!!

Will Hinton · « **Reply #17 on:** April 03, 2016, 07:57:57 AM »

Okay Doc,
Here's a semi-hollow body in cherry that went to Las Vegas a few years ago. The guy wouldn't let me put F-holes in it but the sound was fine without. (I like the bass relief the F-holes give for the deeper bass response.)
It's just one of many, but possibly the most spectacular wood I've run across.

Dane Martin · « **Reply #18 on:** April 03, 2016, 08:14:40 AM »

Will, I'm in las Vegas....

Do you make any Banjos?

Will Hinton · « **Reply #19 on:** April 03, 2016, 10:53:18 AM »

Hi Dane,
No, I'm afraid not. The machining and such is just too demanding as far as shop equipment goes. Plus, since I'm not a banjo player, I could possibly miss a lot of the little nuances needed to develope a really super quality instrument.

Dane Martin · « **Reply #20 on:** April 03, 2016, 12:17:22 PM »

10-4 sir!
Here's the one my dad got me when i was 14 (i think). It got damaged when someone broke into my house several years ago. It took quite some time to find someone to fix it. Then, my dad and i were watching "pawn stars" and Jesse from cow town guitars came in on the show to fix a mandolin hybrid banjo. Light bulb went off, and my dad suggested i take it there. And within a a matter of weeks (parts back orders), it was back to new! Dad got it for me, and was responsible for getting it repaired!

Sorry to wander on the thread. God bless you guys in your marriage. Looks like you found a keeper.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #21 on:** April 03, 2016, 12:35:59 PM »

Cool instrument, even cooler story! Also, never a need to apologize for wandering on any of my threads, I just love the visiting here!

dale gleason · « **Reply #22 on:** April 03, 2016, 12:53:23 PM »

Banjos are like IC engines...they require constant tuning, tweaking, torqueing, bending, twisting.... all kinds of mechanical adjustments. Even alchemy. Always looking for that Scruggs sound. Or JD Crowe, or Bruno, or somebody.

Then, if and when you finally get it just the way you want it, it changes abruptly and you start over again. Or you learn you've lost your hearing to loud airplane engines. Or Rock amps.

Then, someone comes along and kicks you in the back of the head...with an iron boot, Striker.

If you can rebuild and set up a Rochester four-barrel, you're on your way to being a banjo man...not necessarily a banjo player, though.

Well, that's my take on it......
dg

Dane Martin · « **Reply #23 on:** April 03, 2016, 03:15:52 PM »

Agreed! I used ta was pretty good. Fast rolls and all that. Then the banjo was broke for so long, i switched to guitar exclusively. The guys said i play the guitar weird, my picking patterns we're crazy. I reminded them i play banjo, and applied that to guitar. Sounds good when i play with bluegrass guys. Kinda a funny method to play pink Floyd with....

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** April 03, 2016, 04:16:30 PM »

Will, that is some piece of art work you have done. My wife bought a kit dulcimer years ago and I assembled it. Like my planes not much finish. She never did finish her music lessons.

Will Hinton · « **Reply #25 on:** April 03, 2016, 04:22:21 PM »

Thanks Doc, I appreciate the kind words.

Mark Knoepfle · « **Reply #26 on:** April 03, 2016, 06:20:43 PM »

Quote from: Dane Martin on April 03, 2016, 03:15:52 PM

Agreed! I used ta was pretty good. Fast rolls and all that. Then the banjo was broke for so long, i switched to guitar exclusively. The guys said i play the guitar weird, my picking patterns we're crazy. I reminded them i play banjo, and applied that to guitar. Sounds good when i play with bluegrass guys. Kinda a funny method to play pink Floyd with....

I play clawhammer banjo on an old vega little wonder big pot. I've had whyte laydies and a tubaphone but the little wonder was my first love and did not get sold during the rough times in 2008-2010. Now that said I also play uke and finger pick in apparently a weird way too.

-Mark

Dane Martin · « **Reply #27 on:** April 03, 2016, 07:20:44 PM »

Oh! That's cool. At one point, i could fake my way through claw hammer style enough for someone to think i could play a song. I learned it late in life, much later than i had already been playing the scruggs style finger rolls. I play a 5 string global aluminium rim. Has a very nice sound. My 4 year olds say it sounds like a farm every time i play! Lol