I'm probably going at this a bit backwards but I wanted to make full use of the squared edges of the blank before cutting the neck profile. Using a square, I found the center of my Shopsmith table and drew out some guides.
Then I clamped the blank in place and tilted the table. A 3/8" Forstner bit cut the first bore for the truss rod nut.
Then I connected the channel with a 3/16" bit.
Next was the anchor. I cut a piece of flat bar stock and drilled it out for threads.
Then I threaded it and the end of the truss rod. I tightened the anchor onto the threads and trimmed off all but about a 1/8".
Then I peened it over to lock the anchor in place. Nothing new here.
I checked the height of the anchor to make sure I would have plenty of meat left for carving the back of the neck.
I marked the location of the anchor and using a 1/4" chisel, I cut a slot for the anchor. Not my cleanest work but once the fretboard goes on it will be just a memory.
When the truss rod is down in the channel, the anchor will rock forward slightly. You can see in this pic that I beveled the back edge to remove the corner that would hit the fretboard.
