How do you make tummy cuts and forearm cuts?

I am assuming some spokeshaves or the like? But how do you design for them? Is it like picking two points on the body and sanding a chamfer to the edge retaining a certain thickness when you get to the edge?

Getting close to starting a build from scratch and wondering whether it's worth it or not to try. I'd hate to do ok on everything and then botch it big time trying.

I actually copied this one from a Japanese Telecaster that had the back coutour. I roughed it out with a 7 in. disc sander then cleaned it up with an orbital sander.

......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/Thinline%20Project/DSC04129.jpg
.......http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/Thinline%20Project/DSC04426.jpg

The back contour on a Stratocaster is drawn by drawing an arc with a 7 3/4 in radius connecting two points 12 3/4 in. apart. The center of the contour stops 5/8 in. short of the front.

This Stratocaster blueprint might help.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/jwells393/New%20Album/StratBP2642x1757.jpg

Are you building a Strat? I just did a couple and just went off the blueprints and used one of these on a grinder. It's actually really neat to see it take shape. Alot of people use belt sanders. If your doing something custom, probably just draw it out until you get something your happy with. If you do screw it up you can always use filler. Dont ask me how I know this :oops:

http://www.flapdiscs.net/images/DLR.gif

Freehand on cushion drum sander and flap sanders.
http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Images/DB_Detail/_52451_128474.jpghttp://www.alwayshobbies.com/UserData/root/Products/Images/001806_0.jpg.thumb?w=215&h=215

Are you building a Strat? I just did a couple and just went off the blueprints and used one of these on a grinder. It's actually really neat to see it take shape. Alot of people use belt sanders. If your doing something custom, probably just draw it out until you get something your happy with. If you do screw it up you can always use filler. Dont ask me how I know this :oops:http://www.flapdiscs.net/images/DLR.gif

actually a jazzmaster. Shhh.:wink:

I do my forearm cut on a jointer. It takes about 2 minutes. It requires removing the guard, so if that makes you nervous, don't try it!

First, which double sided tape I stick on a piece of 1/4" scrap along the line where I want my cut to begin.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m408/apolloguitars/misc/JK001.jpg

Then I draw a line on the back following the same line on the front for "eyeballing" purposes so that I can keep the body lined up with the fence of my jointer.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m408/apolloguitars/misc/JK003.jpg

Then using a push pad to tilt the body I make 10 or 12 passes on the jointer to shape the forearm cut.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m408/apolloguitars/misc/JK004.jpg

Lastly, I round over the cut with my random orbit sander.

http://i334.photobucket.com/albums/m408/apolloguitars/misc/JK006.jpg

The result is not as "round" as a normal Strat cut... but a couple more minutes with the sander can fix that.

Don't forget to put the guard back on your jointer!

how I have done it. . .

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/112065-lets-do-sharp-dressed-strat.html

Ron Kirn

I did mine with a rasping file and sand paper.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/StratPro11.jpg

Good advice guys thanks. I guess I need some more tools.

I did mine with a rasping file and sand paper.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/StratPro11.jpg

Ah HAAA! So it CAN be done this way! I've thought about doing it this way. I just bought two a couple of trem-loaded Tele bodies, and I simply can't afford to have me (the incompent oaf that I am) let a disc sander get out-of-hand and mess them up!

Call me a sissy about the disc sander, but I figure I'm safer taking the ol' manual route.

Thank you for letting me know that this can be done, you magnificent southpaw.

And, apropos de bottes, thank you falletin me be mice elf agin. :razz:

Joel :wink:

I used a rasp, surform and lots of sandpaper on my body. Will definately use a larger surform next time, it really does the trick.

There is a tool sold called a Ferrier's rasp ( for horseshoeing and woodworking) and it is a couple of inches wide with big sharp teeth. It won't take too long doing contours with that, but it requires some muscle power. I'll use that on less denser woods like swamp ash, basswood, and pine.

I used a hand saw and a vice,then a sander for a forearm cut. I was shocked at how good it came out.

I use an angle grinder with a flap disc attached and finish up with an orbital sander

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/davidjfletcher/Strat%20Build/DSC_2145.jpg

http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu98/davidjfletcher/Strat%20Build/DSC_2145.jpg

I use a spoke shave. I just pencil in the back and sides where the cut will be and shave away then sand. I'm thinking of getting one of these in the link below to help do this. I also have a few other ideas for it.

http://grizzly.com/products/7-1-2-x-2-1-4-Hand-Held-Pneumatic-Drum-Sanders/H2882

A good rasp is hard to beat. Never had to replace a cord on it !!!!!

how I have done it. . .

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/112065-lets-do-sharp-dressed-strat.html

Ron Kirn
I like this idea. I have a grinder and one of those sanding flap disk. I just never thought of using it for that. Good tip!

For mine i used a coping saw, rasp, really small plane, and a sander

Sand, sand, sand...

Bought real rough sand paper (60 maybe). Put it on a palm sander and went at it.

Came out nice and my forearm and gut like it.

More of a taper than a cut though.