TDPRI 2010 $210 Tele Build Challenge - "Scrapcaster"

Well here's my pile of scrap wood:

body material
heartpine slab .75"x9.25"x33" salvaged from renovation
heartpine slab - 1"x11.75"x18" " "
walnut (???probably though) - .75"x6.25"32" salvaged from dumpster

neck material
heartpine drops " "
mahogany drops These drops are from a board that cost me $25 so we'll say $3.00
oak molding left from previous homeowner in garage

The next couple of weeks are going to be nothing but gluing (exciting) but this will give me a chance to start on building a routing table and some clamps that are badly needed. I'm going out of town for the weekend but have started the gluing process for the neck strips. Check out the last pic, looks like someone scribed a truss layout number when building the 120 year old home i got this slab from, roman numerals....huh.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080939.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080945.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080943.JPG




Good luck everyone, i think this will be fun....especially with my lack of guitar building knowledge. Please chime in if you see something that sparks interest or possible problem.

Building the neck yourself too! Quite a challenge, I don't feel like I'm there yet.
Best of luck!

Ahhh, another Shopsmith user...I love my Mark V.

I'll be watching this one...first time neck builds are scary but worth the effort.

Peace,
Mark

Ahhh, another Shopsmith user...I love my Mark V.

I'll be watching this one...first time neck builds are scary but worth the effort.

Peace,
Mark



I love me some Shopsmith! Actually gave it a tune up tonight, spent most of the evening gettin in there and cleaning the speed changer, alot of chatter was goin on in Mark V. But now, purrs like a kitten.

Didn't do too much tonight but i did get the jointer out (for a first) and gave my piece of mahogany a few passes. A couple of pics of before and after the jointer.

The last pic shows a couple of new pieces of wood (along with my other stash) i grabbed from my pop's garage, a piece of oak and a piece of maple. The maple is from a base cabinet kickboard, not canadian maple but you guys think i can get away with using this as my fretboard? TIA.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080950.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080951.JPG


The piece of maple is laying on the workbench on top of another build, the juliettecaster, which is something i started just before the contest.
the piece of oak is on the right. Looks and feels like oak but not totally sure, has kinda like a dashed grain pattern goin on.
http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1080947.JPG

Oh yea, forgot to mention that i finally labelled each piece for it purpose in this build. Did that Sunday night because with just getting back in town i didn't really feel like doing much but i'll give it a quick run down.

The walnut board (left)will be cut right-to-left in half with a heartpine strip as the bottom of body.
The heartpine board (bottom right) will cut length-wise with a oak strip down the middle and wil be sandwiched in the body.
The long heartpine board (middle) will be cut right-to-left in half and glued then thinned to 1/4" - 1/2" thick for the top.
The long skinny wood will be cut into strips, glued and shaped for the (set?) neck and the maple as the fretboard.
So this will be a thinline style, not sure how this build will develope but we'll see.

I love me some Shopsmith!

:cool: :grin: :cool:

Looks like i'll have to put my "Scrapcaster" build on hold till i get some parts for my Shopsmith. The bearings in the idler shaft shattered (literally) which i'll have to order a new idler shaft and might as well order a new belt as well since the existing one is dryed and frayed at the edges. Not much in expenses but i have a serious lack of funds.....which is why i'm building a "Scrap"caster. Hopefully i'll be able to get this back together with enough time to finish my build before the deadline.

Good luck to everyone else, ya'll have some great builds in process.

Looks like i'll have to put my "Scrapcaster" build on hold till i get some parts for my Shopsmith. The bearings in the idler shaft shattered (literally) which i'll have to order a new idler shaft and might as well order a new belt as well since the existing one is dryed and frayed at the edges. Not much in expenses but i have a serious lack of funds.....which is why i'm building a "Scrap"caster. Hopefully i'll be able to get this back together with enough time to finish my build before the deadline.

Good luck to everyone else, ya'll have some great builds in process.

I've no idea what you just said, but it sounds awful.

Tough break. (pardon the pun)

Have you heard of "Hand tools"?

Have you heard of "Hand tools"?

No offense but for me to able to make something to be proud of hand tools won't cut...no pun intended. Sure i can use a handheld jigsaw but my cuts won't be clean enough when i route; sure i can use a handheld circular saw but again my cuts won't be true espacially for the neck strips; sure i can use a hand drill but they won't be at a true 90 degrees.....and so on and so forth, you get the idea.

That being said i've got my parts sent out to be rebuilt and also some new parts on the way for the shopsmith. But in the meantime i found this piece of "scrap" treadplate at the shop so i had our mechanic cut it and bend it and this is what i have so far. Hoping the treads won't be much of a problem when adjusting height. In the next couple of days i'll use our hole punch to make the pick up hole and drill press for the string and screw holes. To make things easier for me i'll probably just go with a toploader. I have brass saddles already which i paid $14.37 maybe a year ago.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9178.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9179.JPG

subscribed!

Well i should get my rebuilt shopsmith parts in by wednesday which means i can get back to woodworking soon. In the meantime i've been working on my bridge. my previous post showed my first attempt with some treadplate, i used the dimensions of some drawings found at maybe stewmac...can't remember now but guessing they were vintage speced cause it was tiny compared to the import bridge i had on hand. So i had another piece cut and bent and started drilling.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9232.JPG

Got my screw adjusting holes, my string thru holes, and the attachment screw holes. Had to think about how to do the pick up void, we have a steel punch at work that'll punch holes from 3/16" to 3/4" into 1/4" plates of steel and probably should've used it but i was at work by myself and since i didn't want to crush a finger off opted to just drill the dang thing out. This was a bit more tedious but worked OK.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9234.JPG

Cleaned up the insides of the void with a grinder wheel then brought it home so i could clean it up some more with the dremel. Not the neatest and would never try to pass this on to someone else but good enough for me. Here it is lined up with my first attempt (see how small it is), the import bridge and the one i'll be using on the right.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9238.JPG

This is an Agile neck humbucker i got to offset a trade in another forum, guess i'll tag it at $7.00 since that's what it would have been after doing the math in the trade with the EH-HG and a Vpick...sound fair?

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9239.JPG

The adjusting screw holes are a bit squirrelly but not too bad doing freehand. My string thru holes are straighter, also champfered the attachment screw holes. Still deciding if i want to clean up the picj up hole. Whatcha think so far.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9244.JPG

Looks great but wont that tread get in the way of the saddles?

I was thinking that also but i mocked it up with the saddles on with my first bridge made and didn't look like they would interfere. The placement of the treads on the second one are different so sure things will be different. Later i'll put the saddles on the new one and see how it goes.

For those of you who care this is what a Shopsmith looks like disassembled. These are great multi-tools, not very many moving parts which makes it extremely easy to work on.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9256.JPG


I got to ripping last night and tried to do some jointing of some of the planks. I was running the first piece through my jointer and noticed it wasn't making a true edge alomost convex lengthwise then realized my blades need to be sharpened. This means i'll have to do my best with the ripped edges then give the edges a quick run over my belt sander. Not too worried about the belt sander cause it has a flat top of maybe 12-16". Below are all my boards ripped ready for glueing well after i get the edges ssanded which won't take long at all.

neck - middle strip - mahogany
neck - inside strips - oak
neck - outside strips - heartpine

the body will be three layers sandwiched:
bottom (second from left)
- middle strip - oak
- inside strips - mahogany
- heartpine planks

middle layer (second from right)
alternating walnut and oak strips

top layer (far right)
- middle strip - oak
- inside strips - mahogany
- heartpine planks

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/DSCF9262.JPG

Seriously debating whether to make this a thinline, all needed would be to jigsaw out the middle layer. Will see how that works.

I've started glueing, actually started with the body planks last night but the pics are on the work pc but i got a pic of the neck slabs in a vice. Used the angle iron technique for the neck. Since my jointer blades are dull i ran each piece over the belt sander (60 grit) a few times to get a nice smooth but glueable edge. More sanding is due for tomorrow so i'll have those pics for you then.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1653.JPG

I also have another guitar build sitting in the wings at the moment (the juliettecaster) which is when i made the neck template, which i got from somewhere on the net, and the body template from Terry's pdf. Got a couple copies printed to size at the local reprographics outfit. I didn't use mdf for the body template, used some old cabinet door which was soft and easy to sand. The neck template was made from a countertop drop. As you can see my other project is going to be a double cut but still made the template traditional so i can use it for other builds, i'm planning on just flipping the template for the upper....cut.

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On that Juliettecaster, you're not worried about getting sued by Gibson like Paul Reed Smith did, are you? ;-)

Your Challenge build is looking nice!

A Thinline would be way cool, and if that's not a message from God saying "Alias23k! Build a Thinline!" that you've got sitting there in front of you I'd be very surprised.

Gibson-Schmibson! If they try it i'll have to sic Molly to 'em.......uummmmm, maybe in a bit, she looks busy.


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Yea, i'll probably go with a thinline. Had a SX thinline type which was a extremely nice guitar but have figured out i'm not a SX guy, the necks are just to chunky for me. Anyways THINLINE it is.

On a semi-hollow, do i need to cut a second template for the areas to be gutted out on the body? Or should i try it freehand?

On a semi-hollow, do i need to cut a second template for the areas to be gutted out on the body? Or should i try it freehand?

Thinlines are cool! If you have the time, it's worth making a template. Here's how I did mine.

My Thinline Build (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/184932-all-maple-thinline.html)

I made this tracing tool and traced around a regular template. Then outlined it with a Sharpie.

http://www.crenshawweb.com/thinline/body11.jpg

Then I hogged it out with a large Forstner bit.

http://www.crenshawweb.com/thinline/body15.jpg

And cleaned it up with a rasp and sanding block.

http://www.crenshawweb.com/thinline/body19.jpg

Peace,
Mark

I dislike "thinlines" because of their f-holes, but a chambered or hollowed body is great.

This was done just as Guitarnut described, except using a router in 5 increasingly deep passes.

http://www.tresgatosguitars.com/images/210challenge16.jpg


Great build so far, love the bridge! :wink:

Thanks for the template idea guitarnut, never would have thought of using your technique but seems obvious now.

newtwanger, since i'll be using 3 layers sandwiched together i may just use my jigsaw and cut out the middle layer free hand, then use this middle layer as the template for the additional hollowing of the top and bottom layers. I like the thought of no f-hole but chambered.

Here's a pic of the top and bottom layers glueing up. The piece on the right will get ripped in half because it is right at 12.75" wide and a thin piece will be glued in to widen it.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1649.JPG



Here's some of the parts i'll be using that i scrounged up from my parts bin. Some i'll use, still deciding on others. The fret wire is new of course and is standard but thinking i may buy some vintage wire for this build. I'll list some subjective pricing on these items later, need to get back to work for now.

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Re. the doublecut tele, I've been thinking about this recently, and why not remove the wood surrounding the neck (pocket) completely, like a double cut les paul junior, and then put a tenon on the neck and then glue the neck in. You may have to go without the neck pickup, but it would be like a tele junior. It's something I'm thinking of trying myself, the shape of the guitar looks better without the "strange" neck pocket area IMO.

Re. the doublecut tele, I've been thinking about this recently, and why not remove the wood surrounding the neck (pocket) completely, like a double cut les paul junior, and then put a tenon on the neck and then glue the neck in. You may have to go without the neck pickup, but it would be like a tele junior. It's something I'm thinking of trying myself, the shape of the guitar looks better without the "strange" neck pocket area IMO.


If you see the two lines on each side of the center of the dbl cut template, those are actully cut lines. It will be a neck thru design, with two p90s like a tele jr.....just modified type. Always really wanted a neck thru and a tele jr so why not kill 2 birds with one stone :grin:

Nice idea, looking forward to it, enjoying your build, and good luck!

While i'm still waiting for the body layers to dry and cure thought i might get to some other stuff....

....whatcha think this'll be? sorry for the blurry pic, had to use the crappy camera

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Also built my convertible routing table, one side will be used with a sled for routing off layers of boards and the other side will be a routing table. The sled side has flat steel bars that are countersunk and the end screws aren't sunk so no slippage of the table. Routed an area so the second router will be countersunk for more bite when used as a table, if you can see the sides there are two holes to slide rod through to hold it down. Using the craftsman for the table because it has a knob to adjust height unlike the ryobi which you spin the body to adjust for height. Haven't built the base yet cause its late and i'm tired...i'll finish it tomorrow.

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So i put my router sled to work......

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Did the neck first....

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not too shabby. I squeezed it between the straightest boards i could find to try to keep it square and came out decent enough.

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After my planks had cured for maybe five days thought it would be ok to do those as well....

the walnut planks after leveled with router

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1694.JPG

then sanded smooth

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did the heartpine planks as well

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1712.JPG

came out better than expected

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1713.JPG

this is what an auditorium catwalk looks like.....

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this is what it looks like from the bottom side of the catwalk and the 60' or so to the stage.

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Its pretty nerve-racking to walk across an open steel grate while your peripheral vision picks up nothing but the ground 60' down....i'm a roofer and this kinda freaked me out.

this is what an auditorium catwalk looks like.....


Its pretty nerve-racking to walk across an open steel grate while your peripheral vision picks up nothing but the ground 60' down....i'm a roofer and this kinda freaked me out.

I know how you feel there. I once spent a month finding out I wasn't really cut out to be an elevator repairman. Riding the top of the cabin to the 20th floor to work on the wiring was bad enough, but the real fun was having to open the hallway door on an empty shaft on the 20th floor and leaning in to have a look around! Gave me the willies!

There you go, my three planks, it'll start coming together soon.

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Kept them pressed so they wouldn't warp...living in the south humidity has a mind of its own.

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Drew me a center line so i could line up my template on each layer.....

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....and used a jigsaw to rough cut each layer.

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There ya go...bottom 5/8", middle 1/2" and top 3/8" which equals 1 11/16". I'm good with that. the middle layer will be jigsawed again for the chambered part of the body.

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The f-hole is on the bottom left of the body, a square nail hole :cool:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1742.JPG

Found the base for my router table, an old footstool i saw tucked away in a corner then i screwed that down to some plywood.


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1748.JPG

I need to start slowing down when i route made a few mistakes. Again, sorry for the blurry pic, my good cameras being repaired. A major tear out on the upper body then when i did the walnut layer my dbl sided tape slipped and now it not as wide as the pine layers. Not too worried, i plan on doing something as Tuurs idea with a full sided binding kinda thingy but different.

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http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1757.JPG


There ya go! If you noticed previously in the routing picture, i jigsawed out the walnut layer which will be the chambered area.

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http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1755.JPG

....whatcha think this'll be? sorry for the blurry pic, had to use the crappy camera

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1675.JPG



Stops and guides for your router sled?

Looking good!

Stops and guides for your router sled?

Looking good!

Nope but good guess, i used fat headed screws for that purpose.
Anyone else wanna take take a jab at it?



Got a bit over zealous when i had the bandsaw set up and started rough cutting the neck then i remembered i still had to route for the dbl action truss rod ($11 at Doeringer). But first i need to cut it down to a workable thickness.

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Set up my table with the two sled bars as my jig for routing the truss rod cavity. I lined them up with the centerline since i had already sawed part of the neck shape.

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Then i used the router sled for a more precise thinckness. Not having a planer sucks (dang thangs are mucho expensive) but this technique does amazingly well as long as you have a flat and true surface.

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There you go....snug as a bug

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1776.JPG


Time to work on the fretboard so lets cut it down to size

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Probably wondering why i have the truss rod cavity extended past the fretboard....well i have a brainiac idea that probably won't work.

Didn't have any silicon caulking but i did have some silicon gasket repair

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1783.JPG


But before i glue down the fretboard i'd better go ahead and drill out the tuner holes.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1787.JPG

Seems there was a dowel rod in the oak board i found at my pops, good thing they did an excellent job installing it....no gaps that i could see.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1785.JPG


Glued up and press. Even though it seems to be alot of clamps to me it still doesn't feel like enough.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1789.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1792.JPG

"You can never have too much money or too many clamps!" :cool:

Anyone else wanna take take a jab at it?


A tone bar perhaps? Maybe a metal nut as well?

A tone bar perhaps? Maybe a metal nut as well?

you got it, tone bar. Used a chop-saw to cut that baby down now all it needs is some drilling. If the first one goes okay the second will be put in '85 MIJ Tele.

Glued up and press. Even though it seems to be alot of clamps to me it still doesn't feel like enough.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1789.JPG



Brave man, stopping to take pics as the glue dries. :razz:

Interesting build!

Mark

Brave man, stopping to take pics as the glue dries. :razz:

Interesting build!

Mark



Thanks for stopping by Mark, yes brave is one word to describe it but there are oher words as well that aren't so complimentary. Only took a few seconds to snap the photo so no real harm done.


Looky at what we have here, work was throwing away a toolbox so i asked our mechanic to cut me off a piece. Just doing my part to recycle! I thought about using a piece of this aluminum for another bridge but it was too brittle and separated as i tried to bend it. We'll go back to my original plan so let's cut a piece off. My handheld jigsaw went through 8 of its 9 lives as i cut, stalling quite a few times but made it through without dying on me.

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Cleaned up the edges some

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1797.JPG


then traced the ouline on the bottom layer of the body. I measured 1/4" in from my outline for my cut line

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1798.JPG


then jigsawed it out

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1800.JPG


sketchy trying to do this freehand but we'll give it a whirl

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COOL!

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countersunk some screws for the NOW control cover....vio'la

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One last thing, look at the drops from some of my cuts.....whatcha think, wall art?

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1807.JPG

I'm impressed! You keep coming up with brilliant ideas!

Wow thats excellent for freehand

I did the f-holes on my first build freehand and was praying all the way :lol:

Thanks CJ and Leigh, really appreciate the compliments. Its all a work in progress and even though a have a plan deviations and rethinks will be abound. i'm still deciding whether to do an F hole or just keep it chambered.


Started on my tone bar tonight, drilled the string holes and string ball cavity or ferrule cavity, if you will.

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The A string hole (or what will be) is the only one out of line, this again done by eyeballing it with the correct size bit. I g the uess right way would be to start small or use a punch to score the bit placement.

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Got the edges rounded to 1/2", the tone bar being 1/2" wide x 3/8" thick (i think) not sure how long it is but i premeasured 1/4" around the centerline of the holes. It is some what cleaned up and will bring it in to work to clean it up some more.

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I think this will be it as far as metalwork for me

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I also got to glueing the middle and bottom layers tonight...i think i need to go to Harbor Freight and purchase maybe 5 or 6 more clamps i think a see some empty spots. I actually squeezed an area then replaced the clamp with hand grips(??) and moved the clamp down some. Hope that worked.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1840.JPG

Hey guys, i need some suggestions. I want to get a humbucker for this project but not sure which way to go cause all i've really had any interest in were single coils. My Squier Starfire has GFS Woodtones (Dream 180s maybe) which i love but that is pretty much the extent of it. I'm only going to have a bridge humbucker, no neck pickup. After my JazzBastard which is setup like a Esquire the sustain i can get out of it is crazy. If it helps i really love both Chicago and Mississippi blues along with some classic rock and into the grunge/alternative playtime.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I'd suggest a Bill&Becky L-90, but you may have to look for a used one on ebay in order to get it on time, they're still a little behind schedule. :-)

I'd suggest a Bill&Becky L-90, but you may have to look for a used one on ebay in order to get it on time, they're still a little behind schedule. :-)


Yea, i'd love to get those too but time and funds are preventing me. Went to the GFS site, listened to some clips and i'm starting to lean towards their Hot Liverpools. Also thought about some Carvins, maybe the c22 or m22, but then i'd have to make another bridge to fit it and that ain't gonna happen.


Only did one thing tonight which was to glue on the top, I wanted to drill for the pots before i did this though. I got a wedding to go to in Atlanta this weekend which will give the glue for the neck and body time to cure. Then i can get to some final shaping for the neck and routing for the body. Slowly but surely coming together.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0007.JPG

Being a roofer, not really a roofer but a estimator for a commercial company, i'm on roofs most of the day. every chance i get i try to snap a pic of my surrounding scenary. So here's a couple from a few months ago. This is Savannah GA btw, beautiful town but only draw back is the 3 months of summer swamp-a$$ if you know what i mean.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1010246.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1000063.JPG


This is the pic of my avatar, this big guy was showing off his stuff when i took my daughter to the wildlife refuge.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/P1030685.JPG

Hey guys, i need some suggestions. I want to get a humbucker for this project but not sure which way to go cause all i've really had any interest in were single coils. My Squier Starfire has GFS Woodtones (Dream 180s maybe) which i love but that is pretty much the extent of it. I'm only going to have a bridge humbucker, no neck pickup. After my JazzBastard which is setup like a Esquire the sustain i can get out of it is crazy. If it helps i really love both Chicago and Mississippi blues along with some classic rock and into the grunge/alternative playtime.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I don't know if it would break the project budget, and a lot of people may laugh at them, but an EMG select humbucker(whether from stew-mac or not) is only 23.90 + shipping and is 3 wire so you can do a coil-cut switch :smile: I have one in my poplar-caster (bridge position) and have installed several for others (they even make a walmart firstact sound good).I play blues, country and southern rock and it gives just the right vibe and doesn't break the bank,

Dave

Did a few more things but no time to post all the pics but i do have this...Any ideas what i'll use this for? It's actually a spool for metal coil flats. I'll post my other stuff later, pop's is coming to town.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0009.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0010.JPG

no takers....oh well. it's for making my 9.5" radius block, that is after an hour of sanding.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0114.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0116.JPG


Also worked on cleaning up the neck and body on the routing table....

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0091.JPG


As you can see here i had a problem with the bit, the shaft wasn't long enough so it would leave shims of wood left and my bearing would then end up riding on top of it. i had to keep switching from this bit and the bottom bearing bit till it was all finished.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0099.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0101.JPG


And then the body got some treatment....

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0105.JPG


not too worried bout the imperfections, they will be covered up.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0108.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0110.JPG


there you have it, the headstock, fretboard still needs some attention as well as the tenon and hopefully they'll get cleaned up tomorrow

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0112.JPG

Did a few more things but no time to post all the pics but i do have this...Any ideas what i'll use this for? It's actually a spool for metal coil flats. I'll post my other stuff later, pop's is coming to town.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0009.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0010.JPG

Now there's some lateral thinking for ya! Great idea!

Now there's some lateral thinking for ya! Great idea!


Thanks for taking a look kwerk, yea, try to use what i got without spending much money not only to stay within the rules but also cause i have little funds to buy a bunch of jigs or in this case even a sanding block. I usually wander around my shop thinking of what i can use for my stumped idea.


anyways, got to try out the sanding block, used spray adhesive for the 80grit. I used the rough stuff first cause i had a bit to sand down.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0117.JPG


Took less time to do this than to make the sanding block but turned out good nonetheless

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0120.JPG


Used the handheld belt sander to get that curvy thing below the nut

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0121.JPG


Marked the curvy things on the bottom of the neck also. Thinking about making it with a long tenon at the base of the neck but haven't decided yet. I played my friends Ibanez Roadstar and this got me thinking of the long tenon bolt-on.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0123.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0124.JPG


Here's my neck beside a MM neck that Bob Logan had set up; slim C, 9.5 radius, 22 fret. Side by side the MM looks more like a 12" radius compared to my 9.5" radius.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0125.JPG

still trying to figure out who Sanford is...

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0129.JPG


For the past few days i've been dreading doing the frets just because i wasn't sure how, so as always i wandered around the shop thinking and looking. then i remembered the MM neck and thought i could use that as my template, so i clamped them together and marked it up.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0132.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0133.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0134.JPG


Here is my fret saw jig i thought up; maple drop, a jig saw blade from my shopsmith, two 2x6's and some clamps. Worked better than i thought.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0135.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0136.JPG


Its getting late so i'll finish this up tomorrow.

Those are some great home-made tools you've come up with.

Great thread! Can't wait to see the finished guitar.

"still trying to figure out who Sanford is..."

LMAO!


" so as always i wandered around the shop thinking and looking"


I wish that did me as much good as it does for you.............lol


"Here is my fret saw jig i thought up"
http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0135.JPG

My first fret saw was a dime-store coping saw like ScatterLee uses.It only took me 3 months to figure out I could make a handle for it that wouldn't cramp my hand so badly.When it comes to ideas, I'm kinda like this guy, a day late and a dollar short :lol:

Dave

Those are some great home-made tools you've come up with.

I was just gonna say the same!

Quite the compliment coming from you Jack, you my friend have got some great build threads. If i keep at this maybe i'll have the skills of both you and CJ.

crazydave - right there with ya bud

repeat - i can't wait either and hoping the finished product will be like the picture in my head.

finally got to finishing the frets and while i had the fret saw out thought i might as well make the cut out for the nut. Also some close ups of the how my fret saw did, once i tweaked the jig some this worked like a charm.
In the last fret pic you'll notice that i had the blade of the fret saw at a specific height so when both sides of the wood handle were flat on the table i had cut to my desired depth.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0141.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0143.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0145.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0146.JPG


So i tried using one of these spoke shaves and i gotta say that i'm not a big fan, kinda reminded me of driving through New Orleans....bumpy as all heck.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0148.JPG


So i reverted to my belt sander which was incredibly smoother and probably faster and also seemed i had more control of what i was taking off.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0151.JPG


First i shaped out around the heel and the headstock

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0152.JPG


Then i cleaned up in between

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0156.JPG


Can't find a better contour template than this

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0157.JPG


The final specs on the neck came to be:
0.85" thick at the 1st
0.98" thick at the 12th
1.65" wide at the 1st and
2.00" wide at the 12th
And probably closer to a U shape than anything else

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0158.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0159.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0160.JPG


Couple of things before i wrap it up such as the tone bar. Used my template to find my outside string holes, used some nails to hold the tone bar in place then drilled the rest.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0163.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0167.JPG


Pulled the router out with a 1/2" straight bit and voila.


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0172.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0175.JPG


Followed by routing the pickup cavity

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0178.JPG


If you noticed the center wood strip is not in line, this was the only way to compensate from when my double sided tape slipped when i was routing arouns the middle layer of the body, looks weird but oh well.

If you noticed the center wood strip is not in line, this was the only way to compensate from when my double sided tape slipped when i was routing arouns the middle layer of the body, looks weird but oh well.

been there, done that, got a tele with a stripe down the middle too

Repeat after me... "I planned it that way! Everyone puts them in the middle!" :mrgreen:


Looks great!!!

Looking good, keep up the great work.

So here's the next big rock star :razz: at 3 she actually holds the guitar correctly and getting better at strumming, hoping on day she'll be able to show me some licks. Thought i might share...

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/rockstar.jpg



Got to doing the neck pocket and i think i need another method for my jig cause it slipped. I seem to have a problem of slippage on this build. I usually have a template to go by but with the longer neck tenon decided to do something similar to J.Wells technique with the 3 pieces of wood. Good method i just wasn't set up properly. You can see in the second pic at the upper bout how the pocket too wide. so now i'm on the fence whether to glue or bolt. Any suggestions?

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0184.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0186.JPG


Aluminum wind chimes :?:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0190.JPG


Cut down to itty-bitty slivers :twisted:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0191.JPG


Marked some holes :grin:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0193.JPG


Insert and polish :twisted:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0194.JPG


Really impressed the way these came out, the chimes were 0.22" wide and the drill bit was 0.230....a perfect fit.

Next up are the frets. I'm using vintage frets for this build, no real reason why just cause. Here's my fret spine dabber thingy.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0196.JPG


All inserted and ready for a pounding

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0197.JPG


Got clips?! these are precision clips from Harbour Freight
Do i just use sawdust and glue to fill in under the frets? TIA


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0198.JPG


Score! This is my first neck build and i actually impressed with myself...hAtchaa! Though i'm sure my next one won't go this smoothly, that's just how my life is :roll:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0200.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0202.JPG


What's this? Ever since i saw in "vtcyclist" build thread of Meredith Brooks's Tele with the aluminum edgingi knew i wanted to do something similar. Me and one of my co-workers hung out in the shop at work discussing how it was done. We fiddled with multiple bending machines but the bend would always flatten when trying to do those backwards curves, so i succombed to reality and thought about different routes i could take and this is what i came up with. Oh, back to Meredith Brook's guitar, that had to of been a casting of sorts.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0137.JPG


The material is a EPDM or rubber, 90mils thick and used for roofing projects. The bonding adhesive is is some pretty strong stuff and can get a 20 year warranty (call me if you're interested :wink: ) and with the guitar not being subjected to climatic circumstances as roofs do, i think i'm in good shape with it not falling off anytime soon.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0206.JPG


And this stuff i can route too....yippie!

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0211.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0212.JPG


Whatcha think?

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0213.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0215.JPG


So these gaps are really bugging me out :sad: you feel like you're making such good progress than something like this just takes the steam away. So what the heck, i decided to go ahead and .........

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0218.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0219.JPG


:eek:

Forgot to show how i line up the bridge and neck. Love this method, never really liked messing with the string method and the hassle. I move the laser to both E's checking the distance to the edge of the fretboard and scale length. This is a small Stanley so it sits nicely on the body of the guitar.


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0208.JPG

Out in the field this morning waiting on my help to show up and a thought occuered to me, what do you guys think about me putting the rubber on the headstock as well. I think it'll tie the body and headstock in nicely.

Subrcribed to this thread!!! Can't wait to see how it turns out!!

How about using brushed aluminium for the side dots as well?

The EPDM is brilliant! Just brilliant! I would have never thought you could route anything rubbery like that. (Show's what I know! :wink:) It looks good and gives you protection at the same time, what could be better?

The trick with the laser was something I would have never thought of either! Excellent!

Looks like you have the next Orianthi there! Way to go! :grin:

Let's see - I love the fret markers, I love the awesome grain in the top of the body and that rubber 'binding' is absolutely the coolest build feature ever.

I love the rubber binding!

oramac - Thanks and me too.

Moggl - Good idea, now i just have to figure out where to get brushed aluminum small enough for the side dots. I may be able to think up something.

CJ - Thought about the protection aspect as well which is why i'm thinking of putting it on the headstock. Orianthi? What is that, a new constellation? When i goggle that all i get are pics of a hot chick and her PRS.

CJ, Mike and Yonie - Thanks. I wasn't sure if this stuff would actually route, had to do a test run on some scrap wood. I was quite stoked to see it work.

CJ - Orianthi? What is that, a new constellation? When i goggle that all i get are pics of a hot chick and her PRS.



That would be Michael Jackson's guitarist for "This Is It". And, OK, so she plays a PRS? I'd still let her play in my band... :cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a436_zUAHgQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qSCivoKE_o&feature=related

But you knew all that anyway, right? :mrgreen:

Been thinking harding hard trying to decide whether to keep it natural or put a finish on it and what color if i decided. Also was trying to decide of i wanted to show you guys how i finished it until it was completed :twisted: My own little secret!So i decided to compromise....

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0234.JPG


Here it is with a single coat. Asked my wife if i should put a second coat on it because when i brushed on the round-over i did an upstroke which was a heavier brush on (?). Try to see if you can see the thicker paint on the edges. I know if i put a second coat of this stuff you won't be able to see the grain as much, but still visible, as evident on the edges. So what do you guys think?


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0235.JPG


The fret board does have painters tape on it. How long can i keep the tape on before it gets hard to remove? Hoping to keep it on until after put the clear coats on which will be Deft nitro.

My first thought was Avatar :lol:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0237.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0238.JPG


The next pic is with flourescent bulb then a incandescent lamp. You can see the fuller finish on the edges better in this lighting.

So do i put a second "light" coat only on the flat?

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0243.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0244.JPG

:shock::shock::shock::shock:
looks excellent!

Looks great. Can't wait for the finished product.

:shock::shock::shock::shock:
looks excellent!

Hope that's a good shocked :neutral:

Hope that's a good shocked :neutral:

:wink: 'course it is!

:wink: 'course it is!


Thanks Tuur!


While i'm putting the sanding sealer coats on thought i might embed this video of my daughter (almost 4 years old) tearing it up playing You Are My Sunshine. Can't really tell what she is singing till maybe 1/2 through the short video but am impressed with the way she holds guitar, strums and all this while she is singing. If you're curious, the guitar is a 1/4 sized SX acoustic.

Here's the link if this doesn't work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szg_Mns2Dj4

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/szg_Mns2Dj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/szg_Mns2Dj4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

That blue is looking really good! You have piqued my curiosity now!


The Munchkin is cute as a button too! (Almost as cute as mine! :wink:)

Wow. That is blue. But it looks awesome.

Great job on the fret markers!

Wow. That is blue.


I agree, couldn't and still can't get Avatar outta my head everytime i see that pic. But once i get the metal on and the painter's tape off, it'll break the blue up. Just got some tru-oil in from ebay and will be using that on the fretboard, not sure if the starkness of the maple fretboard will work with the pearl blue but we'll see soon enough. Does the tru-oil darken the wood any?

I really hate this stage of building....the finish :sad: Such a dull process with all the brushing and sanding. I like the instant gratification of a saw way more than a month of slow progress finishing. After i get the sealer coats on the front and back i'll post some pics. Put 3 coats of laquer on the back so far, am sanding, then two more coats and more sanding then to the front. Then i'll put maybe 3 topcoats of deft gloss. Does this sound about right :?:

Just wanted to post something so you know i was still making progress. Even though i have been slacking a bit, i do have the last coat of sealer on it. I had the fretboard taped off but decided to take it off on the last couple of coats of sealer. I should have the clear coat on tomorrow.

I did a mock up of it with most of the hardware (didn't take a pic though) and it gave me ideas for the pickguard and i think it'll "hopefully" tie it all together. Also have all my electronics/hardware so i guess i can start to tallying up soon. Here's a pic with the blue painter's tape off and drying up. Was on the fence if i should tint the fretboard but decided for a natural maple.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0265.JPG

The finish isn't my strongest point either, but the fretboard without a tint looks real good against that blue.

Looking forward to seeing it with all the hardware on.

Great looking guitar :wink:

Well that's it, all finished up. I would have liked to put maybe 3 or 4 more coats of laquer on it but ran out of money and laquer. So far there's 4 coats of laquer sealer and 4 thin coats of laquer clear coat. I had just enough to put the decal on the headstock with a total of 8 clear coats. I may have to invest in a inexpensive sprayer so i can buy by the quart or gallon, that is if i keep making these bad boys. I hope you don't mind me not showing the final finishing pics, nothing but the usual brushing/spraying and sanding, but i will if you want.

Let's get the specs out of the way, my material list and prices will be at the end of the post.

Semi-hollow body - heartpine, oak and walnut
Would the neck be considered laminated? - heartpine, oak and mahogany
Maple fretboard
Rubber (EPDM) Full Binding
Aluminum markers
Vintage sized frets
25.5" scale
Body thickness - 1 9/16"
Weight - 7.5 lbs

Now let's get the defects out of the way

The low E side of the first fret is off by less than a 32nd. This was my first neck build and the very first fret i installed, hope you'll let it slide.
And the low E string is pretty close to the edge, still playable but resolved with a custom cut nut.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0295.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0319.JPG


One last thing till i get to the jest of it...i need opinions please.
Should i go with the pickguard or no pickguard? The truss rod cover is installed. Both were cut by me.

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0320.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0321.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0324.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0323.JPG


The switch splits the coil with a concentric tone250k/volume500k (i think, could be the other way around) pot. Used a acoustic style strap jack instead of the typical Tele type. When i was hollowing out the the walnut layer i routed this channel so i could run the jack wires :cool:

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/100_1759.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0293.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0304.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0297.JPG

I'm sure the square nail F hole probably bugs some people but i like it


http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0296.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0300.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0302.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0303.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0314.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0336.JPG


The back seems more glossy than the front

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0308.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0309.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0311.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0312.JPG

http://home.comcast.net/~zjcsiplon/pwpimages/IMG_0310.JPG


Material and price list

Parts Bin
pickguard, i only used a bit of it unless i use the scratchplate part - $3
Wire ?? - $2
SX Grover style tuners ?? - $7
Brass Saddles - $14

Bought
Concentric pot - $7
Concentric knob - $4
Strap jack - $6
Frets - $9
Switch - $3
GFS Hot Liverpool - $38
Truss Rod, dual action - $12
Tusq nut - $14
Createx Airbrush paint, Pearl Blue - $3
Deft Laquer Sealer, 1/3 can - $5
Deft Laquer Clear Coat, 1 can - $7

Scrap
All the wood
Bridge
Control Cover
Rubber

TOTAL - $134.00

Do i need to post a soundclip? I can but hate showing off my mediocre playing skills. I consider myself more of a hobbyist that a player but please don't get me wrong "i doo love to play" been at it for more than 15 years and ya know what "i still suck" :lol:


Thanks TDPRI and all its forumites for taking a look...this was fun

And very nice it is!

Congratulations on a great finish. What you did on the 1st fret is the same as my 20th.

Thanks guys!

Leigh, yea pisser ain't it. I'll see how much it affects playability since it is on the first fret, i may lift it and re-set it. That goes with the nut as well, i'll probably get a bone blank and file down a custom one.

Man, that's looking good.

I'm hoping my bridge works out as well as yours does!

That came out lookin' amazing!

Thanks guys.

I love this guitar!!! You've got some really excellent ideas there which I plan on steal... er... borrowing in the future!!! :mrgreen:

Way gorgeous! And I vote for no pg.

i vote no PG as well, but I typically vote that way on any guitar, especially if it shows woodgrain

CJ - Borrow away, I was just fiddling to see how some of these ideas might work. Like how a strap jack might look instead of a regular Tele jack, I switched to larger mounting screws rather than those skimpy ones that came with it.

I might also cut a piece of the aluminum treafplate to see how that looks for the truss rod cover...not sure why I didn't originally anyways.

I really like the way the hot liverpool sounds, the clip at GFS wasn't too convincing but I thought I would roll the dice and now pleased with the outcome.

After playing it for a few days I now have realized that I'm not a fan of the concentric pot, there must be a tecknique that I'm not aware of when using it. Do you guys think a push/pull would work similarly? To switch from tone to volume.

Nice overall look to this one.

Not a huge fan of blue on a guitar, but I'm liking this one. Even the "F hole"........