Flotsam Mahogany Build

[jkingma]

Looks great.

[mgdesigns]

Originally Posted by jkingma

I've used a Tele control plate as a template and then used a small cutting bit from Stew-Mac in my dremel tool to cut these. Not a perfect cut, but easy to clean up with a nail file or emery board.

FYI: The bits pictured here are widely used by the jewelry industry, and are available (probably less expensively) from Stuller.com, or RioGrande.com, and Gesswein.com. The variety of shapes and diameters in so numerous, it fills a separate catalog. Grobet tools distribute them also. You might have to register with these companies to even view the prices (I already have had jeweler's accounts for 20 years), but they (Stullers) will sell tools to anyone regardless of trade affiliation. About $4.00/6 pack, by Maillefer or Busch or Grobet. Good Stuff, and the files sold by jeweler trade companies (Stullers & Gesswein in particular) are the best made in the world.

[hackworth1]

Thanks for that excellent tip. I'll check them out.

Here's a bit of daily progress with the layout of pickups and bridge. I've got the pickups installed in their frames, wires fed thru drill holes to the body cavity, and pickups screwed in position on the body.

That rear humbucker frame made a good marker to help ascertain that both the bridge and the humbucker were balls-on square. Take a look.

[hackworth1]

Ordered a set of 12 German-made tiny cutters that range in size from approx .06 to 2.5 mm from riogrande.com for $21 with shipping. Thanks again, mg.

Incidentally, the slot for a 5 way stratocaster switch as measured (with a caliper) from a pickguard is 2mm. wide. (It is 26mm long or a one inch heavy for us.)

[hackworth1]

Used the infamous "pin to meet in the middle" technique to make near perfect string thru ferrule holes on my drill press. I used a reamer to expand the drill holes on back to 5/16ths of an inch. Checking the depth and fit as I went along, I inserted each ferrule flush into a hole and used a drill bit to punch them back out. I like these flush mount ferrules. They seem like they will make for a neater finish.

I checked because I had them handy; the standard type profiled ferrules also fit these holes.

[hackworth1]

Used Dremel to first rout interior channel for purfling. Then routed outboard channel for binding. Somewhat more difficult than a binding channel alone. The stewmac adaptor for Dremel is adequate but not the best tool for the job. A small handheld router with the special bits would be better. The Dremel has no heft to it. It doesn't have any inclination to be at 90 degrees to the work.

[hackworth1]

2nd pic shows mcfadden mahog grain filler app. Its good stuff. Goes on like butter.

[hackworth1]

I couldn't wait for my little drill cutters, so I did it (the 5-way switch slot) with a razor blade, a skill saw blade and a fret file. Using the strat pick guard as a template.

Second pic shows three coats of orange amber shellac on cap.

[hackworth1]

This shellac I brushed on with a paintbrush with no oils added. I will spray clear nitro lacquer over the whole piece later. Now this material looks more golden on this flame maple than it does on a plain light maple Chinese neck. On the chinese made neck, the shellac finish is much more yellow.

On the neck I did a French polish technique. I used olive oil as I rubbed the shellac into the neck. Maybe that had some effect on the color. Of course, any clear type finishing material produces a tonal value which includes the color and the lightness or darkness of the work piece under it.

Anyway, I am willing to accept whatever the finish tone may be. I just wanted it to be warm, golden, yellow or something in that range.

The grain really popped and it looks awesome. There are darker flame streaks near the edges which create a natural sunburst effect. Really cool.

[hackworth1]

I love the offset bookmatch. I wish I would have done it on my first one. What a great effect.

[hackworth1]

7/8 inch jack hole drilled. Does the Telecaster cup type jack require further modification? I ain't got my heart set on it. Just wondering. I can always install a flat plate type jack holder.

Stained the top with orange amber shellac.Stained sides and back. Put a couple coats of Deft Sanding Sealer on the back and sides. Installed binding. Scraped and sanded. Restained sides after sanding off all the sealer and much of the stain.

I used hair tint for stain. Redken Shades EQ color gloss. 09A Papaya. Wiped on straight with no developer (low volume peroxide). Its the same as I used on build number one.

[hackworth1]

Here are build one and build two together. Build two is double f-hole with three strat pickups. Strat controls.
Build one (which has been curing in my closet for one week) has two P-90 routs, one f-hole and standard tele controls.

Both are mahogany. Build one is one piece. Build two is six pieces. Both have flame maple tops.

Build one has ivory color binding.

Build two has white binding and black and white purfling. It created a twin black pinstriped effect. Little more difficult to do. You've got to glue the binding to the purfling as you glue both strips to their respective channels concurrently.

[hackworth1]

Here are pics.

[68thinline]

Looking good man. They're both really pretty.

[FSJazzGuy]

Wow, those tops are gorgeous. Backs are mighty nice too.

Looks like you're adding two beautiful Teles to your studio.

[hackworth1]

http://s1016.photobucket.com/albums/...cuttingcowboy/

First coats of McFaddens clear nitrocellulose lacquer applied to this build Flotsam mahogany build 2.

Paint does not like to come out of the gun in the cold. I kept spraying like a madman to get some material on the guitar body. After several coats - a 15 minute wait. And more coats. When I checked my paint gun, it was still nearly full.

I can't get my pictures to load here. And I can't copy and paste from Photobucket. I tried different links and all the tricks I could think of to no avail.

Can someone please give me the key?

[hackworth1]

[hackworth1]

[hackworth1]

She's gonna be a fun player. My Number one weighs a ton.

[68thinline]

Looking good. I can't get anything done in this weather.

Next year I'm moving to Florida where it's warm all year long!