Source to purchase Black pickguard material

[PapaLion]

I had a nice Bakelite pickguard stashed for several years for a project. I went to try it today and the fit is pretty good, one screw hole is off a little... BUT it has a fatal flaw.
The worker, who has probably never seen a Tele in Asia, decided that a 1/4" drill bit was just as good to countersink the holes as any other hunk of steel laying around... and he loved the idea of really getting that sink in there. The screws bury into the guard, darn near fall thru the pickguard. All my $ and time wasted on that part. Rant is 100% over never to be mentioned again Now I'd like to replace it

I'd like to purchase a piece of good quality material and cut my own, or a blank without holes predrilled or countersinks... ideas? Bakelite, or the generic equivalent is of course ok. Thanks for the help finding such.

[mgdesigns]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#garolite-sheets/=9ldwsc

I believe this is what EHawley recommended.

I have recently seen old 78's at Salvation Army stores for 99 cents each. I am going to give a piece of that a try.

[flatfive]

Guitar Fetish has single ply black pickguard material for $8,
assuming you don't need bakelite or something that looks
just like it.

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Uncut-Pi...ds-_c_224.html

[deaconque]

Originally Posted by mgdesigns

http://www.mcmaster.com/#garolite-sheets/=9ldwsc

I believe this is what EHawley recommended.

I have recently seen old 78's at Salvation Army stores for 99 cents each. I am going to give a piece of that a try.

Do you happen to know which type of Garolite to use?

[PapaLion]

Good thinkin', I've ordered specialty products from these fellas before they are great. I'll give them a call and see what 1/16" thick black material is available. I want the real thing, the Fender retail Tweed pkged Black guard is good. I've roughed them up a bit to create a high satin vs glossy look and used them. This one needs to be the correct material. It was a good thing really, forces me to do it all the way from scratch and get it right.

enjoy,

[Shepherd]

Originally Posted by deaconque

Do you happen to know which type of Garolite to use?

I used the garolite xx http://www.mcmaster.com/#order-history/=9lpbmh

[moondogz]

I love Blue Heelers.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/ If you don't mind spending $$$.

[mgdesigns]

Grade XX...Black
per thread by EHawley Post #480

[PapaLion]

I'm going to order some garolite, enough to have some fun with and see what I can do.

The Callahan products are very nice huh? He does first class work. When I first clicked the link I scrolled down and saw the tele guard and a price of $350++???? YIKES... BUT, that was for the whole kit not just the guard...which is a real good deal for most everything needed I suppose. Me, I 'bout had a Heart attack.

enjoy,
Bret

[Barncaster]

Hey Papa,

I ordered the Garolite from McMaster per EHawley's recommendation and whittled a pickguard for my Snakehead. It is the real deal. It's amazing they still make this stuff. FYI, this stuff is a prick to work with. It is very hard and strong and the dust is pretty toxic. Best bet is to get it close with a scroll saw and use a router to do the final shaping off of a pattern. I used a Dremel with a diamond wheel to rough mine out and then freehanded the final shape with a series of files, scrapers and sandpaper. This is not the recommended method!

A word to the wise, cover the faces with tape to preclude surface scratches while shaping. They don't really sand out of this stuff.

Barncaster

[PapaLion]

Thanks very much for that help. I'll try your improved way. And good to know it is the correct material. I'm figuring a small router, template etc.

MoonDogz> Thanks for kudoo on Kellie, Her name is CrazeeKellie for good reason, loves the young Boer goats at my ranchita... I mean like a mother hen loves her chicks.

[Colt W. Knight]

85315K201 GRADE XX GAROLITE SHEET, BLACK, 1/16" THICK, 24" X 36"

That's what I use Papa, it was only 23$ shipped.

I thought it was pretty easy to work with. You just have to be careful to use sharp tools. Dull blades will rip and tear it. But a router cleans it up super nice. Shoot it with some lacquer afterwards, and it looks super nice.

[MORCILLO]

There are rods for dot markers, side and fretboard.
Ill try to buy something, but dont know if they do deliver to 3er world...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#garolite-sheets/=9mo9cd

[PapaLion]

Material arrived, looks great, thanks for the point. I got some black and just for fun a small sheet of the brown which is really medium Carmel colored, opaque and shiny. I'm going to try various methods on the scrap to compare and I'll share some info on how it goes if it is interesting. I have a 1hp Craftsman made in USA router near about as old as me, smooth as silk, all ball bearing. I just got a bit I think will work well. I don't have a good router stand, so I'm probably going to build a new one as part of this.