MDF Mosrite

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:03 pm

For some time i wanted a Mosrite, due to Johnny Ramone of course but could never afford one. So i decided to build one.
My last project (JS) was a struggle at times so i tried to set my plans out on this one so things ran smoothly. Hmm.

MDF? Yep, bad choice, but its cheap, readily available and finishes well. Plus i thought if it goes wrong i wont but losing much... considering the MDF coast me Â£4.75.
I purchased the 18mm half-board and laminated two pieces together using contact adhesive (Evo) making a 36mm blank. I also cramped it up because i wanted the joint as tight as possible leaving less work later on filling.

Three days later and the two boards are set together solid. So i start to make a neck pocket template..

A nice tight fit on a Strat size neck.
Then i copied my Mosrite template onto the MDF blank so that i could determine where the neck pocket route needed to go. It is easier to route the pocket before cutting the actual body shape.

Cramped the template in position and routed.. (I made the depth of the pocket quite shallow compared to a Strat pocket route as i want to use a Wrapover bridge and dont want to be shimming the neck up to suit).

Then it was time for the big 'un... routing out the body!
I will mention at this point, DO NOT BUY A CHEAP ROUTER CUTTER!!
Like this...

You see the silver bearing guide that follows the template is held in position by the black collet via two tiny grub screws to hold it in place. The grub screws work themselves loose (just like a Jag bridge lulz) and things get fucked up.

So i struggled with the body, in the end trying to hold the bearing in place with electricians tape

Unfortunately because of this i am left with a fair bit of sanding to do, something i wanted to avoid with it being MDF. But i think its salvageable, so, ON WITH THE DAY!!

All up to date with progress. Very disappointed with the cutter leaving the body with some work but all in all quite pleased. I think i will invest in a decent cutter for next time.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:09 pm

Looks good. I applaud you for trying it with MDF.

This would even be a good idea if someone wanted to learn how to route properly without fucking up an expensive piece of mahogany.

Which leads me to my question: How different do you think this is to work with compared to 'real' wood?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:15 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:Looks good. I applaud you for trying it with MDF.

This would even be a good idea if someone wanted to learn how to route properly without fucking up an expensive piece of mahogany.

Which leads me to my question: How different do you think this is to work with compared to 'real' wood?

I really think wood tone is bull shit.

I prefer mahogany, but only because I like the heft of it.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:15 pm

i have had a few bearings shatter on me, and even had a bit break in half one time, granted i was running the fuckers pretty hot and wasn't using much lube(hahahah)
carry on good sir!

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:23 pm

BacchusPaul wrote:Which leads me to my question: How different do you think this is to work with compared to 'real' wood?

Its easier in the sense cutters glide through it, there is'nt any substance to it in comparison to say mahogany. but, the dust is horrendous. Hardwood dust is harmful but MDF goes into minute particles that just linger in the air. I would'nt attempt this indoors, not without an expensive ventilation system anyways.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:25 pm

Fran wrote:
BacchusPaul wrote:Which leads me to my question: How different do you think this is to work with compared to 'real' wood?
Its easier in the sense cutters glide through it, there is'nt any substance to it in comparison to say mahogany. but, the dust is horrendous. Hardwood dust is harmful but MDF goes into minute particles that just linger in the air. I would'nt attempt this indoors, not without an expensive ventilation system anyways.

Did you end up with any problems with glue melting?

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:26 pm

a couple years back i spent about 2-3 weeks straight making 3 sets of every template i had, long story short, for about 1 months during and after that i was constantly hacking up particles, had brown stuff in my nose, and it was rather hard to breathe.
and get this, i was wearing a nice respirator mask.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:26 pm

p90s and jag trem? best of luck with the project, looking really good so far

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:33 pm

Awesome project. I'm looking forward to see how this one turns out.
So in terms of finish and layout, you going for the Jhonny Ramone reverse tuxedo, mismatched knob look or do you have something fancier in mind?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:36 pm

laterallateral wrote:Awesome project. I'm looking forward to see how this one turns out.
So in terms of finish and layout, you going for the Jhonny Ramone reverse tuxedo, mismatched knob look or do you have something fancier in mind?

His pick guard is tort I think.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:42 pm

You mean Fran's?

Sorta hard to tell but that's some dark-ass tort, if at all.

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:43 pm

sorry, I meant Fran's pick guard.

I almsot bought it from him.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:45 pm

I see.

So Fran, shellpinxorz?

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 6:47 pm

laterallateral wrote:I see.

So Fran, shellpinxorz?

I support this plan.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:00 pm

No problems at all with glue melting Paul.
It was quite windy today so the dust was'nt a big problem, i do remember using MDF a lot at work a few years ago and i used to come home feeling sick some days.
Thanks for the comments, it wont be an exact clone but something similar. My SP is tort and i intend to paint it white, im favouring a wrapover bridge as well.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:05 pm

be careful with MDF dust, it's got formaldehyde in it and is carcinogenic if you breathe it in sufficient quantaties. shame nobody told us that in woodwork classes at high school, not an extractor fan in sight and we were walking through clouds of the shit.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:14 pm

I know dude. Some years ago Health & Safety used to come round workshops and measure the levels with a special meter, so a lot of places had to upgrade their ventilation systems. I believe Ply and Chipboard also contain formaldehyde but the dust created is not as fine as that of MDF so its not as high risk.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:31 pm

Intersting relevant reading here Francis.

TheBurbz · Post by **TheBurbz** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:48 pm

Do you think the MDF is going to have the strength to hold those bridge tailpiece studs? I was using MDF for something once, got it a bit damp and it turned into fucking paper.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:37 pm

benecol wrote:Intersting relevant reading here Francis.

on a side note, this guy has 10,000 posts on that forum- can you imagine reading 10,000 posts of this gibberish?

ole fuzzy wrote: ...I haff noe idea but I dew noe that this here test board made outta cabinet door and a metal frame with the strings goin over a bolt and high enuff offin the board tew slip any P/U unner sounds jes like yer clip.

...The TDPDTTC rite behind it sounds a lot li kat also and its made outta hollowed out oak pieces.

...A Twin and a liddo reverb kin go a long weigh toward makin it last fer a spell. I never stood unner this sustain stuff. I'm alwayz ready fer the next note and kant weight fer the string tew stop ringin.

0.F.