ShortScale.org

i think i will build at least one dano style guitar. probably i will use an allparts neck (maybe with a blank paddle to make my own headstock shape), but i want to make the body pine/masonite style.

i have alway been interested in making guitars and this seems to be the best way, all things considered. i wont be making straight up copies but the body construction will be similar.

(i am aware im not the first to think of this.)

anyhow, my first concern is routing. this style isn't very 3D, so thats probably good as far as routing goes.

im totally clueless as far as hardware. would this work?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... e+Trimmers

seems too cheap, or something. is this the kind of thing i need to look at? i know there are some DIYers here, what do you guys use?

thanks!

thats abotu 20 thousand times a step up on what i use.

i picked up a $7.00 dremmel, and then some router bits that fit into my drill
clamp my tool down, and move things around it
its super sketch but on the flip side, it works

this thing will do the trick, things will not look quite so sketch
but also probably run you more then $13 after tax and wandering through your hardware store.

serfx wrote:thats abotu 20 thousand times a step up on what i use.

i picked up a $7.00 dremmel, and then some router bits that fit into my drill
clamp my tool down, and move things around it
its super sketch but on the flip side, it works

this thing will do the trick, things will not look quite so sketch
but also probably run you more then $13 after tax and wandering through your hardware store.

haha, sounds like a sweet rig!

if it works it works, man. i would like to be able to justify selling the things if someone wants them, so something a little more pro maybe is appropriate. plus the price of the one i posted is pretty realistic for me.

im really excited. i think ill go sort of fenderish, make a shortscale, a singlecut, a doublecut, and an offset waist. my first will be a telecaster style one for myself, but if i like it ill probably want to make more.

thanks for the input! basically the craftsman deal i posted is what you are doing, its just a table with a tool clamped to it.

i think ill base the bodies on microfrets, loosely.

1/ You just need a 1/4 inch router with accesories (guide bush is important) and a selection of cutters. Make sure one of the straight flute cutters is capable of 30mm+ depths for the control cavities. But if you are cutting the body from a blank with no access to a bandsaw you will need an 1/2 inch router with a 50mm straight bit.
2/ Clamps are important
3/ A steel rule.
4/ Spokeshave is handy for contours
5/ Various glass/sand paper and block
6/ A cheap sander if you can
7/ Consider the headstock shape. You may need a jigsaw.
8/ Most important: a decent work surface

Its worth reading up how jigs work with routers as well.

Fran wrote:1/ You just need a 1/4 inch router with accesories (guide bush is important) and a selection of cutters. Make sure one of the straight flute cutters is capable of 30mm+ depths for the control cavities. But if you are cutting the body from a blank with no access to a bandsaw you will need an 1/2 inch router with a 50mm straight bit.
2/ Clamps are important
3/ A steel rule.
4/ Spokeshave is handy for contours
5/ Various glass/sand paper and block
6/ A cheap sander if you can
7/ Consider the headstock shape. You may need a jigsaw.
8/ Most important: a decent work surface

Its worth reading up how jigs work with routers as well.

wow, thanks! itll take me a little bit to look into all that and come up with some new questions.

I used a £20 1/4" router and a 'pattern bit' (with bearing)
BUT you WILL get tearout and you WILL fuck up your template!

I've been experimenting with the guide (like Fran says to use) that came with my router.
It takes a little more thought with the templates cos the guide is a few mm from the cutter, but the cut is much neater.
So far, no tearout and the template survives unscathed to use another time!

Also you should get a couple of straight cutting bits with the router, use them!
I bought a cheap set of about 10 cutters, which had a couple of round over bits, and was well worth the money.

Above all. DO NOT RUSH ANYTHING!!!
An extra 10mins of doing the job properly/slowly will save hours trying to put right what went wrong when you rushed.

Anyway, have fun! Nothing beats playing a guitar that YOU made!

Did you finish your project Adam? I dont remember pics.

adam is right, taking a few extra mins is key to a nice product, i know when i rush stuff i will over look the smallest of details that usually end up causing bigger problems down the line.