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Upping my game- New tools and telecaster build
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:04 pm
by Addam
Leading on from
My Template thread
I've got myself some tools to make body blanks, got a jointer and this thicknesser
I got an Ash board from the local timber merchant, enough to make 6 bodies.
I think it looks good.
It turns out that the blades are worn on the jointer, new ones have been ordered, so I will need to wait!
BTW, I sold my jagstang, and managed to buy enough shit to piece together a Telecaster and a Mustang.
I'm planning on a '70's vibe for both with brown stain finish and black pickguards.
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:12 pm
by cur
sweet! what kind of joiner did you get? Did it come with at jig for setting the new blades?
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:22 pm
by Addam
It's just a cheap one like
this.
I paid £100 for the thicknesser and jointer.
No jig to set it up neither. But I'll work it out! (I hope!)
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:47 pm
by cur
I went from having all full sized tool to the bench top stuff like you have and I am happy about doing so. I really don't do too much big furniture stuff any more and find that the bench top stuff does me just fine for the guitar type stuff. It just takes a little longer to get everything set up because the gauges and fences are never very accurate.
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:24 pm
by JohnnyTheBoy
Absolute bargains there, Well spotted!
I'm watching a 4" planer jointer on ebay as we speak...im hoping its wide enough to plane necks...
I've given up searching for a bench that can house my router and electric planer all in one, so i hope i can get this table planer cheap!
I hate relying on other people for favours, and would much rather have the gear to do things myself!
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:43 pm
by Addam
I ordered some blades for the jointer, but they don't fit. So I had a go at sharpening the hideously worn blades. Not just blunt, but like a chunk missing.
I think I got it sussed, and moved the fence over so I was using the part of the blade that wasn't so fucked.
This lump of wood is going to be a Telecaster. I think it looks rather nice.
I got
a '50s style neck from Axes r us
It's a little on the yellow side, but I'm impressed with the quality for the price.
Looks good with the kluson-style tuners I had in the draw.
Oh, I've got another blank , which will be a mustang.
And does anybody have any tips on doing a '70s style brown stain body?
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:51 pm
by weed_killer
I stained a Les Paul copy once. I used household furniture stain, then applied a couple coats of floor wax. It works great because you can apply as much as you want, depending on the type of finish you're going for (shiny, matte, etc).
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 4:11 pm
by Addam
Today has been a good lesson in sorting out fuckups.
I learned that Hard ash and jigsaws are not a good combo. I had to mave the body across the blank to compensate for the hideous blade wander on the first cut.
I got stuck in with making so didn't really take pictures.
The tearout on the top horn I've sorted by cutting the area off and gluing a new section in. (pics later)
So might have to go for a solid finish now.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:17 pm
by taylornutt
AddamInsane wrote:Today has been a good lesson in sorting out fuckups.
I learned that Hard ash and jigsaws are not a good combo. I had to mave the body across the blank to compensate for the hideous blade wander on the first cut.
I got stuck in with making so didn't really take pictures.
The tearout on the top horn I've sorted by cutting the area off and gluing a new section in. (pics later)
So might have to go for a solid finish now.
I wish my routes had looked that clean on my Baja Build. Looking good. You probably don't need any help, but in the rare case you might drop me line. What colors are you thinking? Pickups?
You have some crazy grain patterns going on there. I had to cut my boards in half and glue them back together because the planer was not wide enough. Mustang is next on my list as well.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:25 pm
by JohnnyTheBoy
Bummer about the blades for the jointer/thicknesser ;-( have you had a look on ebay? i'm sure theyre not unlike anyother planer/jointers and use similar blades...a lot of companies just whack their labels on other peeps stuff...
I stained my les paul build with woodturning dye after using several applications of sanding sealer beforehand..but even then the Ash i used really sucked the colour in...had to apply plenty of coats to get it even...in hindsite i probably wouldve chosen to have mixed a tint within the laquer coats when i applied em....
Looks like a good job on the tele body all things considered...i hate jigsaws but youve done a bostin job on cutting that out, but i'd recommend you get a bandsaw as your next purchase...really useful bit of kit!...ive got a scrollsaw for the finer stuff and will be using it to cut my mop inlays on my neck...
You have some good projects lined up by the look of it! will be watching the mustang build for sure
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:49 pm
by DGNR8
I love a good grain Tele. I am still in awe of people who can work with wood or metal. Once I got to the point of thinking about making guitars I bought an old car instead.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:57 pm
by Addam
Taylor;
I have some ebay special pickups that I put in a kit-tele. I loved the sound, but hated the finish on it because I painted it with car paint. The neck was especially vile- not slick at all! I'll wire it up Baja-style too. 4-way switch and a push-pull tone pot.
I was going to do a rather sexy '70s style turd-brown stain, but fiesta red is more likely with the little repair on the upper bout.
The mustang WILL be turd brown!
I would like to (at some point) do a brown version of CAR. Gold basecoat with a dark brown laquer. Like a '70s showcar.
Rotten apple brown, Candy-Turd?
Johnny;
I did get some blades off ebay, right make, wrong model!
Wish I could get a bandsaw, but I have no space and no money!
I did this in my little 6'x16' backyard. I built my red jagstang in the downstairs loo, and still store most of my powertools there!
Cheapness is KING. I even made my own router table with a £20ish router and a FOC coffee table.
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:34 pm
by gaybear
DGNR8 wrote: I am still in awe of people who can work with wood or metal.
me too! totally jealous.
i need a VERY PATIENT teacher someday
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 12:17 am
by JohnnyTheBoy
AddamInsane wrote:I did this in my little 6'x16' backyard. I built my red jagstang in the downstairs loo, and still store most of my powertools there!
That's fab chap!, i take my hat off to ya...Jagstang workshop in the loo ha ha!..brilliant!...i have a carport-come-garage where my crap is, but its freezing cold usually and full of car shit, surfboards and a kayak...i cant move in there! no worksurfacespace either...
Must get another workmate....
AddamInsane wrote:Cheapness is KING. I even made my own router table with a £20ish router and a FOC coffee table.
That's bloody ace!!!...out of a coffee table?? sheesh! that's a genius idea!!...
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:05 pm
by Addam
Closeups of the coffee-router-table.
Cheap B&Q router screwed on!
SIMPLES!!!
Oh, the clamp is to hold the power switch permanently on. I plug in/unplug it to control the on/offness.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:54 pm
by Addam
Sneaky peek of my now planned finish.
Did that on an offcut, will be smoother and shinier on the real thing.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:40 pm
by Joey
I love tools!
Watch that planer, they have a tendency to "snipe". You get a hump in the board about 4" from the edges. It's hard to see some times but you can definitely feel it. I'm gonna start adding more length to my boards to avoid the problem, just cut the snipe sections off so I don't have to deal with em.
Read the article - "Routing Body Blanks.pdf - on Mar 8, 2010 5:29 AM by Mark Moore (version 1) " at the link below. The photo's will show you how to cut downhill and avoid tear outs.
http://sites.google.com/site/marksguitarstuff/
Ugh, I hate router tables & table saws. They make me sick to my stomach. Scared to death of em.
I'm saving up for a 15" planer & 16"/32" drum sander. I use local cabinet shops for 15" planers & large drum sanders. They are happy to let me roam their shops & use stuff. They always refuse cash, but I pay em anyways with cash, beer & pizza... depending on how many blanks I've got.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:18 pm
by taylornutt
I had to borrow lots of tools for my tele build. i am going to start picking up tools slowly so I don't have to borrow anything. I need everything which is why I haven't started a new one yet. I may hunt on CL to save some money.
Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:59 pm
by Joey
YARD SALES!
Re: Upping my game- Telecaster, now with pickguard making
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 1:04 pm
by Addam
AddamInsane wrote:Leading on from
My Template thread
I've got myself some tools to make body blanks, got a jointer and this thicknesser
I got an Ash board from the local timber merchant, enough to make 6 bodies.
I think it looks good.
It turns out that the blades are worn on the jointer, new ones have been ordered, so I will need to wait!
BTW, I sold my jagstang, and managed to buy enough shit to piece together a Telecaster and a Mustang.
I'm planning on a '70's vibe for both with brown stain finish and black pickguards.
