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My challenge build
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10132&t=34846
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Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I'm more or less done with the inside of the top. I just have to scrape/sand it a little smoother, and then brace it. Oh, and cut the F-holes.

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This morning, I worked on the damascus steel I'll be making the tailpiece out of. I might also use it for the tuner buttons.

I started with 13 layers. The thick ones are 1084, which because of it's manganese content etches dark, and the thin layers are 15N20, which has a high nickel content, which resists etching, and so will remain bright. More on that later.

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Here's the billet arc welded together, and a handle welded on. The arc welding just holds the layers together while I'm forge welding. Forge welding makes all the layers into one piece.

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In the forge:

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Here's my power hammer:

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Here's the billet after the first weld:

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After drawing it out to about 16". It started out 4" long.

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Then the surfaces are ground clean:

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Next I'll be cutting it into four 4" sections, restacking them and welding. Then do it all one more time. At that point there will be about 200 layers, which should give a nice bold pattern.

Author:  Chris Oliver [ Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That's Hot. [:Y:]

Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Quote:
I've been researching online some, and I think I want to go with parallel bracing for this one.


Yes thats what you want , and I doubt that you are to thin on that . I would go ahead and use it .

I love watching mark work on that damascus steel . u should do a toot on making that steel part on here a seperate thread , that in itself is a kewl thing to see

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  My challenge build

Wow! That's very cool! Never saw anyone make demascus steel before! And on a one of a kind archtop ukulele? This might cause a rift in the space-time continuum!

Author:  Alex Kleon [ Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I checked out your web site a while back, and your work is stunning!! I heard that in ancient times, the blacksmith had to work outside of the towns because they thought they were performing magic. :evil: I think they were kind of right. [clap]

Alex

Author:  muskr@ [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

+1 [clap]
That tailpiece is going to look awesome. How do you get the pattern into the steel?

Author:  valleyofelah [ Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Phillip, great build. You have my head spinning with the idea of a damascus tailpiece. [:Y:] You may have to add mandolin/uke tailpieces and tuner buttons to your website for sales. I have a feeling it could generate some business.

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

muskr@ wrote:
+1 [clap]
That tailpiece is going to look awesome. How do you get the pattern into the steel?


I'll get to that before too long. There's different ways you can make patterns. This one will involve an angle grinder. More on that later.

In the meantime, I've been working on some other parts.

The truss rod:

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The fretboard:

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The rim:

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The solid laminated linings, which are catalpa:

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Sorry, not a lot of detail, but I have a lot going on right now.

I'm having a hard time locating quartersawn black walnut, so I may be using a flat back, instead of carved.

Author:  Chris Pile [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That is going to be one beautiful guitar!

Author:  nyazzip [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

love this project. my grandpa had a little forge and i got to watch him mess around on it a bit. wish i had the space to do that stuff. wont the damascus rust pretty bad....?

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

nyazzip wrote:
love this project. my grandpa had a little forge and i got to watch him mess around on it a bit. wish i had the space to do that stuff. wont the damascus rust pretty bad....?


Damascus is less rust prone than plain carbon steel, thanks to the oxides that form when it's etched. Also, I'll put a good thick coat of wax on it. Might even lacquer it instead of wax.


I need some advice on the F-holes. Does this look like the right size to you all?

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Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Here's the projected location of the f holes. Usually they're closer to the waist, but this is just where the saddle will be so...

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Author:  Chris Oliver [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

The size looks fine for that body. You might want rotate it a bit counterclockwise, but that's just a personal taste thing. It won't change the sound much, but placement-wise, you might tape the cutouts on and check where the pic/fingernails will be going. If the f-hole has a fragile spot right in line with the strumming motion, it could be a casualty in the near future.

Just something to think about.

Lookin' good.

Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I think you will like the lower f hole location for the sound . When I did that with the last Mando-Lind it gave it more bass and a deeper tone . Amazing how 1" diff can make a sound diff. Looking good ! [:Y:]

Author:  alan stassforth [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Amazing, Phillip!
You might think about making those tailpieces and selling them to archtop builders!

Author:  truckjohn [ Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Neat... I am really enjoying this one.. I have wanted to try out ERC for a long time.. So far, I haven't been able to locate a piece of it that is free of knots and cracks enough for a top... or I would have to just plan to carve it out of knots....

Looking forward to seeing the tailpiece as well...

Ever thought of fooling with Wootz? I really do have a hankering for a good Wootz knife....

Thanks

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

truckjohn wrote:
Neat... I am really enjoying this one.. I have wanted to try out ERC for a long time.. So far, I haven't been able to locate a piece of it that is free of knots and cracks enough for a top... or I would have to just plan to carve it out of knots....


The knots are really hard to carve...

Quote:
Looking forward to seeing the tailpiece as well...

Ever thought of fooling with Wootz? I really do have a hankering for a good Wootz knife....

Thanks


Not really. I'll probably get into that someday, but no plans yet. I already have more ideas than I have time for. gaah ;)


Yesterday I got the linings for the top installed:

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Author:  Phillip Patton [ Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

And last night I cut the F-holes, and today I cleaned them up:

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Yeah, I know they aren't very symmetrical....


I also braced the top:

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and glued it to the rims:

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Should get the back glued on tomorrow.

Author:  Cocephus [ Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

You`re making great progress, Phillip.
Was there quite a change in the tap tone after you cut the f-holes and added the braces?
I remember when i was at your place awhile back and I did some tapping on it I remember thinking that this top had a good bit of potential.
I know it had to change things, but how much?
Coe Franklin

Author:  Chris Oliver [ Fri Feb 17, 2012 10:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Phillip Patton wrote:
Yeah, I know they aren't very symmetrical....

Instead... "They don't look symmetrical and they aren't... on purpose. This is a design feature." :D

Looking good!

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Cocephus wrote:
You`re making great progress, Phillip.
Was there quite a change in the tap tone after you cut the f-holes and added the braces?
I remember when i was at your place awhile back and I did some tapping on it I remember thinking that this top had a good bit of potential.
I know it had to change things, but how much?
Coe Franklin


There was a big change after I cut the f-holes. Difficult to describe, but it sounded "better". :mrgreen:
Then after the braces it sounded "tighter", then after shaving the braces it rang like a bell. [:Y:]

Some more pics:

The back. It's flatsawn, but has nice coloring.

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The cedar cross grain seam patch:

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Gluing the patch on:

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After shaping it with a curved plane:

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Author:  Phillip Patton [ Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

The braces, which are catalpa:

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The braces shaped and trimmed to length:

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The linings notched:

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And the back glued on:

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Author:  Chris Oliver [ Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Awesome, it is a great feeling the get the box glued up... now the other half of the battle!

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Chris Oliver wrote:
Awesome, it is a great feeling the get the box glued up... now the other half of the battle!


Yep, binding's next. My favorite part. [headinwall]

I decided to use osage orange for the binding. Mostly because it's the only wood I've tried that will survive the tight bend at the waist. Easiest wood to bend that I know of. bliss

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I use a laminate trimmer for binding. I made a somewhat convex base to help offset the curve of the back. But that wouldn't work with this carved top, so I made a new base:

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Worked pretty good. The thickness of the edge of the top wasn't real uniform, so the initial channel was not straight. So I had to scrape some areas thinner and go over it with the router again.

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Installing the tail wedge. A couple times I've forgotten to do this before installing the binding. What a pain that is...

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Author:  alan stassforth [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That thing is coming out really nice! "Installing the tail wedge. A couple times I've forgotten to do this before installing the binding. What a pain that is..."
I've come close to forgetting that as well.
I just put a couple of coats of shellac on my build,
and realized I didn't inlay my logo on the peghead.
I just walked in from doing that today!

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