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Steve S' Challenge Special_Final Photos and Video uploaded
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10133&t=37257
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Author:  SteveSmith [ Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Head plate glue up - maple and BRW.
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I use 1/16" locating pins in two of the tuner holes to keep everything positioned
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Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Looks nice. You might be the only one using BRW on a budget build!

Author:  SteveSmith [ Thu Aug 23, 2012 6:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Ha - turns out it was the most reasonable alternative (in my stash) for bindings and headplates unless I used the bubinga for everything. I had already rejected walnut, mahogany, and cherry. The color match really isn't what I wanted; I would have much preferred to use ebony binding, but it's just too expensive. ABS would have fit the budget but I really wanted to use wood. idunno

I found that board at Jefferies Hardwood about 6 or 7 years ago. Got 3.1 bd. ft. for $10.31/bd. ft. so $31.96. I've used half of it in two slices, one slice to make bindings and backstrips for four guitars. And a thin slice yielded 3 sets of headplates, tail wedge and heel cap. So I'm figuring about 1/3 of the half slice or $5.33 which I'll add to my budget.

If you keep your eyes open and don't mind digging through piles of lumber you can find good guitar wood at the local hardwood supplier for reasonable prices.

Here's what I sliced off.
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Author:  SteveSmith [ Sun Aug 26, 2012 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Harvested and put up apples all day Saturday and only got into the shop for a few hours this afternoon. I did manage to bend the poplar for the linings and laminate a pair. This is my first try at laminated linings. I'll laminate the other pair tomorrow night, if I have time.
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Used fish glue
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Figured I'd wrap them in wax paper so I could form two next to each other. Was a bit messy.
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Good thing I bought a butt load of those clamps when they were on sale.
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Author:  Marcus [ Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Filippo Morelli wrote:
Steve,
I'm all gaa gaa over that vise. How about a few photos of it ... and what is it?

Filippo


Looks like it is Stew Mac's "Ultimate Vise"
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Vises/Ultimate_Vise.html

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Aug 27, 2012 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Filippo,

Marcus is correct. It is the ultimate vise from StewMac.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Vises/Ultimate_Vise.html

I agonized over whether I wanted to spend the money on this cause it is expensive, but I'm glad I did. I find myself using it all the time and I really like it. In fact, the longer I have it the more things I find myself using if for.

I did not see any of the workmanship issues mentioned in the reviews (I was fully prepared to send it back if I had). Bob Gleason commented that it was difficult to lock the ball with the short handle so he made a longer one. I haven't experienced that problem but if I do it's an easy fix.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Aug 27, 2012 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

The first set of laminated linings is out and cleaned up. They are just laying on top of the sides but the fit is very good. Since I'm using fish glue I have to wait overnight before unclamping. In the photo the second set is in the background still waiting glue-up but before I left the shop tonight I got the second set glued up and clamped to the form.

One thing I've realized rather quickly is that I need a male-female mold assembly to make it easier to get a good clean laminate. The falcate braces are the next laminates and I'll do that for them.

Edit: I just realized I used 3/4" birch ply for the tail block instead of the 1/2" I usually use. Hummmpf.

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Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Those linings look nice. I have been laminating mine one the rim but have a ton of clean up to do in the non-plate side of the linings since they don't necessarily line up during glue up. I need to re-think my process.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

They didn't look very nice when I unwrapped them. Did I mention fish glue sticks to wax paper pretty well? I cleaned those up with a plane and the oscillating spindle sander then trimmed the ends

Author:  SteveSmith [ Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Haven't posted much the last few days so here's an update on my progress.

Obligatory plane shot - cleaning up the laminated linings.
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Trimmed the sides
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Using chalk to check the fit in the radius dish, close enough for now
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Put on the sound port pattern with diluted fish glue
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Laminating a piece of maple and BRW to the inside to back the sound port.
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Since I'm going to try Trevor's falcate bracing scheme I figured I'd try out his CF reinforced bridge so here's the bridge blank sliced in two pieces with CF cloth. My usual 1/16" locating pins - makes laminating things so much easier if you have a place to put them. Bridge is Bastogne walnut.
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Someone had noted that when using CF it's easier to use gloves and work the epoxy into the cloth. I did that and it seemed to work well. I also put a thin coat of epoxy on each piece of wood.
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Ready to clamp.
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Author:  SteveSmith [ Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Got the laminated bridge blank trimmed and glued the pattern on it. This is a new shape I came up with - I wanted something without sharp corners.
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Author:  SteveSmith [ Sun Sep 02, 2012 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Put on bias strips for side support. I like to use wood but this bubinga is pretty tough and these are quicker. I glue them on with HHG then put a coat of shellac on them when they're dry.
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Had to cut a rebate in the linings for the sound port reinforcement. You can see the reinforcement in the upper left. That was a bit of a pain.
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Finally, I designed a new clamp storage rack :lol:
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Author:  Linus [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

It looks like an amazing build. I'm loving all the pics of your progress.

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

I like the way this is comming together.

Author:  WudWerkr [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Clamping design brought to you by " Rube Goldberg " laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe

Looking good so far ! [:Y:]

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Thanks guys! I decided to try some new ideas and techniques with this guitar so it's been a challenge. The challenge will continue as I get to the falcate top bracing and live back bracing. I'm a bit nervous about aligning the bridge before I even brace the top; that's gonna be fussy.

Got the clamps off this morning and the top linings came out good so I put in the bottom linings and reclamped the monster. My regular kerfed-lining clamps are not strong enough even though most of the gaps I'm closing are only a 1/16" or so. I suppose if I'm going to do more laminated linings then I need to find some strong clamps that just open maybe 2 to 4" - anyone have any recommendations?

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

WudWerkr wrote:
Clamping design brought to you by " Rube Goldberg " laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe ...


Rube likes to come hang out in the shop every once in a while - we've been good friends since I was a small child :?

Author:  Bryan Bear [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Rube hangs out in my workshoppe too, I just wish he would stop inviting Murphy to come along with him.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 5:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Could definitely do without Murphy.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Sep 03, 2012 7:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Was gone most of the day but did manage to get a bit of time in the shop and got the bridge shaped.

The milling machine is for sale but as long as I still have it, it makes it easy to slot the bridge. And yes, the chuck was in there so didn't bother to change to a collet.
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Here it is on a different body. Jury's out on this one, might do a bit more shaping - opinions welcome
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Author:  Rodger Knox [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

I sort of like it, but somethings not quite right. Maybe the wings need to be a little longer?

Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

I like the bridge design myself .

As for the mill , I use my drill press and a dual slide vice and can accomplish same thing . Mills great to have , but drill press is cheaper laughing6-hehe

And BTW Im glad rube and murphy are buggin you guys , maybe they will stay the heck outa MY SHOP for a while ! :?

Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Thanks for the comments guys. I took some time to sand the bridge down some more, cleaned up the edges, and I'm liking it quite a bit better. I still think I will ebonize the bridge and fretboard because I think they will look better if they're black. At least I won't ever have to worry about this bridge splitting ;)

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Got the linings in and the inside cleaned up. Next is to cut the soundport then I can start working on the back and top.
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Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Steve S' Challenge Special

Looks good.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Steve S' Challenge Special

Spent the last 4 days clearing the garage, having a massive garage sale, and started scraping the ceiling (yes, popcorn in a garage). Also pulling 4 potlights to put in some T8 fluorescent lights. Haven't been to the shop at all this week gaah

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