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Build started
https://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=50960		 Page 7 of 10
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Tue Feb 16, 2021 12:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
A spruce splint over the open side of the x-joint is a LOT better than a piece of cheese cloth.
Author:  banjopicks [ Tue Feb 16, 2021 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Sounds good to me, thanks Barry
Author:  TerrenceMitchell [ Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Barry Daniels wrote:
A spruce splint over the open side of the x-joint is a LOT better than a piece of cheese cloth.



Absolutely agree on this point. cloth is nothing compared to a piece of long-grained wood.

On the subject of back joint, I don't do decorative strips in any of my guitars. If you can't get the joint tight enough for a clean glue line then you need to work out your technique for jointing those edges. This is not an overly difficult woodworking skill, whether using power or hand tools. I've done both on a 22" back joint and a 12' table top. You just need to know your tools and your abilities.
Author:  banjopicks [ Tue Feb 16, 2021 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I do the decorative strip because I want it. I get perfect joins every time gluing tops and backs. My issue was trying to route one in after the fact and the box was closed. I'm sure I can do it with some practice but I'd rather build the strip in from now on. It seemed to work pretty well this time though clamping was a little more difficult then just joining the back halves with tape. I may try joining the 2 halves with tape which always work great on my next one and follow up with routing a shallow strip while it's still flat.

If I ever get a back set that has some color shift to white at the seam, then I may not add the strip.
Author:  banjopicks [ Wed Feb 17, 2021 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I almost spent my morning watching YouTube but caught myself and headed on down to the basement. It's so much fun watching other people make guitars.

I got the braces carved and looking real good. Took the back to bandsaw and cut the shape close. Next up is make sure the cuts are correct on the sides and kerfing. I'm going with about 1/16" depth for the braces. I'm getting really good at making backs and braces. I'm determined that this guitar will be a player at the very least and structurally sound as well. Otherwise it's just firewood. It may even look good, I can only hope.
Author:  banjopicks [ Thu Aug 26, 2021 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I wish I took photos but I'm so thankful that I can add wood now and then. I don't know what's going on with me these days, I built 3 F5 mandolins in the past but I can't seem to do this guitar. In shaping the neck, I shaped to far into the peghead and even took some of the fretboard binding, ugh. At least I'm able to fix the peghead and extra stock is glued on and I'll start reshaping it tonight. I don't think there's anything I can do about the thin binding near the nut so I think I'm just going to live with it and get this disaster behind me. I'm just trying to get to guitar number 2 now and I don't have a lot of love for this one. I'll make it a player for sure.
Author:  banjopicks [ Fri Aug 27, 2021 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Aside from the binding mishap, I think I made a good comeback on this one. I added ears and reshaped the headstock. I had already done the right side and I was on the fence about the left side. I'm glad I bit the bullet.

Attachment:
Added ears to reshape.jpg


All reshaped

Attachment:
Reshaped.jpg


I glued the overlay on without a caul at first to make sure it remained tight against the nut blank.

Attachment:
GluedOverlayNoCaul.jpg


After a few minutes of letting the glue set up, I removed the clamps and added a caul and re-clamped it.
You may be able to see where I got the binding thinned out during initial shaping on the treble side. I don't plan to fix it unless I get some really good ideas from you guys.
Attachment:
AddedCaul.jpg
Author:  SteveSmith [ Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Sounds like you had no troubles but made me think of something. Maybe my method will be useful for someone. Early on I had problems getting the overlay exactly where I wanted it so I came up with a way to lock it into place while gluing it.

When gluing the overlay I use my headstock template to mark out the outline and location of the tuner holes. I drill the tuner holes to 1/8" using the drill press to make sure the holes are perpendicular to the top of the headstock. Then I take my time fitting my overlay; I like to cut the angle for the nut (already selected and flattened) and then position and clamp the overlay so that there is only 20 or 30 thou to clean up to make the nut fit exactly. I drill two of the 1/8" tuner holes up through the overlay so that it is indexed in the exact position where I want it. Then I glue it using two waxed stainless 1/8" dowel pins and a caul that has a couple of 3/8" holes in it. Once the glue starts to set then I pull the pins. Maybe more trouble than others want to go through but it allows me to get my headstock overlay exactly where I want it and makes fitting the nut easy. I also use 1/16" dowel pins in fret slots 1 and 10 when gluing the fretboard.

Anyway, I'm enjoying following along, back to the regularly scheduled program Eat Drink
Author:  banjopicks [ Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I like that idea and will incorporate it into build 2. Thanks
Author:  Colin North [ Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
SteveSmith wrote:
Sounds like you had no troubles but made me think of something. Maybe my method will be useful for someone. Early on I had problems getting the overlay exactly where I wanted it so I came up with a way to lock it into place while gluing it.

When gluing the overlay I use my headstock template to mark out the outline and location of the tuner holes. I drill the tuner holes to 1/8" using the drill press to make sure the holes are perpendicular to the top of the headstock. Then I take my time fitting my overlay; I like to cut the angle for the nut (already selected and flattened) and then position and clamp the overlay so that there is only 20 or 30 thou to clean up to make the nut fit exactly. I drill two of the 1/8" tuner holes up through the overlay so that it is indexed in the exact position where I want it. Then I glue it using two waxed stainless 1/8" dowel pins and a caul that has a couple of 3/8" holes in it. Once the glue starts to set then I pull the pins. Maybe more trouble than others want to go through but it allows me to get my headstock overlay exactly where I want it and makes fitting the nut easy. I also use 1/16" dowel pins in fret slots 1 and 10 when gluing the fretboard.

Anyway, I'm enjoying following along, back to the regularly scheduled program Eat Drink

I just use wooden skewers in the waste area (then shape everything with a robosander) and put a waxed nut in place. Maybe you have things trimmed beforehand.
I use 1.2 mm pins in the fret slots and 4.5mm wooden dowels in the outside bridge pin holes to locate the bridge.
Author:  banjopicks [ Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Yes, I have the headstock fully shaped before adding the overlay. Good or bad, I don't know but it works for me.
Author:  banjopicks [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
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20210828_152845_copy_360x800.jpg


Looks like I'll need some black dye.
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Why? I like a little light colored grain in ebony. Looks more like real wood.
Author:  banjopicks [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I do too but this just looks like a mistake. I love streaky ebony.
Author:  Ken Nagy [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Are you talking about the headstock veneer? I think that the texture in that is amazing. I wouldn't want to cover that up. I certainly wouldn't do anything with the fretboard; grain is grain.
Author:  banjopicks [ Sun Aug 29, 2021 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Next step is to decide on an easy to cut inlay. I'm moving along.

Attachment:
20210829_140518_copy_360x800.jpg
Author:  banjopicks [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Not feeling very creative. I think I'll build a bridge and drill tuner holes. Maybe something will come to me after that. I could just leave it blank like I did on my banjo and wait for inspiration.
Author:  banjopicks [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
I've decided to go pro here and let the Depaule crew make it. I just ordered this.

Attachment:
Peghead Inlay6 (WC).png
Author:  SteveSmith [ Mon Aug 30, 2021 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
banjopicks wrote:
I've decided to go pro here and let the Depaule crew make it. I just ordered this.

Attachment:
Peghead Inlay6 (WC).png

Nothing wrong with that, I’ve been getting my inlays from them for at least 10 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Author:  banjopicks [ Mon Sep 06, 2021 10:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Started the fret job today. You may remember I had a terrible time with my saw blade and my frets almost drop in. I tried CA on a couple and didn't like it. I'm going with titebond and using my 16# radius sanding block as a clamping call. I can install quite a few at a time using this method.
Author:  Don Williams [ Mon Sep 06, 2021 1:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
That's Not a Banjo!

- Your fellow Rhodeyelunder.
Author:  banjopicks [ Mon Sep 06, 2021 1:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Hey Don, no I don't even play banjo anymore. Fingerpicking guitar mostly.
Author:  banjopicks [ Tue Sep 07, 2021 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
No wonder I didn't like using CA for frets. I just watched the SM video and the guy waxe the board next to the fret first. Doh! I still have some frets to do so I'll give it a try after I pick up a fresh bottle of CA. I have some nasty clean up to do from my first attempt. With my shaky hand I got glue everywhere.
Author:  SteveSmith [ Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
Wax the board. After I carefully apply the CA next to the fret I give it a second or so to fully wick in then I wipe it with a paper towel and clamp it.
Author:  banjopicks [ Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Build started
After I did this with the CA, I switched to Titebond. With my caul method of clamping a bunch of frets, I think they'll be set in there pretty good. Problem is clean up, being the the slots are sloppy I have to hold down the center of the fret to clean up the squeeze out. This is why I ordered more CA and I'm going to try the wax next to the frets before applying CA. Maybe do this before I've had 3 cups of coffee. Also, I'm thinking that if had trimmed the syringe tip a little so it would fit inside the slot, I might have less squeeze out. Obviously, I never glued in frets before because I never had to except on the occasional lifting fret.


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