Close to the finishing line

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Guitar two pretty much caught up to the first. Binding on the soundboard came out much cleaner.  Backs were actually pretty close to the same even though one was done by hand and the other with a router. Finishing carving … Continue reading →

Heel cap

Fashioned a heel cap from scrap pieces from my rosette. Glued that in place last night. Started carving the neck early this morning.
Router is in and bits should arrive today so hopefully I can get back to the binding on number two.

Don’t fret… or do

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Guitar one fretted. Checked. Relieved the slots with a v file. Hammered (clamped in the case of the sound hole) and installed frets with a bit of white glue. Nipped the ends. Mill filed the edges. Beveled to 35 degrees … Continue reading →

Bridge building

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Where’s that confounded bridge? Working on it.  Commence bridge making sequence- Planed to dimension.  The grain in these pieces was really nice, it planed really easily.  Cut the ends square. Marked and scribed the cut lines. Cut depth of wings with … Continue reading →

Carving back braces

One down one to go.

Two soundboards all braced, some carving left to do

Tired of looking at my bracing?  I am.

Getting close.  Put on and carved the transverse bar, upper cross strut and lower V braces.  My little plane worked like a champ for shaping the bars.  I was hoping it would since it was too big to use on the fan braces.

Just glued on the lower cross struts, which are curved to about 28’ radius.  Hope to carve those, cut them back to within the perimeter and clean up any rough spots with some 220 tomorrow.  Then on to the backs or sides… backs involve bracing… maybe sides… or get them all done while I’m in brace mode?  Whatever I feel like I guess.

Soundboard progress

Today’s progress…

Laid out, fit, and glued the pads and fan braces to the second soundboard.  Carved the braces on the first.  Just a chisel seems to be the way to go and the hemlock carved really nicely.  Back hurts from hunching over and carving this morning.  Came back to finish up tonight and figured out a much better method.  I think the second one will be easier.

Heel carving

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Carved my guitar heels.  Was a bit apprehensive, but really enjoyed it.  Used the chisel for 98% of it.  Never really carved anything before, the mahogany was fun.  The laminated neck was actually easier.  The second one had a bit … Continue reading →