The Adventure Begins ends

[rgand]

Coming right along. That's a beautiful top.

Thanks. I seem to have gotten lucky with the top. It isn't book matched, but the grain from the two pieces seem to lineup pretty good.

Sometimes I like that better than a book match. For example, look at the beautiful grain line-up in this one.

 

[JPOL007]

Coming right along. That's a beautiful top.

Thanks. I seem to have gotten lucky with the top. It isn't book matched, but the grain from the two pieces seem to lineup pretty good.

Sometimes I like that better than a book match. For example, look at the beautiful grain line-up in this one.

That is sweet...I love the grain :icon_thumright: We had to locate the center line using the end grain after the maple was sanded. I couldn't believe 180 grit sanding could do that, but the grain looked like it was one piece from the top view.

 

[rgand]

That is sweet...I love the grain :icon_thumright: We had to locate the center line using the end grain after the maple was sanded. I couldn't believe 180 grit sanding could do that, but the grain looked like it was one piece from the top view.

It's really a fine one you have there. Can't wait to see the finished guitar.

 

[JPOL007]

Well...the plan was to drum sand the body sides then rout  neck pocket and pickup cavities. Turns out we only had time enough to drum sand the body sides and rout the neck pocket. The photo from last week displaying results of using less than the sharpest blade explains needing 2 hours on the drum sander. The other hour of class time went towards the neck pocket.
Light smooth contact with the sanding head seemed to work best. Keeping the body flat on the work top is necessary to prevent beveling of the body. Using 3 different grits of sanding head finally got the sides looking good. The sides are now ready for some serious hand sanding.
The neck pocket template was used to mark where the pocket would be located. This area was then plunge cut to help with the neck pocket routing process. Double sided tape was used to hold the template in place. The template extends past the body and can flex causing pocket depth variations. We placed a block and shim under the overhang to prevent any template flexing. The neck pocket turned out really nice and the neck fits just right.
The next step is to get pickup and control cavities routed and start on contouring the top and back.

 

[JPOL007]

Took some time off…teacher out of town for a couple of weeks. Got the pickup cavities routed last week; it took the whole class time to finish. A ton of measurements and then doing a mock-up of the pickups and trem to verify the measurements were spot on. Did some plunge cutting with the drill press to make the routing process go smoother.
Last night we started routing the contour shape into the top. Used the body template and positioned it to help with the routing. Got everything roughed in and will start the sanding/blending process this evening. 

 

[rgand]

That's looking good. Are you going to shape it all by hand or use a palm sander to rough it in?

 

[JPOL007]

That's looking good. Are you going to shape it all by hand or use a palm sander to rough it in?

The plan right now is to hand sand it into submission. May palm sand some after the detailed areas are safe.

 

[rgand]

That's looking good. Are you going to shape it all by hand or use a palm sander to rough it in?

The plan right now is to hand sand it into submission. May palm sand some after the detailed areas are safe.

Sounds like a good way to safely do it.

 

[Rick]

:headbang:

 

[JPOL007]

So I spent the last 3 days sanding the RG clone body into shape. Five movies hand sanding and 4 hours with a palm sander later. It is ready to do the detailed sanding by hand. The body was sanded with 80 grit to get the sharp edges from routing; and to speed up the process. I then used 120 grit to do the rest of the sanding. Rubbed mineral oil on the body for the photos.

 

[BigSteve22]

That's some mighty fine work! Look'n really good so far. Thanks for posting all the pix, keep 'em coming!  :kewlpics:

 

[rgand]

All that sanding is sure looking good.

 

[Cagey]

Nice job! I think I'd rather take a beating than sand something like that. I run out of patience (and muscle power).

 

[JPOL007]

Thanks guys. I've never liked sanding and now I've gotten to the point of not even wanting to see sand :doh: My whole right arm is in some stage or another of being either numb or sore. I'm glad I'll never have an excuse to want another carved top guitar made by me. Flat tops for me from here on out :redflag:

 

[rgand]

I can imagine. But, time heals and you'll forget how it was and do another one. :laughing11:

 

[Rick]

When you get discouraged just keep thinking about how great it will look! :rock-on:

 

[JPOL007]

I can imagine. But, time heals and you'll forget how it was and do another one. :laughing11:

That's exactly how I ended up married 3 times. I forgot how it was with the last one :doh:

 

[JPOL007]

When you get discouraged just keep thinking about how great it will look! :rock-on:

Thanks...I am getting really nervous thinking of not screwing up the finish. Great looking would be wonderful, but I would settle for really really nice :icon_biggrin:

 

[rgand]

I can imagine. But, time heals and you'll forget how it was and do another one. :laughing11:

That's exactly how I ended up married 3 times. I forgot how it was with the last one :doh:

:laughing11:

 

[Rick]

I can imagine. But, time heals and you'll forget how it was and do another one. :laughing11:

That's exactly how I ended up married 3 times. I forgot how it was with the last one :doh:

    :laughing3: