charisjapan Posted July 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2017 Made a jig to cut the brass tubing to 7mm, then cleaned them up using a little dowel chucked into a cordless drill. Made 12 of these ... need 10, but who knows. Next used the "plug-cutter bit" I made ... it works, after a fashion. Found if I didn't clean it out ever millimeter, it would start burning, then found that if I drilled right next to a previous hole, it would work a lot better. Will make about 20 of these tomorrow, and choose which ones look best. Next up is the side markers ... 3mm brass tubing with Padauk center. IF I can make a plug 2mm in diameter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted July 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Was going to have the "dots" go through the fretboard, but the potential for disaster seemed great, so remade 12 3.5mm deep top dots, and started testing on side markers. Also tested a 30-degree hole for the markers ... to make an oval "dot" ... looked cool, but the logistics were beyond me. (sorry, no pic just now) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Side markers. Probably made 20 ... this is what is NOT somewhere behind something in my shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 27, 2017 Report Share Posted July 27, 2017 I think the final dots are going to be very effective Interesting to see the development of your techniques. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted July 28, 2017 Report Share Posted July 28, 2017 Losing them around the shop is called, "building stock". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted July 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2017 Thought I had done enough domestic stuff to keep Mrs.Charisjapan appeased for a while ... but alas, I apparently made a LOT of promises that I put in the "Later" box. Not trying to be sexist or anything, but doesn't it sometimes seem that wives have better memory for such things?! But in between chores, I was able to prep the neck for the fretboard. Carbon fiber rods are epoxied in, and also the "HotRod" truss rod. The two brass ends of the rod were about 1mm above the rod itself, and I just so happened to have some 1mm strips of Padauk, so used gel super glue to hold in place, then sanded everything down to flat. I know it wasn't a required step, but it looks nice, and will have just a bit more adhesion surface for the fretboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Gonna have to take a little break from the build ... hoping only a short one. The other day I found myself having to choose between falling with a ladder, or jumping off it. Neither boded well, as I was about 10 feet (2.5 meters) off the ground at the time, but experience tells me that the complications of a runaway ladder (a 32-foot ladder extended to about 25 feet) outweigh the jump. I landed pretty good, and the ladder didn't fall on me (or anyone else! I was beside a busy public sidewalk and road), but my right foot has a bit of pain under the heel. The doctor took X-rays and a CT-scan, both negative, but he put me in a wrap-on half-cast and told me to come in next Tuesday. If it's "just" a bad sprain, it'll just take some time and care ... but if it's still bad, next is an MRI to look for a micro-fracture. Apparently, you don't want one of those. So posting my dumb circus act on Facebook, and posting a pic of a cheapo aluminum and plastic cane I bought (live on third floor, no elevator, crutches were scary!), @Barnaby wrote that I was probably thinking about carving a wood handle ... so I took it as a challenge! I was also inspired by @Freddy G 's latest build video to use rasps and scrapers for something other than a neck build. I also used a drum sander and drill press. It was a snap to bore an 18mm hole on a block of wood, but a lot more complicated to make a corresponding peg! Learned a lot about joints today. Btw, this is the same Mountain Cherry as the neck in the Chinaberry bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Still waiting for MRI results, but ankle feels fine. Hoping to get the doctor's okay next Tuesday. Meantime, after giving the cane a recarve ( ), I've become very good at fast-hobbling. Was able to get down to the shop a bit today, as well as do some sit-down work. Started to make a headstock template for Mount Fuji. Last time with the Chinaberry bass, I just freehanded with the trimmer/router. This time I want to replicate it at least once, so need something a 10mm bearing bit would follow ... meaning a smoother "snowcap" line. I also cut out a couple blocks of the White Limba for "snow." Next was locating the fretboard dots, and made a little test piece to make sure the brass would fit in the hole made with a 6mm bit I finally found. (Forstner bits are uncommon in Japan) Tight fit, but it cut the Wenge nicely ... happy puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Those handles came out nice. Too bad the inspiration to make them occurred. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 Crikey. Well, I hope you don't have those microfractures....how come they're so bad compared to a "normal" fracture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 22 minutes ago, Prostheta said: Crikey. Well, I hope you don't have those microfractures....how come they're so bad compared to a "normal" fracture? I'm no expert, but undetected (or ignored) a micro-fracture flexes while healing, which often causes trouble later in life. A good friend said that they were having arthritis-like trouble 30 years after a similar situation. Honestly, I think the doctor is just playing it safe, and Mrs. Charisjapan is on his side ... I'm outvoted! Icing, elevation, and no strain ... is driving me nuts!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 10, 2017 Report Share Posted August 10, 2017 I wonder if that's what I did to my left big toe then....back when I was learning Muay Thai I did a push kick on banana boy (we all had nicknames....) and my big toe made a big snapping sound against his knee. Since then its been somewhat problematic and occasionally pretty painful. Especially when it's cold or I have a bit of a bug that makes you more sensitive than normal. Well, see this time lost as time investing in not being in pain later on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 A little progress on the fretboard, drilled the "dot" holes, and locator pin holes under 3rd and 21st fret markers. Gotta say, Wenge sure can make even a nice bit wander! I think they're lined up and centered reasonably well. Was doing a lot of other standing work today, so this was about my limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 15 hours ago, Prostheta said: I wonder if that's what I did to my left big toe then....back when I was learning Muay Thai I did a push kick on banana boy (we all had nicknames....) and my big toe made a big snapping sound against his knee. Since then its been somewhat problematic and occasionally pretty painful. Especially when it's cold or I have a bit of a bug that makes you more sensitive than normal. Well, see this time lost as time investing in not being in pain later on! Hey Prostheta, Indeed, it's worth taking care of an injury . AND, you have to be careful about "collateral" injury ... hurting one ankle makes you walk weird on the other ankle, which HAS to be fixed! I hurt my left ankle riding my motorcycle, ignored it for a year, then took about a year of doctor visits and physical therapy to get the limp out of hips, knees and ankles. You bet I'm gonna do it right this time!! But ... Kick Boxing?! You be careful of knuckles, toes, and just about everywhere you used to hit someone else ... sez the guy that is now paying for shoto-kan karate some 40 years back, as well as 35 years of construction work. Folks say that being old is not fun, but getting there sure was!! My personal bane is wet winter days and just before a typhoon hits in the summer ... my body is more accurate than the National Weather Service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 11, 2017 Report Share Posted August 11, 2017 Kickboxing is a watered-down coffee-shop derivative. Yeah, my back and knees are pretty much shot up. I should perhaps lose a few kgs to lessen the load on them, however like everybody I am great at finding excuses not to do this. MT did however do me a lot of good in strengthening my back muscles, plus our teacher's performance trainer helped me strengthen the weird muscles under my knee which are very difficult to maintain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 I did mention this was a bolt-on, right? I've really got to think about workflow ... ! I just realized I need to have the neck heel finished before I can rout the neck pocket, and I need the neck pocket finished in order to locate the bolt holes ... I don't really have a template for any of those. A bit embarrassed about not thinking this through until now, but less embarrassed than I'd be had I glued the fretboard on! This guitar was originally supposed to be a test mule of sorts, but I have become attached to it ( ), and want to make it nice. My Odie's Oil arrived! ... in Hawaii . Now I have to wait until early October before I can go there and bring it back. But it's okay, as at this rate, I won't be ready to finish anything until then! Added two more locator pins, so under markers 3, 9, 12, and 21 ... this puppy ain't shifting anywhere! Chopped the heel end next will add a 3mm radius ... don't want it too sharp. Tomorrow I get MRI results ... hoping to get a thumbs up and back to work and hobby. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 These puzzles have a great way of making you develop better work ordering. Every guitar and builder are different, and personally I enjoy picking apart these Gordian knots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 14, 2017 Report Share Posted August 14, 2017 Good luck with the MRI. Remember that we're in short supply of helium on the planet, and that's what make these fab superconductors tick. This gives you 100% right to scowl at adults buying helium balloons for their children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 Goodbye, crutches and cane! The doctor said, "Congratulations," as I walked into his office. No micro-fracture, but a small sliver fracture and a couple torn ligaments. In other words, a bad sprain, which means I have to "take it easy" for another month. This phrase is kinda relative, IMO, but will not jump off ladders for a while. It is so nice to wear a PAIR of shoes! Mrs. CJ is happy ( ) that the diagnosis included the word "fracture" (only a few millimeters), as that means my supplementary insurance covers everything. While taking it easy, I had some shop time to trim the fretboard to size, finish the heel, and mess around with the headstock step. It's bit deeper than ideal, but after thinning and radiusing the fretboard, break angle should be enough to forego any kind of string tee. As shown, I used some 3M Stickit wrapped around a 12mm dowel to shape the step ... and will probably use a 15mm dowel for final shaping. A bit more tidying up to do after I make the "snowcap," then on to the neck carve! As you can see, the Padauk/Wenge binding turned out to be 1mm/1.5mm ... can't wait to see what it looks like with frets and fret markers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 16, 2017 Report Share Posted August 16, 2017 And the repair is basically invisible. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 Put together a template for routing the neck pocket, and to give me a visualization of bridge location. Will first rout the pocket and drill the bolt holes, intonate with E and e strings, then finalize the bridge location and string-through holes. Bit by bit ... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 18, 2017 Report Share Posted August 18, 2017 Nothing to add, other than "yep, that's how it's done". But you know that. How's the injury holding up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 Hogged out some of the pocket before routing. Am I the only one that just loves the look, feel and (even) the smell of fresh cuttings/shavings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 Set up the template and started routing. Man! Limba is smooth stuff. I do imagine that it will ding easily, but this is not a collector's piece ... except for me. I plan on ccollecting dings!! Still have to use a 3mm radius chisel on the back corners of the pocket, but it looks right. The fit is not tight like the tenon in a set-neck, just enough that it drops right in, and should be snug after Odie's Oil on both neck and pocket. I may have to go down another 0.5mm ... or not. I'll find out after I drill the bolt holes and set the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisjapan Posted August 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2017 20 hours ago, Prostheta said: Nothing to add, other than "yep, that's how it's done". But you know that. How's the injury holding up? No, I didn't know that from personal experience until now! Was frettin' up a storm (pun intended ). I'm doing okay, but finding out that I landed on both feet, and both are a bit beat up. I kind of expected that, but now that I'm moving around, I can tell you I don't want to jump off a ladder again! But this evening we had a pretty bad storm pass through, and have a leak. Which means I have to extend my ladder to full 34' extension (11 meters!) and check out the gutters. At least, I hope it's just the gutters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.