Duff Beer Man Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I know spokeshaves are usally used but anyone else find any other tools that really work good for contouring the back and arm rest? Im about to tackle mine with a surform and some files. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I use steel rasps (flat, halfmoon and round) for the initial shaping then a quick run over with a palm sander (100 grit) and finish by hand with lighter grits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axemannate Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I use a beltsander and a grinder with 40 grit sandpaper. Grinder for the tummy contour and beltsander for the arm contour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I use a 5" Random Orbit Sander with 60 grit sandpaper. Then I go to 100 grit to finish shaping. THEN(lol) I got to 200 for smoothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclej Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 i start my contours with my band saw. i set it at 45 degrees and cut the basic shape that i'm trying to achieve. then the belt sander and then the random orbital sander..i'm not really a spoke shave kinda guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 i also use a rasp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegarehanman Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I use a router and a 3/8" bit to waste as much of the wood as I can. I set the router progressively shallower as I'm moving inward. Then I use a dremel with a flex shaft and a foredom teardrop shaping bit to get my final shape. Drak uses a flap disk on an angle grinder; I think I'll try that next time I need to do a carve to see if it's any faster than my method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 Thers many diffrent ways that all work well but prety much the fastest way is either a grinder or a belt sander with like a 38 grit belt on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted August 6, 2005 Report Share Posted August 6, 2005 I just did my tele with a surform --the smallest one, works in a different direction, pulling towards you. Nice tool, easy to control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 I just take a drill and chuck up a 40 grit drum sander. I can do the back contour fast this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 Yup. I used to use my portable belt sander, but to do it that way, I would have to flip the body upside down and I couldn't really see what was going on while it was sanding, besides getting backblows of sawdust in my eyes and face, I had to go slow and really carefully. This thing is the shizzle-dizzle, it is almost mind-wrenchingly easy now. This is my new favorite tool of the year, hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only. ← Yeah, you wana bet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanKirk Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 I use a rasp then finish with adhesive-backed sandpaper stuck to the side of a coffee cup. I use the coffee cup for the sides of the body too since it's just the right contour. It's ghetto I know but it works for me in my limited space. (that'll change since I've just signed for a new house with a shop yesterday) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only. ← Yeah, you wana bet? ← I'd take the bet. I'm with Perry on this one. If you learn how to use cutting tools, in my mind they are FAR superior to abrasive tools. A well set up spokeshave can take out a belly contour in no time flat with hardly any chance of screwing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 (edited) i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only. ← Yeah, you wana bet? ← I'd take the bet. I'm with Perry on this one. If you learn how to use cutting tools, in my mind they are FAR superior to abrasive tools. A well set up spokeshave can take out a belly contour in no time flat with hardly any chance of screwing up. ← You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine Edited August 7, 2005 by AlGeeEater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhoads56 Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine ← Except me and a spokeshave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I suppose this might be a little of the main topic, but how hard would it be to bevel the edges of a guitar with rasps and sanding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I suppose this might be a little of the main topic, but how hard would it be to bevel the edges of a guitar with rasps and sanding? ← i do it all the time.if it is just a small bevel,it goes quickly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeiscosRock Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I suppose this might be a little of the main topic, but how hard would it be to bevel the edges of a guitar with rasps and sanding? ← i do it all the time.if it is just a small bevel,it goes quickly... ← Alright. I was just curious, because on the project I mentioned in my "Adding a maple top" thread, I'm planning on using an edge bevel to smooth out the transition from the original body to the maple top, rather than try and removing the edge contour that's already there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine ← Except me and a spokeshave. ← Yeah you are probaly right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Algee, you give in way too easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 (edited) Algee, you give in way too easy. ← It's not my fault I get intimidated Edited August 8, 2005 by AlGeeEater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Ah AlGee, I thought you was going to enter the Project Guitar 2005 Contour Carving Contest this year. Man you let us all down.. haha There are tons of ways to get the job done, some faster than others, but as long as it works for you and you get the results your looking for, then that's all that really matters. You could probably carve a guitar with a weed eater for heavens sake.. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Ah AlGee, I thought you was going to enter the Project Guitar 2005 Contour Carving Contest this year. Man you let us all down.. haha There are tons of ways to get the job done, some faster than others, but as long as it works for you and you get the results your looking for, then that's all that really matters. You could probably carve a guitar with a weed eater for heavens sake.. lol ← Hell if there's one, sign me up! I love competition I agree, as long as YOU are happy with the end result, well it doesn't really matter if you use power tools or hand tools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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