Contouring

[Duff Beer Man]

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.

[Southpa]

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.

[axemannate]

I use a beltsander and a grinder with 40 grit sandpaper. Grinder for the tummy contour and beltsander for the arm contour.

[AlGeeEater]

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.

[unclej]

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.

[westhemann]

i also use a rasp

[thegarehanman]

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.

[Daniel Sorbera]

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.

[Mickguard]

I just did my tele with a surform --the smallest one, works in a different direction, pulling towards you. Nice tool, easy to control.

[Guitarfrenzy]

I just take a drill and chuck up a 40 grit drum sander. I can do the back contour fast this way.

[rhoads56]

i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only.

[Drak]

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.

[AlGeeEater]

i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only.

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Yeah, you wana bet?

[VanKirk]

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)

[Devon Headen]

i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only.

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Yeah, you wana bet?

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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.

[AlGeeEater]

i bet i could cut a back belly carve faster than anyone with a sander/grinder, and i'll just use a spokeshave only.

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Yeah, you wana bet?

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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.

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You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine

Edited August 7, 2005 by AlGeeEater

[rhoads56]

You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine

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Except me and a spokeshave.

[TeiscosRock]

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?

[westhemann]

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?

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i do it all the time.if it is just a small bevel,it goes quickly...

[TeiscosRock]

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?

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i do it all the time.if it is just a small bevel,it goes quickly...

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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.

[AlGeeEater]

You are 100 percent right. But, nothing beats the algee machine

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Except me and a spokeshave.

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Yeah you are probaly right.

[Drak]

Algee, you give in way too easy.

[AlGeeEater]

Algee, you give in way too easy. 

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It's not my fault I get intimidated

Edited August 8, 2005 by AlGeeEater

[Guitarfrenzy]

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

[AlGeeEater]

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

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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!