ZoSo_Spencer Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 there is two types of bits you can use to cut the body to the template. 1 - bit with bearing on top of cutter for use with a router in a table (flush trim bit) 2 - bit with bearing in between shank and cutter for use with a hand held router(pattern following bit) Looking good algee... those templates look better than my tele lol... prolly play better too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 loudandproud- I will be using a "template" bit. Basically, I'll double stick tape and clamp the template to the body, and use the router with a template bit which is just what ZoSo_Spencer said. I'll then flip the body over and use the flush trim bit to get the excess(my template bit isnt long enough, oh well!). Yeah the templates are nice, I love them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 I cleaned up the body today. Just a few little bits of tear out on the edges, nothing which cant be fixed in the finishing stages though I also chipped my template and the body a bit when the clamp moved on me when I was routing. Again, nothing that cant be fixed Tomr I plan to route the truss rod channel, cut the neck out, glue on the fretboard and sand the body a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TenderSurrender Posted January 12, 2006 Report Share Posted January 12, 2006 Definitly starting to take shape dude! Looking real good Algee, ~~ TS ~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 Thanks! I should have the truss rod routed out tomr., the neck cavity, the neck cut out/shaped and possibly the fretboard glued on. I just got a Robo-Sander today, put it in my drill press and it wobbles like hell. Is this normal? I mean, none of my drill bits wobble or anything, hell I even put one of my router bits in there. Any ideas guys?? All help is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted January 13, 2006 Report Share Posted January 13, 2006 Any ideas guys?? All help is appreciated! Wrong shank size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Any ideas guys?? All help is appreciated! Wrong shank size? Well, I was thinking that the shank on the Robo-Sander was machined wrong, or i'm doing something wrong. Maybe it's my drill press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 OK, I worked out the problems with the Robo-Sander. I sent an e-mail to Ken Picou(the creator of the Robo-Sander and the Luthiers Friend Sanding station) and it turns out I was just running it TOO slow, so it wobbled. I was running my drill press at 590 RPM, but I moved the belt up and now it's running at 1390 RPM no problems I've also been fooling around with my fret press in my drill press too on a scrap board. Man, fretting is pretty simple using a press OK question: I'm not going with a neck angle because I want to recess my TOM. Now, should I route the neck pocket out (5/8"), cut the neck out, glue the fretboard on and THEN do my fullsize drawing to calculate the depth of the recess? Or should I try and figure that out before doing anymore work. (I've searched, but I couldnt really find anything on the order of steps. I assume it wouldnt really matter as long as everything is correct?). Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javacody Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I've got zero experience in this area, but the saying goes "measure twice, cut once". I would draw it out first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I've got zero experience in this area, but the saying goes "measure twice, cut once". I would draw it out first. I am. I have all the measurements(minus the bridge) so I believe I can do it. I'm actually doing all of this in a geometry program from a few years ago at school Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 OK, I just measured everything, and I believe i'm going to have to recess the bridge 3/16". Can anybody check this for me? Specs: neck pocket depth: 5/8" neck thickness w/ fretboard: 15/16" fret height: .048" (not counting after levelling the frets) bridge height: .59" (or 19/32) <~Just a rough estimation because I dont have the bridge. I used stew-mac and added up the sizes w/ the posts and such. If anyone can double check that for me i'd appreciate it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I've also been fooling around with my fret press in my drill press too on a scrap board. Man, fretting is pretty simple using a press Thanks Which fret press did you get? Just the caul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 I got the fret press caul and 4 inserts. I dont need to get the whole arbor thing, it's a waste of money if you gotta drill press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughes Posted January 14, 2006 Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 looking good dude, cant wait to see more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2006 Well I just spent 2 hours in the garage routing, in the cold, dark plus the raining outside. Got the truss rod routed for, started the neck pocket. I need to make a copy of the neck pocket on the template though, all my bits are too big and the template is too skiny. OK, since I have ALL day tomr to work on this I will cut the neck out, install the truss rod, glue on the fretboard, finish the neck pocket and route out the control cavity. I just hope it's not as cold as they say it's gunna be tomr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2006 (edited) OK, today I got the neck cut out, and am in the process of using the Robo Sander to bring it flush to the template. Basically I am just using the Robo-Sander as of now to get pretty close to the line. Then i'll double stick tape the template on, match the centerlines and bring it flush to the template. No burns, tear out or chips with the Robo-Sander It' just me, the Robo-Sander, the 21 degree weather and the cold garage floor. I hope I dont get sick! Here's the neck rough cut out: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/AlG...er/DSC01923.jpg I changed the "AlGee-Stock" a bit with the help of my friends at UG. I didnt change it in that pic, but you guys will see it. I'm off to my Grandpa's for his birthday. When I get back I hope to get the neck flush, drill the tuner holes, and maybe route the neck pocket (still ) Edited January 15, 2006 by AlGeeEater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughes Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 looking really good, keep up the good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Thanks! Anyways, I just finished cleaning up the neck and headstock. The headstock will need a lot of hand sanding though. I didnt have a template, and just went at it by hand with the Robo-Sander. Here's the new and improved "AlGee-Stock" headstock, I really like it!! I think it will flow nice with the body http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/AlG...er/DSC01942.jpg I'm off to finish the neck pocket now, and route the truss rod a little bit deeper. Then possibly i'll glue on the fretboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughes Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 heh i wish i had my own tools instead of bumming them off my school some day ill break down and buy some essential stuff..........but yeah i cant wait to see this done, i know youve been waiting a while Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Looking great AlGeeEater!! Looks like your really making some good progress. The Robo-Sander is slower, but really works great on the neck, headstock area, etc. where tearout is worse. Keep up the good work. Matt Vinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hughes-Yeah, having your own tools and workshop is great! You know exactly where everything is, and you dont have to waste 5 minutes looking for a tool or anything, it's great. Guitar Frenzy- Yeah the Robo-Sander is nice. No burn out, tear out, ect. Plus it gets you right to the template with a pretty smooth sanded surface(granted i'm using the 80 grit sleeve, but I can still sand it with 100 or 150 on the random orbital). I just finished routing the neck pocket out a few hours ago. I routed it to 5/8 deep using the template bit and did shallow passes and it came out perfect: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/AlG...er/DSC01944.jpg The after my lunch break I started working on getting the heel to fit into the neck pocket. I just used 150 grit sandpaper on my random orbital and kept it moving not stopping in one spot, or letting the sandpaper cut in anywhere. I got a pretty good fit: Except, I have to mod the neck pocket. The bearing on my bit was too big for the rounded edge corners, so my neck doesnt sit flush with the back of the neck pocket: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v460/AlG...er/DSC01951.jpg I'll just use some sandpaper or a file to bring the corners in and it will be perfect. I'm probaly going to study for my exam tomr for a few hours, then possibly glue in the fretboard after routing the truss rod channel deeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoSo_Spencer Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 (edited) my god.... this is going to be a nice tele... the headstock looks great aswell.. cant wait to see some more pics.. Edited January 16, 2006 by ZoSo_Spencer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlGeeEater Posted January 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Thanks a lot! 3-Day weekends rock man, i've made a ton of progress in just 3 days, i'm off to study know though, damn exams. Here's a full pic so you can get an idea of the body with the headstock. I probaly wont update this thread until thursday afternoon, my last exam is on thursday. Plus then I have friday off and another 3 day weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 I like the headstock - it looks like a horses head. Looks like nice work all round; keep it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted January 16, 2006 Report Share Posted January 16, 2006 Now that's what a tele headstock SHOULD have looked like all along. Especially given the country music that tends to get played out of 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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