LGM Guitars Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 Hey everyone, I've been spending 8 to 10 hours a day in the shop lately, and here's some of the stuff I've been working on. The first pics here are an inlay for a custom 7 string built by Scott Heatley from Vancouver, he sent me the neck, and he sent Darren (ATD) the body. When I saw the body, I talked with the owner of the guitar about the inlay. Originally he had wanted a JEM style vine, but I said the swirl looked like water, so we went with the aquatic theme. Quite a departure from a vine huh? The materials are Dolphins: White and Gold MOP Water: Paua Rim Abalone Setting sun: Red Heart Abalone Birds: pink select paua Clouds: figured MOP water drops: Paua Rim Abalone Currently the black on the dolphins is just ink drawn on, but it will be engraved of course once inlayed You can see how physically tiny the birds are with the exacto blade Next are a couple bodies I'm working on, the first is a left hand 7 string JPM P1 graphic. Next is a Skulls and flames graphic, I cut a skull stencil for the skulls, cut the flames freehand in frisket film, then sprayed a transparent green over them, the whole thing is cleared with a gold pearl clear. It will also be getting green flame inlays on the neck Well, that's all the pics for now, I'll update as things progress Quote
Guitarfrenzy Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 Very nice work LGM. Just curious what your technique was for cutting those out. I figured you used a V block and jewelers saw to cut them out, but was just wondering if you could give us some tips on doing that. I was also wondering about the engraving part you suggested, guess I've never heard of that before. I just thought you cut it out and let the fretboard be the dark part of the drawings or can it not be done this way? Anyway, great job on the inlay work!!!! Matt Quote
mullmuzzler Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 You are truly devoted, aren't you? mullmuzzler | OSSMT Quote
mullmuzzler Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 BTW, why are pics half-positive half-negative? I can't seem to open them correctly. Is it me or does anyone else has such a problem? mullmuzzler | OSSMT Quote
Jehle Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 Nice work as usual. How in the world were you able to make such tiny birdies? Quote
budman68 Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 LGM, as always, I'm so impressed with your artistic ability. I strive to be as good as craftsmen such as yourself. I also would like to know YOUR technique on engraving. Do you use the standard graving tools or do you have a different way to aproach these details? Just beautiful bud, Dave-> Quote
canuckguitarist Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 OMG JEREMY! That inlay is awesome!!! Quote
daveq Posted October 9, 2003 Report Posted October 9, 2003 How are the lines for the mouth and eyes done? Are they cuts, or grooves filled with something? Very nice. Quote
LGM Guitars Posted October 9, 2003 Author Report Posted October 9, 2003 Very nice work LGM. Just curious what your technique was for cutting those out. I figured you used a V block and jewelers saw to cut them out, but was just wondering if you could give us some tips on doing that. I was also wondering about the engraving part you suggested, guess I've never heard of that before. I just thought you cut it out and let the fretboard be the dark part of the drawings or can it not be done this way? Anyway, great job on the inlay work!!!! Matt Hey everyone, glad you are enjoying the pics The shell is primarily cut with a Grobets swiss jewellers saw and #3/0 blades. All by hand. However, I did buy a scroll saw (a very good one is needed or you'll just snap blades) to cut some of the larger pieces. The inlay blades fit in the holders fine and you can cut with the scroll saw but you have to be extremely careful not to let the piece lift or you snap blades like crazy. Also, if it's not a very good very smooth scroll saw it will vibrate and bounce like mad. The birds were cut with the jewellers saw by hand, same with the water droplets. The black lines for the mouth and eyes are just drawn in with ink right now, but they will be engraved and filled with a black epoxy. The egraving can be done a couple of ways, you can buy actual graver's, they are like itty bitty micro chisels, or you can power engrave. I have a diamond engraving bit that I use, however that can be really tricky, for nice straight, or even curvy lines, i suggest using a graver, they can get away from you quick, but they can also be a little easier to use smoothly. Quote
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