JGTay Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I have been asked to make a Flying V style guitar, which incorporates a band logo. Started ordering parts a few days ago and the wood has arrived today. It will be a Sapele neck through with body wings out of Ash and a Panga Panga fretboard. Spent the day yesterday cleaning out the workshop ready for a mess to be made again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Full scale mock up out of cardboard... there will be bevelled edges and the points will not be so pointy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted May 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 Busy working everything out, done some cuts on the neck through and going to sink the bridge/back area. Waiting on the delivery of my shinto saw rasp and should hopefully be able to post some pics soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted May 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2020 First stages, marking out. Fretboard marked ready for cutting the slots Neck also marked out, hard to see in the pics... Headstock angle marked at 15 degrees and then cut Sunken area part way through chisel work Hopefully the Shinto arrives tomorrow and I can get on with the next bits... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted May 31, 2020 Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Shintos are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Looking forward to trying one, have to wait a bit longer as the Amazon delivery was lost on the way... had to request a refund and reorder it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted May 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2020 Yesterday and todays progress. After cleaning up the cuts on the jointing area, got the headstock glued in place Once it had dried, started marking out for the truss rod and scored it all the way round with a Stanley knife and then went over them with a chisel edge. Then started chiselling out... Nice clean cut Tested in place Sanded the top up to 320 grit and clean it up, then tested again Checked the level from bridge to nut, bridge is slightly lower and will be spot on when on the posts And final thing today was testing positions of the controls. Hardware will be chrome, but some items haven't arrived yet (control knobs yet to be decided on) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizman62 Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 10 hours ago, JGTay said: Once it had dried, started marking out for the truss rod and scored it all the way round with a Stanley knife and then went over them with a chisel edge. Now that was an eye opener for me! Until now I've only seen the truss rod channel done with a router, the variations being whether you'd use an oversize template with a guide bushing, an external guiding fence or run the guide against the side of the neck block. I've also heard about router planes as the ancient tool. Despite having cleaned the routed channel with chisels using them for the actual carving has never been an option to me, yet it's the most obvious way to do it by hand. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADFinlayson Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Nice to see someone else with the same tools, I've got that same metre rule, tenon saw and mini screwfix f clamps. Goes to show you don't need the worlds best tools to get good results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu. Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 3 hours ago, ADFinlayson said: Nice to see someone else with the same tools, I've got that same metre rule, tenon saw and mini screwfix f clamps. Goes to show you don't need the worlds best tools to get good results I don't want to derail, but I really like the Magnusson tool line! I know they're still entry level tools from Kingfisher, but they're very solid for the money; just having a nicer handle makes it feel less like a disposable tool. The 200x80mm F-clamps are only £6 and so much better than Silverline for practically the same money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 37 minutes ago, Stu. said: I don't want to derail, but I really like the Magnusson tool line! No worries, always good to know what tools other people use and recommend. I have just ordered some Clarke 500mm f clamps, waiting for confirmation for collection. I have made do with the tools that I have to hand up until now, but the V is too wide for my current ones (and previous builds I have done some interesting clamping ) Also buying a shinto was because so many other forum members use them and they come highly recommended. I also took the step of buying a proper fret saw (which has just been used for the first time), have been making do with a fine tooth hacksaw previously, but the kerf was still too wide and left the frets slightly too slack for my liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 7 hours ago, Bizman62 said: Despite having cleaned the routed channel with chisels using them for the actual carving has never been an option to me, yet it's the most obvious way to do it by hand. Thanks! That is one of the reasons I like this forum so much, seeing how other members take on different tasks really helps and gives us all new ideas 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Exactly. There's no one way to do anything in most cases, just a different set of circumstances and available options. Apt decision making is most of the battle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayT Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Great start! I'll be using your method for an angled headstock- I was leaning towards using my tablesaw but this way seems more up my alley. Question, I'm guessing the band logo will go in the circle -- is it going to be relief carved, painted, or something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu. Posted June 1, 2020 Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 1 hour ago, JGTay said: No worries, always good to know what tools other people use and recommend. I have just ordered some Clarke 500mm f clamps, waiting for confirmation for collection. I have made do with the tools that I have to hand up until now, but the V is too wide for my current ones (and previous builds I have done some interesting clamping ) Also buying a shinto was because so many other forum members use them and they come highly recommended. I also took the step of buying a proper fret saw (which has just been used for the first time), have been making do with a fine tooth hacksaw previously, but the kerf was still too wide and left the frets slightly too slack for my liking. The Shinto is another great tool. If it's good enough for Paul Sellers, it's good enough for us mere mortals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 22 minutes ago, JayT said: Question, I'm guessing the band logo will go in the circle -- is it going to be relief carved, painted, or something else? Yes, the circle area is for their logo, I am going to use a water slide decal with enough clear coat to hide the edging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2020 Today started with cutting the fret slots with my newly purchased fret saw... makes such a big difference using the correct tools for the job Then in with the truss rod, knocked 2 pin nails in top and bottom and snipped the tops off. Then lined up the fretboard on top of the nails and pressed down hard to make indentations of the postions small drill bit used on the marks And pressed down fully into position, flat all the way. Put some masking tape over the top of the truss rod, cut close to the truss rod and then lightly sanded over the top of the tape with 800 grit to make sure of no edges on with the glue, spread thinly with a piece of card and fretboard clamped in place. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2020 First use of a power tool on this project today, the jigsaw came out to do the initial trim down of the neck. Jigsaw away again, out with the files to take it a bit closer to the lines and levelled off Then onto the back with a rasp to do some shaping needs a lot more yet, but was still waiting on the Shinto... Which finally arrived tonight should be quicker on the shaping tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2020 Yesterday and todays progress... Finally got to use a Shinto :) shaping of the neck definitely speeded up. Most of the way there, but wanted to get the fretboard radius completed before the final levelling of the neck Rough shape of the headstock drawn in, not the final shape yet, just a cutting reference and the correct position for the machine heads Test fit to make sure everything is okay Then it was onto the fretboard markers. Made up a test piece out of one of the fretboard offcuts with some options. Marked and drilled the positions, but the 21st fret drill drifted and had to be filled, only problem doing it freehand, a drill press would be handy for this ;) Will redo the 21st fret one in the morning before the next steps. Also made a start on shaping the volute, but no pics yet as it was getting late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 Some updates from the past couple of days. Fretboard markers in place 10" fretboard Radius complete, up to 5000 grit. would like to try micro mesh as I have seen results from others and it seems to make a big difference... Neck pickup cavity was next on the list, out with the chisels Tried with the pickup and needed a bit more depth Finally there, needs a bit of clean up. Enough room for adjustment. May go slightly deeper, but that can wait for tonight 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 Started the day with the bridge pickup cavity. Marked around with a Stanley knife and then out with the chisels again Slowly getting there... And done. Tested clearance with the pickups in And with the spare pickup rings, still waiting on the silver ones. 10mm holes done for wiring access Next up was the shaping of the headstock and some more work on the volute, almost there but getting late and needed to down tools for the day. Testing with the machine heads Pleased with how it is coming along, should be able to finish the neck profile tomorrow and then get onto the wings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizman62 Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 That headstock is very organic looking, almost like it was grown that way and you've just peeled the bark off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 Got on with the neck profile today. Approx. 20mm at the first fret and 22mm at the 12th fret, really need to get hold of a vernier caliper... Also finished shaping the volute. Hopefully can get the frets in tomorrow and then on with the wings 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 On 6/7/2020 at 7:21 PM, Bizman62 said: That headstock is very organic looking, almost like it was grown that way and you've just peeled the bark off! Thanks Bizman, very happy with how it looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGTay Posted June 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2020 Started with the frets today. Hammered in place. Snipped both sides and then filed level on the right side And then the left side. Haven't done the fret level and crown yet, will do that once the body is done. Cut the first wing out and then put some nail pins in the side and snipped the heads off. Pressed down on the wing to get the positions and drilled. Then did the wiring access.... last pin hole almost lost, but enough there to position the wing when gluing. First wing being glued in place, made sure to leave excess on the wing when cutting and also did some steps for clamping, but the underside of the cut with the jigsaw got very close. Luckily it didn't go over Will cut the second wing tomorrow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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