Tooling up

[henrim]

As I’m preparing to build a few of a same model, it’s evident I need some tools, jigs and templates to keep things consistent.

As my build called “Soapy” (since renamed “swan”) documents the guitar, I’m not going to document the builds as such but I thought I would share the tools and such I build. So here goes.

I started with some machining tools I really should have built ages ago, but never bothered.

First I did a stop piece with (optional) dial indicator for my mini lathe. 

And the next one was a vice stop for the milling machine, which simply allows me to machine several parts consecutively without having to indicate each one’s position separately.

[henrim]

I got these nice Japanese Iwasaki carving files yesterday. They bite like a rasp but they are way smoother. I’m making handles out of applewood and aluminum. One palm fitting handle ready and the other one is waiting to be filed and finished with my own carnauba and bees wax mix.

It remains to be seen how well they work in neck shaping but with my limited experience they are super!

[henrim]

For the last quarter century I have been using almost only Japanese hand saws but, while I absolutely love them, there are places where a decent modern western saw is called for. These are Veritas rip and cross cut saws.

[henrim]

I made an insert with a ridge to my oscillating spindle sander. The idea is to be able use the sander with templates. What I didn’t take into account was that obviously the spindle is not centered very well. So that insert may not work as well as thought it would.

The other option would be to put a spacer with a bearing under the sander roll. That wouldn’t be affected by the off-center axle. And the template would be the same size as the item it is used to sand.

Oh well. I kinda liked this insert approach better. Felt like less hassle. I have to see if the spindle can be adjusted but I guess it is a pain to indicate it to center. 

[henrim]

How convenient. That was it for tonight. I’ll have to see tomorrow if I can source a 1/2” bearing locally or if I have to order it online. I have many sizes in the garage but all metric.

[henrim]

Nah, that bearing approach is trickier than I thought. The spindle goes so deep in to the body that I should replace the cast iron table with thinner board for that to work. Cast iron table was the reason to buy that particular sander, so maybe not. I think the first approach is ok if I just keep mind I need to sand on a specific spot. I'll see. 

[henrim]

I made two sanding beams. These are repurposed from a table structure I made years ago. The smaller one was milled flat, but the bigger one was too long for my machine so I sanded it flat on a piece of glass. Of course there is the age old question how flat is flat, but I’d think these are reasonably flat.