spottydog

Hi guys,

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted an update on my build, my only excuse is that I have been busy with other projects for other people. I was not happy with the fret board I made so I took it off the neck and have made a totally new fret board. I have now got a new fretting saw a Zona 35-380 Dovetail Razor Saw with 18 TPI and a kerf of 0.20" it is very sharp and ideal for the fret wire I use. It is much more accurate than my old saw. I have also got myself a dual faced hammer. In fact the one I have has four interchangeable heads and came from Homebase. I think it was around £7 but it is a brilliant hammer for fretting, much more positive and accurate than the rubber hammer I have used previously. I have now started to cut the neck joint and pick up cavities. so we are slowly getting there.

Hi, prostheta the thor hammer sounds a great idea. I use a rubber hammer at present is the thor better than this and also do you need the hard and soft side as I have seen the hammers with two soft sides would these be ok for fretting. Many thanks 

Now got frets sorted and fretboard fixed to neck. Now onto shaping back of neck. 

many thanks that has helped also slightly bending the ends of the frets so that they sit closer to the fretboard. does anyone glue the frets in. I never have but am wondering if I should as some of the frets keep coming out.

I have started to fret the fretboard but I am having a problem with the frets not sitting flat and sticking up at the ends. The radius is 12" and the fret wire is pre formed and cut. I have tried the frets against the fretboard and the radius of both matches and when the frets are placed against the fretboard they sit correctly. I have checked the slots and they are deep enough. Many thanks. 

The new piece is now in and sanded and looks good. Here is a pic of body after attacking it with an electric plane to thin it out prior to sanding. I had to take about half the thickness to get it correct with the neck. 

Many thanks for encouraging words sometimes you think your the only one who makes mistakes and has to start again. Pic shows area replaced prior to sanding. I cut the f hole with a jigsaw. The only problem was the jigsaw was cutting deeper than the body making it impossible to cut the f hole. I solved this by using double side tape to stick a Cork sanding block to the jigsaw sole plate. It was then a simple matter of cutting the hole out. I hope this will be of help to someone who is struggling with a similar problem. 

Discovered a problem with my guitar body. where I had carved for the pot holes I carved the wood to thin so I have had to take the wood out to replace it and am waiting to re carve the top. I have also discovered that the body at the "block" position is to thick so I will need to rectify this as well. I guess that's the advantage of building yourself you can sort problems out as you come to them.

My fretboard made from a 20mm piece of table top cutc in half and sanded flat to 8mm for the board. I will also stain it dark brown after I cut the fret slots. 

Not sure what I'll do. Put up with the dust and wear a mask at present. Guitar neck shaped and ready to rout for truss rod. 

A quick question in your videos you use a roll of clothes when finishing your guitar and I wondered what brand/kind they are as all clothes I can get in a roll all end up going fluffy after a bit. Many thanks 

Checked out vids and can recommend them to first time builders. They are very good. The pick guard cover is very cool and the shine on the tele is impressive. Keep up the good work look forward to seeing finished guitar. 

This is true both myself and the dog (my building buddy) are always covered in sawdust

I will have to look at the dust problem as it is getting worse. I would love to build a large garage workshop but we rent our house so I am a bit limited as to size of workshop I can have 

No what you mean. Wish mine was twice the size then I might be getting somewhere. I can dream I suppose. 

Coming along well. I will be checking out your you tube channel

Hi, new build going slow so thought I would post pic of my workshop sorry shed. I'm always in trouble for it being untidy and covered in dust. Does anyone else suffer from the same problems??? I would just like to say I know where everything is even if no one else does.

Hi I have now started on the neck. It is cut from a solid piece of wood from a left over banister rail. I have not yet decided whether to add extra to the head or just make the head smaller as it is only about 2-3 mm out on each side of the head. 

Hi guys, A little side project I have been busy with. It is the red guitar I made but was not happy with so I took it to bits did some work on the neck and sprayed it white. As before it is made entirely from wood taken from an old pallet. It's tuned up and sounds OK. 

Welcome to the forum I hope you enjoy it and get as much help and encouragement  from the members as I have. I will be only too happy to help you in future if I am able to.

Thanks. its not looking too bad for cheap wood. It's the 335 shape.  still working on what I need to do inside before gluing up. Think hardest part will be putting in the hardware.

F holes now cut trying to work out what else need to be done to top before gluing to rest of body 

Top needing a bit more carving and f holes marked ready to cut out. 

The bottom is now carved and am now starting on the top. This is the first time I have carved and made a semi solid guitar so it is a bit of a learning curve for me. 

My oldest son asked me if I could make him a guitar related shelf to store his vape liquids on. This is what I made him