argytar

Finished with the shaping of the bracing. I will try to use hot hide glue to glue it on! Fingers crossed!

So I made me a DIY go-bar deck eventually , because the ceiling thing was not practical at all.

Started sanding the bracing and tomorrow maybe I will glue it on!

35 minutes ago, ADFinlayson said:

Either you've carved the inside of that beautifully or you need to take that straight edge back to where you got it from

Haha, that ‘s a good one!

Thanks!

I like how the kerfed bracing works!! Bendy!!

I will try to sand it to perfection!

I cut the opposing “f”-hole.

..and I used your advice and made a dowel pencil marker! Thanks - again!!

Worked quite noicley!

Afterwards with a little help from my local cabinet maker the kerfed bracing was crafted!

I will use maple rods as go-bars! (Anchoring at the low ceiling). For now...

Haven’t glued the bracing , yet , just trying out the go-bar thingy.

2 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

Lay the bracing where it is going to be, make a drawing tool like shown and copy the curve.

Thank you! I may want to try a little gibson-esque kerfed binding after all! I guess the same principles apply more or less!

Ok so the second plate is finished and I am fiddling with the f hole shape...

After I figure out how to do the bracing I will glue it on!

Tried out the pro vacuum bag today!

The pressure it applies is really effective!

21 hours ago, Nicco said:

Wow, top shelf! This looks amazing. Well done

Thank you so much! 
 

9 hours ago, Muzz said:

Glad I tuned in for this thread, beautiful work

I appreciate it, thank you!!

What I will try to figure out during the weekend is how to setup my newly acquired vacuum equipment. I think i need to make a pleat of some kind... I will look into it!
 

So there it is! The vacuum equipment arrived and it seems super steardy and serious!!

I think the lamination process will be much more enjoyable from now on!

9 hours ago, mistermikev said:

looking lovely. 

Thank you so much!!

31 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

Your home made plywood looks perfect! And if the tapping sound is solid all over then there shouldn't be any voids inside either. Very nice!

Thank you very much! And thanks again for all the guidance!! I tap it and it seems to make the same note everywhere. I think it is an E! (Checked it with my garageband app piano, my 7-year-old daughter has perfect pitch, I don ‘t).

12 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

To improve the heating effect, I'd even build a box out of cheap board and either cover the inside with aluminium foil or wrap the project into a heat blanket (the silvery sheet used in emergency situations to maintain the body temperature) to improve uniform heating. A digital meat thermometer with a cord might also be useful.

Great! Thanks! I will start looking!

Today I removed the back plate from the vacuum mold.

Seems very rigid with no voids!

I marked the center line and prepared the spools for clamping.

I alligned the plate with the center line.

I like how it sounds when I tap it!!! Very excited with this build!!!

7 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

How about an electric blanket? Would such be warm enough?

I need about 60 to 90 degrees celcious so I think it will be a good idea! Thanks!!

Yeap, pulled the trigger today. Got myself some proper vacuum equipment. I wish I had an oven big enough to warm the tops up , after I apply the urea glue. The equipment is heat- resistant.

What I did today is allign the guitar sides and route for the mortise. I found it to be easier this way. I gave it a 4 degree angle.

I also drilled some holes in the mold and started preparing the spools.

The cheap clothing bag still holds the vacuum tightly! Not bad after all, I guess the bottom plate will be quite legit!

37 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

I meant that the clothes vacuum bag isn't too strong, it might stretch, burst or start to leak with a "real" vacuum pump.

I totally agree, I will try to get the proper equipment soon! Exciting!

Shaping the aluminum bridge.

53 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

Not to mention low pressure and a one sided mould.

Hmmm I don t know about low pressure so much as bad technique.. 

I found out that by pressing down the edges with my hand, as the negative pressure was being applied, that I achieved a much stronger downhold... maybe that is just me who knows.

There are some news though... I found out that  I already owned a proper negative pressure pump...

Kinda use it every day..

This means that, if I buy a proper vacuum bag , vac valve and some sealant tape , I might achieve a -1 bar pressure and get better results with the urea glue... I will sure give THAT a go very soon. Might set me back 70- something euros but I think it is worth it!

15 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

I was thinking about glueing one layer at a time being more forgiving and it certainly looks like it should work!

It seemed a lot easier and a lot safer! With three layers and no experience I was bound to blunder!

6 hours ago, Muzz said:

Love the experimental stuff, I am betting this guitar turns out fantastic  

I really hope it works! Thanks!

So today I opened it up and added a third layer on top. It looked stiff enough! Very minor spring-back. I am excited to add the bracing! With the cross-grained pattern I guess it will hold its form nicely!

I think I will go with the lightning bolts on the fretboard, what do you think?

Oddballs need to be a little crazy!

So this is the second attempt...

I am using titebond this time and the cheap clothing vacuum bag... hope it works! It seems to hold tightly for now...

Did the truss rod channel.

Installed the traditional rod.

Made the filler.

Glued it on.

Continued preparing the new lams.

Did some work forming the fretboard. Desided to go with ebony for this build. Scale will be 24.625”.

On 3/3/2021 at 9:38 AM, Bizman62 said:

@Drak just yesterday I was thinking about this project and remembered how we carved moulds for acrylic sheets which we heated in a regular electric oven.

At around 0:50 you'll see how much pressure they use for a Höfner bass laminate:

 

Wow! Nice and informative video!

I wonder what glue  they are using for the tops!!