The next one has been started

[RogerC]

The creative bug has been nibbling me steadily since I finished the mili-tele, so I wanted to get going with another build. Here are the specs on the new one--

-tele style
-chambered alder body with a walnut cap
-creme binding (still mulling it over whether or not to do binding)
-maple neck/fretboard
-rear routed
-P90's with standard tele wiring
-brass half bridge
-black or nickel tuners and input jack (I'm open to suggestions there)

This one will be several months in the making for a couple of reasons:

first reason- money. I'll have to buy my supplies/hardware a little at a time.

second reason - the place where I plan to buy my walnut isn't having a sale in January or February, so I'll have to wait until Spring. It won't be too bad though, because I'll use that time to buy a few things here and there and make progress in other areas.

Since I had some maple on hand, I started on the neck/fretboard today. I'll be using a double action TR, so my fretboard will be separate from the neck, but I'm using maple for both.

I needed to get my fretboard piece down to the correct thickness, so after a few passes on the jointer, I ran it through my version of a thickness sander. I removed the blade from an old plane and clamped it to my BOSS. Then I would just move it closer, a little at a time, to get to the correct dimension.




Here's my shop help giving me a hand-


Here I am getting ready to rough-shape the neck-


Finally, a few shots of the mostly-finished neck. I got lucky, and there is some curl to this maple, so I think it'll make a fine looking neck.

[sachi]

You're younger than I thought . . . .

[RogerC]

hehe . I'm quite mature for my age

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by RogerC

I needed to get my fretboard piece down to the correct thickness, so after a few passes on the jointer, I ran it through my version of a thickness sander. I removed the blade from an old plane and clamped it to my BOSS. Then I would just move it closer, a little at a time, to get to the correct dimension.

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. I might laugh 'cause I admire your ingenuity, using an old plane as a reference surface. I might cry 'cause, particularly for relatively unchallenging wood, in days gone by, the choice of tool would have been to use the plane as intended and would have been skills to teach your kids. In the right hands, it'd probably have been faster, quieter, use no electricity, provide physical exercise and produce no dust. Just thinking out loud. Carry on.

[dchristo]

I was thinking the same thing, a good sharp blade in that stanley no 5 and a few minutes, that board would flat and slick as glass

[RogerC]

I actually agree with you guys, but it's been over 20 years since I've used a plane and this one has definitely seen better days. I wouldn't know the first thing about how to get it back into shape. All the parts are very rusty and not in very good shape. I'll be happy to post pics if either of you have any pointers on restoring it.

[dchristo]

Roger, there's alot of info about planes on the net, heres one

http://www.majorpanic.com/handplane_restor1.htm

or, send it to me, I will restore it and send it back to you, no charge

[RogerC]

Dave, thank you. That's very kind. If you really wouldn't mind, I'd love to have it refurbished. This was my dad's (and I think my grandfather's as well). After looking at the resource you provided, I'm not sure if I'd be able to get it done properly. It seems that planes require a language and skill set all their own. I'll be more than willing to research and practice to gain the skill set to use and maintain it properly once it's back in form.

I've sent you a pm.

Thanks!

[leftybanjo]

What are you looking for in walnut for the guitar? Any other wood choices? I am a wood nut and have some that might work, price is very low.

[RogerC]

1/4" thick. I'd like to bookmatch, and the final dimensions would be ~ 13" x 16".

As for grain character, I'd love a set with some curl in it, but it's not absolutly crucial. If there's some interesting grain I'd consider it. If you have any pics that would be great. Also, if you could pm me some prices as well.

Thanks a bunch!

[arie]

safety glasses and a dust mask for your helper couldn't hurt. unless that was a posed picture -then i'll apologize

[RogerC]

No, Arie, unfortunately it wasn't posed. When I'm using my sander, I never use any PPE, so it didn't dawn on me to have him in any. After I posted the pics and was looking at them, I realized where I neglected my parental duties . I posted these on a couple of sights and have had it pointed out a few times now hehe. That's ok, though. I fully deserve it.