LMI Tor-Tis workability

[hat]

How easily is the Tor-Tis that LMI sells worked? I am thinking about getting a firestripe pickguard, but want to make a small modification to the shape. I would prefer to not crack or chip it in the process, so any tips on working with it will be greatly appreciated.

[Bruce Sexauer]

I use a hair drier on it to heat it just short of floppy. If over heated it shrinks or distorts. I use a router to cut it, but when warmed sufficiently scissors would probably work. My templates are made from 1/4" material and I do all of my edge work and buffing before removing the PG from the template. The TorTis is affixed to the template with 3M 77.

[Pat Foster]

Hot water works pretty well too. Safer if it's your new at it.

Pat

[Wade Hampton]

It's a pain to work with, in my experience.


whm

[Halcyon/Tinker]

I recently made a pickguard for someone with tortis. I roughed it out on the bandsaw, smoothed it to final shape on the spindle of the edgsander, then beveled it by hand starting at 220, working up to 1500 grit, then a quick kiss on the buffing wheel...