Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
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- Location: Camarillo, CA
Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
I started this thread up in the guitar building procedures board, figured i'd move it here and post some updates. Heres the original:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3738
Since that time i haven't got a ton accomplished, and i've had some setbacks that are documented in the beginners questions section.
So, what i've done since gluing the sides and installing the rosette:
I sanded the radius into the rims without any problems (so far), and then went to work on the top braces. Unfortunately, i notched both x braces with the same angle. I ended up ordering new x braces (already radiused) and got back on track after about a 3 week wait. I only had to use one of the new ones after notching it correctly, and got the braces glued in, with a little slippage from my brace outline marks. I'm gonna live with that one. I've got a pic of the top braces mostly on, after i reclamped them to leave them over night for good measure. Got my DNA on the guitar feathering the brace ends ;)~ Next i moved on the gluing on the headstock veneer and filing the string ramps. Pretty happy with that so far. Went on vacation up to Monterey. Tried to tackle the fretboard next. Gave my self fits marking out the centerline and profile - must've done it 75 times. After i got it right, i screwed up the fretboard by trying to cut the profile with a coping saw (thats another thread). I went out that afternoon and bought a band saw. I did start practicing routing out the fret marker inlays - i have a ways to go there.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3738
Since that time i haven't got a ton accomplished, and i've had some setbacks that are documented in the beginners questions section.
So, what i've done since gluing the sides and installing the rosette:
I sanded the radius into the rims without any problems (so far), and then went to work on the top braces. Unfortunately, i notched both x braces with the same angle. I ended up ordering new x braces (already radiused) and got back on track after about a 3 week wait. I only had to use one of the new ones after notching it correctly, and got the braces glued in, with a little slippage from my brace outline marks. I'm gonna live with that one. I've got a pic of the top braces mostly on, after i reclamped them to leave them over night for good measure. Got my DNA on the guitar feathering the brace ends ;)~ Next i moved on the gluing on the headstock veneer and filing the string ramps. Pretty happy with that so far. Went on vacation up to Monterey. Tried to tackle the fretboard next. Gave my self fits marking out the centerline and profile - must've done it 75 times. After i got it right, i screwed up the fretboard by trying to cut the profile with a coping saw (thats another thread). I went out that afternoon and bought a band saw. I did start practicing routing out the fret marker inlays - i have a ways to go there.
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Last edited by chimpotle on Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:15 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Chuck
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- Posts: 64
- Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:41 pm
- Location: Camarillo, CA
Re: Newbie first build - Stew Mac 000
Then i got the back braced up (in process pic below), but when i installed the center strips (in accordance with the stew mac directions, using a notched fence), one of them slipped. Not sure if i'm going to live with that one yet. I don't think you'll see it through the sound hole and its only slightly off. Pic is before the slip - the center strip was just there for me to check for fit.
I've been practicing routing binding channels pretty often over the past month. As a matter of fact, i've practiced almost every process before doing it - notching lap joints (turns out i needed a t-bevel), scraping, sharpening, routing, inlaying, even gluing. But there comes a point when i get into paralysis by analysis. Anyways, thats that.
Tonight i glued the top on. This was the last dry run, minus a few cam clamps.
And thats where i'm at. I've been practicing routing binding channels pretty often over the past month. As a matter of fact, i've practiced almost every process before doing it - notching lap joints (turns out i needed a t-bevel), scraping, sharpening, routing, inlaying, even gluing. But there comes a point when i get into paralysis by analysis. Anyways, thats that.
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- Chuck
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Re: Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
Screwdriver through the tuner holes for ramping the slots is a good idea. Where'd you find that?
Darren
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Re: Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
That is a lot of work done so far Chuck, looking good, and I especially like the pic of the central coast....did you drive up Hwy 1?
Kevin
Kevin
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Re: Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
Thanks guys!
Darren - i just googled "filing string ramps" and found a thread on OLF.
Kevin - we drove up 101, and came back down the 1. One of my favorite drives.
Darren - i just googled "filing string ramps" and found a thread on OLF.
Kevin - we drove up 101, and came back down the 1. One of my favorite drives.
- Chuck
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- Posts: 3712
- Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
- Location: Visalia, CA
Re: Newbie first kit build - Stew Mac 000
I've spent alot of time at Kirk Creek about half way between Big Sur and Morro Bay.....I love the 1.
Kevin
Kevin