Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Take us through building your guitar step by step. Post pictures and tell us what you're doing.
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rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

Adding the smaller braces to the redwood top
MoreTopBraces.jpg
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

I spayed lacquer on my radius dishes AND I used the 3M 77 spray adhesive as suggested by Ed. This worked much better. I'm still frustrated by how much sanding I have to do. I'd swear that when Kathy Matsushita sands her kerfing it takes about 5 minutes tops and it is perfect. I sanded on this for an hour to finally get it right.
SandingBackKerfine.jpg
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
Kevin Sjostrand
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Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
Location: Visalia, CA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by Kevin Sjostrand »

You have realize that Kathy is a super woman.
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

I bought some light blonde shellac from LMI: ->Link

Kathy gave me instructions for mixing:
Here’s a chart: https://www.shellac.net/PoundCutChart.html

What I do is, into 1 cup alcohol, put 1 ounce flakes for a 1-pound cut, and 2 ounces flakes for a 2-pound cut.

I bought one of those digital kitchen scales — I put a bowl on it, set it to zero (tare), and put flakes into the bowl till I have the ounces I need.

I then crush them up in one of those little coffee bean grinders, so they’re more like a powder, almost — they’ll dissolve faster that way.

Put the shellac into the jar you have the cup of alcohol in, cap it, and every so often, swirl it around. I forget how long it took to fully dissolve.

After it’s all dissolved, use a coffee filter to strain it into your little bottles.
I mixed 1/2 cup of 1lb, and a full cup of 2lb.
photo 1.JPG
photo 2.JPG
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

I sanded the top kerfing. I'm having better luck getting the sandpaper to stick to the radius dishes now:
photo 3.JPG
photo 4 (2).JPG
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

Dry-fitting the back to the sides
BackFitting.JPG
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

Carving top braces and cutting the notches in the sides for the X braces
CarveBrace01.JPG
CarveNotch01.JPG
FitTop.JPG
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
rcnewcomb
Posts: 359
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by rcnewcomb »

I put some 1lb shellac on the top to help protect it (plus I wanted to see what it looked like). Neither the top nor back have been glued on yet.
RedwordTopShellac01.JPG
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- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
John J
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Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 7:52 pm
Location: Saint Paul, MN

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by John J »

That top is gonna look beautiful.
Learning every day.
Danl8
Posts: 733
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2014 7:50 am
Location: Chadds Ford, PA

Re: Build #2: StewMac Mahogany Dreadnought

Post by Danl8 »

Good blog! Thanks for posting Kathy's shellac recipe. I woulda never thought of using the coffee grinder...brilliant. I'm learning almost more than I can handle at this forum. :-) Can't wait to 'hear' your finished dreadnought.
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