An EIR Dred in the D45 tradition.....

[Darryl Young]

Looking good Kevin!!!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Yeah I just want to try it and see if I like it. The rod going in this one is the martin style one way, which from what I can see of it should keep the neck pretty straight, it is a stiff assembly.

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Glued the fretboard to the neck today. Did it inside at the kitchen table as it is about 106 outside today, and at least 100 in my shop. I unclamped after about 3 hours dry time, and I have a back bow in my board. It was flat, and the neck surface was flat when I started. I am hoping it is moisture from the glue, and it will tame down a bit when it is fully cured and has sat a day or two. Never had this happen before. Is it common?
I can still re-sand the surface flat before getting to the fretting process later. First I'll carve the neck.

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

The fretboard looks flatter today, a little sanding to put some relief in and all will be good.
105 degrees outside today..shop isn't much cooler so no work today.

Kevin

[darren]

Kevin,
I usually leave that assembly clamped up as absolutely long as possible to get the moisture out of the glue-up. Overnight minimum, but a few days if possible. I plan things out so that in this day or two there are other tasks to do, that don't include working on the neck. Just something to keep in mind for next time.

BTW my parents are north of you, near Modesto. I see their forecast is 109 for the next few days. That I don't miss! Stay cool.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Thanks Darren for the reminder, I still get anxious and sometimes unclamp before I really need to.
I lived in Ceres in the late 70's, early 80's. Did you grow up there?

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

So after a couple of days at the lake cabin and a 10 degree cool down, I got back in the shop Saturday and got the neck carved. The heel looks a bit too clunky, so I'm going to shave it down a bit. It looked fine until I put in back on the guitar. I don't like the real skinny, narrow heels either so I won't take it down more than about 1/8." How do you guys think it looks?

I sharpened my chisels up to "scary sharp" and boy did they carve the mahogany. This was the easiest time I've have getting the heel down to basic shape. It took me all day, but hey, no problem, I had all day to do it!!

I tried using my bridge sanding jig with my 4" belt sander to thickness the back of the headstock, and that didn't go too well, but only because it was not set up to do the job, my bad. I should have taken the time to make a new jig, which I will for next time. So I'm alright thickness wise but I still have some clean up to do so the thickness is even, right now it is over by as much as .020" at the top end of the headstock. It is hard to get a plane on this surface to get it flat, one of my frustrations that a proper set up with my belt sander should rectify next time.

So this is where I am. I am working on putting a curly Koa "S" inlay for the headstock, which I think will be Madagascar Rosewood, same as the fretboard and bridge. If it doesn't turn out then I may just go back to the premade abalone inlay I've been using.

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

.......more pics

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Not my idea, but it sure works well. Here are some mocked up pics of thicknessing the back of the headstock. AS you can see my drum sander (actually a Robo SAnder) is not quite tall enough...it is 3" and so is the widest point of my headstock) so I'm going looking for a 4" tall drum for this purpose.

I also glued on the veneer last night. I had a terrible time with it slipping around when clamping with my cauls and c-clamps, like I have always done in the past. For some reason this time it was different, so I used all squeeze clamps. It appeared (used a flashlight to look at the joint) that all was plenty tight enough so I should be good when trimmed back. Tomorrow I should get the neck done, maybe even get it fretted. We shall see.

Kevin

[johnnparchem]

The guitar looks great and is coming along. I use a safe-t planet to thickness the headstock. The drum looks like a good idea.