I messed up my rosette too Steve, completely and utterly. I made the initial rosette, which turned out great. Then I inlaid the abalone. I used my new router with the 1/8" bushing. The bushing came from Lee Valley Tools, which have nothing but the best. Unfortunately, the bushing is made of Tungsten Carbide, which makes compression tough.
I had the bushing and bit in, did a test route, which turned out great, then routed the abalone channel. For 1/4 of the way around the rosette, it did a great job, but I didn't realize that the bit started slipping out, so for another 1/2 of the way around (or more), the bit went completely, and utterly through the rosette.
I swore a few of those "fiddle sticks" myself, but utilizing a much more colorful metaphors. I made a fill of duco cement (since it sticks to itself) and sawdust, and filled the channel. Using 2 wrenches and my anger over the rosette, I made sure that that the collar was tightened down enough to compress that Tungsten, and routed again and inlaid the abalone.
When I dismounted the rosette, it needed further sanding, to even it up and thin it a bit, which I did from the bottom. The rosette completely and utterly disintegrated.
I will not repeat what I said next, but I did a small temper tantrum, crumbled up the rest of the rosette, and a few other things that were laying around.
I can also tell you how I completely cut through the top of my OM (which is under the fingerboard and transverse brace)...but you get the idea.
I can list a few other things that went wrong on the OM, as well as the first 2 tops I made for the project guitar, which ended up in the garbage.
We learn the most from our misadventures, but I really dislike these lessons! Take heart in the fact that you are able to save the top and it's going to look great.
Cherry parlor guitar, project #2
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Diane Kauffmds
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MaineGeezer
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My attempt at making an inlay
I saw a photo of a snowy owl inlay on a website. I inquired if I could buy one like it, but it was a custom design, not for sale. I decided to try to make it myself. For a first attempt, I'm fairly satisfied with the way it came out. I hope the actual inlaying process goes as well when the time comes to do that.
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Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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MaineGeezer
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Re: Cherry parlor guitar, project #2
Back to the rosette today. I got a new strip of Purflex, made completely sure it fit properly, and installed it with a circular clamping caul and about 20 pounds of weight on top of it. It's flat! Tomorrow I'll fill with black epoxy, then sand it down. This time, I shouldn't have to sand so much I sand through it.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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MaineGeezer
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2nd attempt came out better
At least this time I haven't sanded through it. There is still a bit more to go to clean up the dirty areas, but that shouldn't be a problem.
Based on my experience so far, if I weren't committed to using Purflex, I don't think I would. It's a lot of work to install and it's very expensive. Maybe the final result will be worth it, but I'm doubtful. Bruce Petros certainly makes his guitars look gorgeous, but I'm not Bruce.
Based on my experience so far, if I weren't committed to using Purflex, I don't think I would. It's a lot of work to install and it's very expensive. Maybe the final result will be worth it, but I'm doubtful. Bruce Petros certainly makes his guitars look gorgeous, but I'm not Bruce.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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MaineGeezer
- Posts: 1810
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm
Bsck strip installed
I've put in the back strip. I think I finally got it right. Originally it was to be 1/8" wide (3/16' with purfling lines) and 0.070" deep. It ended up 1/4" (5/16' with purfling lines) and 0.050" deep, which required a 0.020" depth shim.
Next step is to fill this with black epoxy, as I did with the rosette, then scrape/sand it down flush.
Next step is to fill this with black epoxy, as I did with the rosette, then scrape/sand it down flush.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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MaineGeezer
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- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm
shaving off the excess epoxy filler
I finally got one of these strips installed at the correct depth. The back strip was about 0.005" proud of the surface and cleaned up very nicely.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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Diane Kauffmds
- Posts: 3299
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm
Re: Cherry parlor guitar, project #2
Wow Steve!!! The owl looks really great. Congratulations on making him. You did an outstanding job. You'd never know that there was a problem with the backstrap and rosette. They look like they were planned that way.
You done good!
You done good!
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MaineGeezer
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Brace stock
Here's a photo of some brace stock I just cut from a larger block of spruce. Carter and I split off one side of the block to establish the line of the grain, then flattened the split surface and then made another surface 90 degrees to it. From there it was fairly easy to slice off strips with vertical grain to be the stock for the braces.
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Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
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Benjy
- Posts: 156
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- Location: Irmo, SC
Re: Cherry parlor guitar, project #2
I think you are doing a great job! That owl looks great so does the back strip and rosette! You are going to have a beautiful guitar!
Benjy
Benjy
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Diane Kauffmds
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Re: Cherry parlor guitar, project #2
Your rosette and back strip look outstanding. I think once your done, you'll be glad you'll be glad you used the purflex.