Blogging Fatso!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

David,
I have seen them both ways......and, often they aren't even a wedge, so I think you are just fine.
By the way, what is the monkey's name?

Kevin

[David L]

Thanks guys! I kinda like it upside down, and for Tony, man you can't get nothin' past that dude! Kevin, the monkeys name is Tony, Bah-ha-ha-ha-ha, sorry Tony, I couldn't resist, Kevin set that up so perfectly, he dangled that bait in front of me and I just had to bite, It was Tony that slpained it to me, lets see how did he put it? Um, er, I think it was "Bob's your monkey" or was it "your uncle's a monkey" maybe it was "Bob's your monkeys uncle" yeah, I think that's it. Well, there you have it!

David L

[Kevin Sjostrand]

I am of the same mind; why try and build a Martin D28, if I want a guitar that looks and sounds like a Martin D28, I should go buy one. I will spend as much in materials and time to build one anyway, and it probably won't sound like one if even it looks like one.
I am not bashing those who want to do this....it is just not the way I think about it.
I like the idea of making it individualistic......mine. Of course, I will have to borrow most of the scheme elements cause they have all pretty much been used before, but I'd rather not try and copy any particular design in its whole.
On the other side of the coin, I do admire those who build a guitar that looks just like a Martin or Taylor, that is pretty neat too!!!

Kevin

[David L]

While waiting for binding stuff (technical jargon) to arrive, I got started on the FB, kit came with MOP position markers but I wanted something with a bit more pizazz, so I went with abalone. They don't contrast as well as MOP, but I still like them better. My kit didn't come with side dot thingies (more technical jargon) so I drilled and installed those.

David L

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Nice David,
I like the abalone markers too. Just a "touch of class" I think, like putting on a little bit of lipstick...well, I'm not putting it on.

Kevin

[David L]

Spent this evening rigging up my new binding routing equipment. I went with KMG IA binding router attachment and hooked it up to a Bosch Colt. I took it for a test drive on a scrap block and it worked really well. I still need to do some practicing with it before I put it on Fatso. I used Bench Cookies to hold the block while routing, and let's just say I won't be doing it like that with a guitar. I'm going to get a cradle, I haven't had any major screw-ups yet and that's because I'm taking my time and using proper tooling (or maybe beginners luck).

David L

[johnnparchem]

Routing the bindings by hand is fun! You did the right thing buying the binding attachment. I did 2 guitars with nothing but the router base and the bits with the right sized bearing. To do the back I loosened the two back screws on the routers plate and placed a shim in for the right angle to match the back radius and tightened the screws back. No problems on the first guitar. The second guitar they went in angled slightly so the bindings thinned when I sanded the sides. I ultimately routed them out and was very careful to keep the router level and had better luck the second time. Having the longer vertical guide to index off of the rim will make a big difference.
Make sure the bit is tight. Most of the bad problems I have read about include the bit coming out of the router.

[David L]

After reading a lot about binding I wanted to make sure I had the proper equipment for the different angles required due to the different radii. I decided to go with Kens' IA attachment for a couple of reasons, the price is very reasonable and It doesn't require owning a shop full of bearings, in fact it doesn't require owning any bearings, it is self contained, adjust, check, rout. It does exactly what you tell it to do, I just have to get competent at telling it what to do.

David L

[David L]

Less mess-up-able? Is that some kind of luthier lexicon? Why not purfling in three passes?

David L

[enalnitram]

Absolutely. all craftypersons are utmostmajorly concerned with unmessupableness.