Rabs Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Super cool. Testing those is a great idea - again showing how thorough and methodical you are. I'm learning a lot for sure. BTW, I like the Tru Oil best. Cheers man.. yes im loving that tru oil too.. instant convert :) And yes... testing like this is the only real way.. imagine if I did that on my mahogany build and it went wrong.. Lol, this is much safer, I need to know how everything will react in advance of doing it on the main build and get my process right so when I do it for real then im at least 90% sure it will go ok (theres ALWAYS a chance something will go wrong as with everything else in life ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Oddly enough..I like the look of the half walnut/half maple top thing....especially with that Tru Oil finish...whenever you start making more of these, I want a Rabswood "Split top" like that. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Oddly enough..I like the look of the half walnut/half maple top thing....especially with that Tru Oil finish...whenever you start making more of these, I want a Rabswood "Split top" like that. -Ryan Lol.. with pleasure sir That would certainly make for a different looking guitar that's for sure... So would you want half and half with the hardware too? ;) Maybe on the back I could do it the other way round? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan H Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 That would certainly make for a different looking guitar that's for sure... I'm all about different! So would you want half and half with the hardware too? ;) Mixed hardware definitely. Maybe on the back I could do it the other way round? Mmm back veneers..I like the way you think. -Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm all about different! Mixed hardware definitely. Mmm back veneers..I like the way you think. -Ryan Why not... lets go crazy :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 And hello again and welcome to todays update... More oil testing (I just want to do a few layers and make sure im happy with it) and some work on the other mahogany neckthrough build that's got a zero neck angle. So.. firstly back to that coat of oil I put on yesterday... Wow.. even after just one layer it looks pretty good and theres no buffing or sanding going on yet.. pretty cool So I add another coat.. a but less oil this time and just simply rub it all in until it starts to get sticky.. while that is drying I go and work on that second mahogany neckthrough. First I cut it to my shape as I did with the oak one yesterday (still need a good name for that model). I used a completely new template bit for this.. wow what a difference a new blade makes. So for this build I want to use those Dynasonic type pups I have.. Now these are different as they are body mounted.. So I will have to take some wood of the top of the body or this obviously wont work with these pickups :) I just need to take off a few mm So quickly I go back and look at my oiled top... I think im now pretty happy with the way this is going so I will need to get a bigger bottle oil to finish the main build with (and probably the other ones too)... So I added another layer (the third I think) and went back to what I was doing. So this is how im thinning the top down. simply with my router like this :) More below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 When I get to the middle I need some support for the router so I just get a couple of bits of wood under there Then I used my angle grinder to get the rest off near the neck (as the router wouldn't fit up there... and hey presto So, much better.. and bare in mind that even though these are top mounted I will still have to route a hole for the screws and wire and I will make it flush with the body so I will get an extra few mm that should just be right... I can alter that later if its not.. So now time for this guitars headstock.. I can use the larger of my templates for this as theres enough wood So there you go.. three bodies and headstocks pretty much done.. need to do the necks next. Here you can see the difference in headstock size more below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Back to the oil again :) Here you can see the difference between the oiled bit from the back to the middle of the body(ish) and the horn area that has no oil And after one more coat So I put one last coat on that I will try and buff up tomorrow to see how it buffs And leave it there for today.. I hope you are all still enjoying this.. we are near the end now (well of this thread)... and more tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 And welcome back again (those still watching :)) Today I did the last oil test and did some neck shaping with and angle grinder.. I did a video of that which I will post further down... So I started off by using some wire wool to sand the top down a bit (which your meant to do from the third coat :unsure: ) but im only rough testing so I didn't go to mad.. Then I apply a final coat.. So I leave that to dry and get on with some fret dressing.. First tape the fret spaces up do I don't file into the board I go at the ends with my jewellers file (very useful tools) And after an hour or so (this is quite a boring job really but obviously important to do it right) im pretty much done.. no razors here Then I look at the oil again.. believe it or not this is now dry and looks pretty great, even without buffing.. Happy with that So im into this oil finish and it looks like its fine with stains and with the glue holding the veneer down Now my issue at the moment is I cant decide if I should veneer this mahogany build or not... I LOVE the look of flamey tops and this walnut I have is really nice... BUT I also like natural tops and this mahogany isn't bad.. And I just cant decide.. BUT I will tomorrow.. so the final finishing will start one way or another :D More below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 What I do decide to do is to mark the positions of the holes (the pot holes I can get to from the back)so if I do decide to veneer I know exactly where the holes are (or it could get messy :) I also decide to give it a good rub down by hand with some finer paper (some 120 grit) and I do this by hand as you can feel any imperfections better than you can using a sander. So I put that aside till tomorrow while I think about exactly how im going to finish it. Then I move on to the Oak necthrough build. So today I decided for the first time to use my angle grinder to shape the neck... Previously I used rasps and sanders and it could take a few days to do.. This is how it was So I thought it would be fun to film this (even though it was my first time :unsure: ;)).. This actually took 10mins to do but ive sped it up so it wont be too boring :D Not bad for 10mins work hey :) As you can see its not perfect by any means but it wont take me long to shape the rest of that So that I think was a success.. If im going to continue to do this I need to make my work efficient so im up for trying different stuff.. you really just never know till you try.. So that's all for today.. as I say tomorrow I should start the final finishing steps on the mahogany build ... Ohhh exciting ;) So as always, thanks for watching and more tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauloon Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Looing good man!...........I've learnt more following this thread than I ever learnt at school. Another tru-oil fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 Looing good man!...........I've learnt more following this thread than I ever learnt at school. Another tru-oil fan. Im glad some people are enjoying and getting something from it, makes it even more worth while :D.. so thanks for watching and the kind words. We are all learning together really.. Ive had many useful suggestions from you guys And yes im impressed with the tru oil.. now its had like 5 coats and you can actually feel a finish on there.. it hardens up nicely .. No toxic fumes or anything like that so you can do it indoors and it dries in days rather than weeks that you wait for a nitro finish to cure.. Pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauloon Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Product Description 3 Fl Oz (90ML) Bottle of Tru-Oil natural wood oil finish. Ideal for refinishing almost any gunstock. Tru-Oil is the original gunstock finish used by the Beretta factory for the majority of new Beretta shotguns. The solution is a quick drying blend of linseed and natural oils which form a tough hard and clear finish which enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Tru-Oil is also a favourite with many top walking stick makers. I have a vintage(brand) LP copy that I have upgraded (pups etc)...and I would love to sand it down ( body,neck etc whole guitar) and give it a clear coat of...something....do you think this would do the trick?....as description '' tough HARD finish''....you reckon this would add an even brighter tone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 I have a vintage(brand) LP copy that I have upgraded (pups etc)...and I would love to sand it down ( body,neck etc whole guitar) and give it a clear coat of...something....do you think this would do the trick?....as description '' tough HARD finish''....you reckon this would add an even brighter tone? Hmm.. well what I will say to that is firstly im still new to this finish (ive done Nitro a few times) so at the moment I can say that everything I have read and seen says YES it makes a great guitar finish... Looks kind of like its been varnished but is much harder.. I may test the hardness out in a few days and see how easy or not it scratches and then how easy or not it is to fix up a scratch with tru oil... Best thing to do is check youtube, theres loads of vids.. like these. As for you LP copy... well it depends... What sort of finish does it have now? A thick poly type? Is it solid or can you see the grain.. What oil and lacquers will do to wood is highlight the grain so if you don't have much then it may not look so great, ALSO and this is probably more important, if theres any imperfections or scratches, it will show those up too... So, id say if you can see the wood and it looks nice do it, if not then your taking a chance on what the grain looks like. (oh and yes if it has a thick finish it may brighten the sound up putting a thinner finish, hard to say really) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauloon Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Ummm...yep..it's a goldtop ,so I don't know whats below!....I do know the maple cap is not that thick.....I've hesitated from doing it so far in case I sand the whole cap off!!....with it being a fairly cheap copy the gold finish ain't that good (black specs etc)...but iv'e got it sounding real good......probably best to leave be........as we say....sod the look!...does it sound good!....yes it does,....and I could bugger that up........pity though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 Ummm...yep..it's a goldtop ,so I don't know whats below!....I do know the maple cap is not that thick.....I've hesitated from doing it so far in case I sand the whole cap off!!....with it being a fairly cheap copy the gold finish ain't that good (black specs etc)...but iv'e got it sounding real good......probably best to leave be........as we say....sod the look!...does it sound good!....yes it does,....and I could bugger that up........pity though. Sanding the top off should be easy enough (just be careful at the edges).. As long as you use say 240 grit paper you wont be shaping the wood much (and from 400 upwards you don't shape the wood really at all(, just do it by hand (thin finish should come off easy)... Well put it this way, your not going to harm the sound or playability by doing it but as you say, being a cheap copy chances are its cheap wood, but you just never know. So, if your happy with the guitar id agree leave it be.. but maybe find another cheap guitar in a pawn shop or a garage sale or something (like a cheap ebay deal) and try it on that first? I will say its lots of fun doing this stuff so is worth dabbling in.. the tru oil finish really couldn't be easier to do.. Let us know if you decide to do one, id be interested to see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauloon Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Sanding the top off should be easy enough (just be careful at the edges).. As long as you use say 240 grit paper you wont be shaping the wood much (and from 400 upwards you don't shape the wood really at all(, just do it by hand (thin finish should come off easy)... Well put it this way, your not going to harm the sound or playability by doing it but as you say, being a cheap copy chances are its cheap wood, but you just never know. So, if your happy with the guitar id agree leave it be.. but maybe find another cheap guitar in a pawn shop or a garage sale or something (like a cheap ebay deal) and try it on that first? I will say its lots of fun doing this stuff so is worth dabbling in.. the tru oil finish really couldn't be easier to do.. Let us know if you decide to do one, id be interested to see it Appreciate the info rabs,........i'm dithering...but leaning towards doing it.......probably toss a coin.....and then still do it either way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hello... heres todays update. Today I decided to do one more veneer test.. I wasn't 100% happy with the technique I used... So today I used the back of the guitar (the pine one) to do another test. If this goes well I will veneer the main build tomorrow.. if not then I may just skip the veneer for this build until im 100% happy with what im doing. So I had two ideas.. Firstly to use an iron (not heated) to help flatten the veneer... And then for proper weight I used two sand bags.. now they were heavy So ive stuck that down and am leaving that to dry until tomorrow. Also I got some new pickups (these will go in the oak build. A humbucker and more interestingly a humbucker sized P90 for the neck So I will look forward to hearing all of these when I get that far. Then I went back to the other two neckthroughs Heres the oak one with a bit more work (almost there now) Then I thought id tackle that hole I made by accident.. I measure it and its only 1cm deep so I thought well lets just shave it off and all is good :D Then I tackled the second mahogany neck which is getting there So here we are... three necks and bodies almost shaped... Next I will do the nuts and tuners and pickup cavities fo those builds. Even if I start finishing the main build tomorrow it will only be an oil coat or gluing the veneer so while that's drying I will work on these other guitars. More soon :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hello again all... Today we have some more veneering (with a magic iron) AND I also glue the first side of the veneer to the neckthrough 2 build (the one nearly finished :))... So last night I glued one more veneer to the pine body as I wasn't quite happy with the results (like 98% happy) and more practice cant exactly hurt.. The veneers are quite cheap so I think its worth wasting a few on testing. Well today I went and looked at it, and well there was a few air bubbles Then I remembered some of my lessons from doing that antique furniture restoration course.. So we bring out the magic iron :) and some brown paper to stop burning Literally 40 or so seconds later and some ironing and WOW.. that course paid off :D Sorted!! :D I am now happy to veneer the main build I also decided to oil it again.. and man it brings that pine out nicely More below Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 So a new centre line is needed Heres that body again.. Love the tru oil And heres the veneer roughly cut to the right size.. that will look sweet Tape one side down.. Also I have removed some excess near the horn.. If you try and put weights on that it will rip (and not I a good way) Glue... While being thorough and making sure theres enough and ever bit of the surface is covered you mustn't make it too thick. And its on and drying... So.. that will dry over night and we will see the result tomorrow, then I will glue the other side and leave it the whole weekend to dry.. Then I can finish it next week :D (ohh and I will do a headstock veneer too ;)) More tomorrow.. Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Looking good Rabs. I've been following for a long time and if this has been asked, I can't remember, but have you had any training or prior experience at this or is this just "I think I can" kind of stuff? Either way, looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Looking good Rabs. I've been following for a long time and if this has been asked, I can't remember, but have you had any training or prior experience at this or is this just "I think I can" kind of stuff? Either way, looking good! Thank you sir :) And no.. not much (I have sprayed a couple with nitro a few years back)... When I actually first started this I hadn't done any woodwork since school and it was a case of I was (and still am) unemployed and after the first year of it I decided to do something creative and productive and that's when the idea was born. Also I wanted a guitar with a humbucker and P90 and couldn't afford to buy one (and at the time Gibson didn't offer a guitar with those pups) so decided I would make my own. And im not sure if I could have done it without the help of the internet.. Youtube has so many great videos on building guitars. So yeah I thought why not, I have nothing to loose.. and it just went from there :) Since then as mentioned above I did a short evening class on antique furniture restoration as id love to get into restoring vintage guitars (if I ever get that good ;)) and also as shown above, that class helped with some great tips and techniques that should come in handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 Hello there.. Today is the quickest update ever :) Checked the top side of the veneer.. looking good and I got the second half ready too stick on over the weekend.. I will then leave that to dry for a couple of days and then the oiling starts :D I think that's gonna look pretty sweet when its all oiled up So more soon.. and have a great weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moparguy Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Hello there.. Today is the quickest update ever :) Checked the top side of the veneer.. looking good and I got the second half ready too stick on over the weekend.. I will then leave that to dry for a couple of days and then the oiling starts :D I think that's gonna look pretty sweet when its all oiled up So more soon.. and have a great weekend The anticipation is killin me. Its so close to finished. Its been a helluva thread for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 The anticipation is killin me. Its so close to finished. Its been a helluva thread for sure. Cheers man :) And yes I cant wait to get this first one finished.. BUT I must be patient and do things properly and make sure I test until im happy.. but as soon as this one is done, I will have another two finished pretty soon after But this one should be done some time next week now (still waiting for the bigger bottle of tru oil to turn up)... Soon my friend.. Soon :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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