This is my first kit build and I'm trying to build up the tools as I go along and eventually start a build from scratch.Anyhow here's what I've done so far, I aren't expecting this to be perfect I'm just using this kit to try a few techniques:Veneering, body shaping, fret inlays, side dots, binding etc.
The veneer is very brittle (0.6mm oak burr), I had to soak it a little so it didn't chip and I'm worried its gonna rip to pieces when I rout it for the binding.
Also can anyone point me in the right direction for the correct router bit for the binding and a good site for wood stainers.
Any crit, tips will be noted. Cheers.
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Have you left the existing black binding in place?
There are a couple of ways to help prevent chip out.
1) tape the top with low tack masking tape (or normal masking tape applied to you t-shirt first) before routing the binding.
2) pre-finish/seal the veneer to help stabilise it before routing, then bind and carry on
Sharp bits are the real key whatever you do
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I've had better success with 'Trend' branded bits which are dearer than Silverline but don't cost the earth - I thought they were the same manufacturer to begin with and I'd been had, but they seem a good bit better made so now I'm not so sure.
Thanks WevZ that bit of info is very helpful, I'll try the masking tape trick, I was wanting to stain the veneer so treating it first probably isn't a good idea.(?)
This is the bit I've been looking at randella, it's a little more expensive than I'd have liked but as we all know.. you can't put a price on quality tools. This has the 1mm rebate but I was hoping it had the 2mm too and I can't find a bearing set anywhere for a reasonable price.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trend-46-Tungsten-Carbide-Rebate/dp/B0001P10EO/ref=sr_1_4?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1465242525&sr=1-4&keywords=rebate+bit
As for quality.. well its a 4 piece body, rough sanded the binding isn't bad, just needs finishing, the neck profile isn't bad either, it looks straight and it fit snug in the neck pocket. I filled the holes for the bridge as it was 1mm off center so be sure to check things like that.
The hardware is tosh but I really don't want to put too much money into a £59 guitar so I might buy cheap Wilkinson tuners, bridge and pup if I don't arse anything up before it comes to installing them.
It's not plug and play and for some reason I didn't get any instructions/schematics so I'll have to have a root about for them online.
It's worth £60 if you don't mind putting some effort and time in to it, you pay more than that for body blanks. There's a few lads on here who have done amazing jobs with these cheap kits.. it's where I got the idea from anyway.
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/30285/the-really-useful-posts-index#latest
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The Trend 1/4" pattern follower I used was rock-solid, night and day from the cheaper bits. The bearing followed the template accurately with no over- or under-cut, and the cutting edges were perfectly capable (making sure to not cut too much at once) - they sliced through swamp ash like it was a bar of soap.
As for the Silverline stuff - the pattern follower I tried went straight in the bin, it literally was useless. You'd be better off setting fire to £10. The round-over was a bit better, but nowhere near sharp enough.
Anyway, here's where we're up to (lots yet to do!) - I don't think I'll be giving Leo's lot any sleepless nights but it's fun all the same:
I just followed a few youtube tutorials and if you're heads screwed on then you shouldn't have a problem. I'm a complete amateur and I haven't fluffed it up yet.. YET!
The router bit was ordered this morning but because of the veneer (0.6mm) and the existing 6mm binding I'm having to go for a 10mm x 2mm binding, I should have skimmed a little off the top before gluing the veneer but its a lesson learnt.
Did you glue the two pieces of your guitar body yourself? Hmm a jointing plane.. another tool to add to the ever growing list.
It might be a few weeks until I post any progress due to waiting for things to arrive through the post, but I have glued some leftover veneer on the headstock and I'll see how that's turned out tomorrow morning.
I've tried a few techniques for trimming the veneer but I still prefer to soak it a little and slowly trim with a sharp razor blade, slow work but it stops the burr from splitting plus spraying it with a little water will reveal any bubbles or parts that weren't clamped properly (I had to re-clamp the body because of a few bubbles, I think it was due to a lack of clamps but its sorted now.
It doesn't look like it but the truss hole is cut out, it must just be the light when I took the pic.
I was gonna stain this with a teal dye but I think I might just oil it to bring the grain out.