Binding cleaned up

I have managed to scrape the binding back.I am not real happy with the end results but I suppose I will put this down to "learning"

The white binding is a real pain,as it shows ever bump and scratch.

I have also made up a clamp to hold the body on the bench.It was money well spent.

Here are some pics.

Binding laminator Pic

Here is the Binding Laminate jig that I made and used.I am sure it made the job a bit easier when it came to "wrestling" with the binding..

This took about an hour to make and cost me about $1.50 AU in material

I think in hindsight Stewmac's price (About $30.00 AU) is quite reasonable if you don't have to pay the freight.

Binding done - Pics

I managed to get the binding done this week.I didn't cut the channels quite deep enough (Trying to be too careful),so I have had to scrape a fair bit off.

This has made the binding a little bit "bumpy" and there are a couple of areas that have scratches in them ,but I suppose it doesn't look too bad.

I posted the question - http://www.kitguitarsforum.com/forum/threads.php?id=1301_0_2_0_C

I have also found a supplier of Micro Mesh in Sydney - Coated Abrasives Australia - Newtown.

Binding jig made,end strip done

I managed to finish cleaning the routed channels up,cut and fitted the end strip and I decided to make up a "Binding Laminating Jig" which I got done.


I also laminated the three thin bindings for the top ,so if I can get a couple of hours after work I will get that done ..

The jig worked pretty good and I hope only having the 2 strips will be a bit easier to glue.

I have also started looking around for some ideas for the finish.I am leaning towards the French Polish at the moment but I am going to have a play before I touch the guitar.

One thing that does concern me is the amount of dirty marks on the spruce top(See Pic) . I am hoping it all cleans up OK

The next thing I need to start thinking about is tuners..I am not sure what to use yet....

Binding rebate cleaned up

Well I finished "cleaning up"the binding channel using the Laminex Trimmer.

I don't know why ,but this was a lot easier and I have managed to kind of make the channel a lot neater than it ended up with the Dremel.(I am a bit happier now)

I was having a look throught one of my books and I see that they had cut down to the kerfing ,so I am not too worried about that.

I have decided that I am going to make a guide for the trimmer so it rides just on the edge and the guide will run along the side by about 50mm.This should make it a bit easier next time.

My plans are to get the binding and the neck done this coming weekend.

Routing the back binding - its got to get better!

Well, I managed to get down the shed after work today,but I wish I hadn't.

I started routing the back binding ,using the Dremel and the Precision base.
I made a small 5 deg wedge up and modified the router base .Too easy - Ha Ha!

The whole thing is up and down and all over the bloody place. I am not happy at all.There has to be a better way to do this!..

I ended up getting the laminex trimmer out and put a 13mm Straight bit in it with a 9 mm bearing .I then added a couple of turns of tape on the bearing...

I then stuck the 5 deg wedge on it and started "patching" it up.

This did seem to work a lot better than the Dremel,but as I said there has to be a better way.

I also noticed that in one part I have just touched the kerfing. Not much I can do now I suppose.

Not real happy with this at all.I hope the end result sounds good!

Not as much as I had hoped!

Well I never got started on the neck but I did get a go at routing the binding rebate - Hows the nerves now! Your kidding! I am glad I used the Dremel and Stew-macs jig.

I never got it finished because I was starting to rush ,and not watch what was happening.

I am not too sure what is going on,because on some parts the cut is fine but on other parts its not deep enough.The sides looked pretty square and flat so I don't know.??

I also wasn't too sure on how much bigger to leave the binding (if any) so it can be sanded/scraped flush with the top and sides.

Any way I will go and have another look at the Stew mac DVD and see what they say.

The box is closed-At last

Well finally.....,I have the box closed.This weekend I am going to get a start on the neck - I hope.

I recieved my "Precision Router Base"
from Stewmac this week and I am now thinking about some kind of inlay - (Get ready Ted for more questions!)

This product is really well made and a lot better than the Plastic Dremel base I have.

I am starting to think about the finish now and I am not sure if to try my hand at French Polishing or one of the water based finishes.(Time to start reading I suppose).

Top ON - and RIP Billy

Well I finally got the top glued on today.I glued the back on first but I don't think I would do it this way again.

I had a bit of trouble getting the top square and the back is out by a few mm.

Also I have a small gap where one of the braces is.I don't think this will matter because the binding will cover it.

I could almost write a book on what not to do!

And on a sadder note:

The passing of Billy Thorpe this week was a real shock and devastating to Aussie rock.. This guy was a real rock icon.

http://www.thorpie.com/

RIP Billy.

The backs on,but not without a small problem

Well,I have got the back glued on (Did this before the top) and I see that one of the braces has held the back up off the kerfing,It is only as fine as a piece of paper,but something to watch next time!

I checked this quite a few times ,but I think that a splinter has come away from the brace and held it up off the kerfing

I am going to get the top on today and get a start on the neck so I feel as though I am finally getting somewhere.

The weather here at the moment is garbage.
The last 4 weeks have been so warm,wet and humid its been making it a bit of a task to do too much.

I reckon I should have put a small AC unit in the shed , as the De humidifier makes it quite warm in the room.....