work continues on headstock jigs

headstock template the two screws are fastened into the area that will be drilled to receive tuners.

This jig is used to position the headstock to receive

holes for the tuning machines

here is a shot of the trial run on scrap- the jig presents the headstock in the proper

position to drill the holes for the tuners thanks to a 1/4 inch alignment

pin on the drill press table.

excuses, excuses all play no work.....

No woodworking over the weekend spent the holiday at the beach with the family. I did get my slotting template for the fingerboard yesterday. So there should be a new jig on the way soon.....

Trimming the top

The top sanded to a thickness of one inch.

Here Dean is using a pencil that has

been sanded to half thickness and the

mold to outline the shape of the top.

Carefully trimming the

top a little over sized.

Just off the band saw,

it has a nice clear tap tone.

Work on Dean's top

Deans top arrived - here's a shot of sweetening up the edge prior to joining the top. Nice piece of select spruce.

A little 220 grit

just to knock the

fuzz off.

I like it. Can't wait to hear how it sounds.

Work on template for headstock

Start out with a half template - then line it up on the center line to make the other side.

Smoothing is done on the spindle sander. I used a triangular file for the center section. Had I used solid wood I could have used chisels.


Next I need to finish the transition from the headstock into the neck. Then I will have to shape the template to match the curve at the transition so that I can attach the template to shape the headstock with a pattern bit on the router table. Of course before I can attempt that step - I will need to put the veneers on the front and back of the head stock. Of course there is another caul to make that will allow me to clamp the veneers to the curved shape matching the transition. With all the jigs and fixtures I have made - I really need to make more than just one of these guitars.

Dean smoothing out the rough edges on what will be the cradle used to carve the sound plates on his guitar.

Work continues

Local guitar builder Dean Harden came by to work on the cradle for the Archtop he is making. Dean has been building guitars most of his life and plans to make a show piece. Quilted Maple sides and back, select Spruce top and Tiger striped maple neck. Unfortunately, the wood has been back ordered and so the only thing to do is play around with the prep work. We had a nice time together, he knows his way around a shop and I had no worries with him around the machines. It's nice to have someone to ask questions. I'll try to post Dean's progress.






A few pieces of hardware from Lowes some plastic from my friend Dean, and I have a fret bender. The base is a drill press vise from Harbor freight. I use a 1/4 inch allen wrench in place of a crank. I found the details for this at; http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=14027


Adding the neck extension requires another jig; following the book's method, I built the Jig shown below. For the actual glue up I place another clamp on the heal of the neck. The bar clamps were inexpensive clamps that I purchased from Harbor freight as part of my you can never have "too many" clamps philosophy. These clamps however can only be used for the lightest duty situations. This is not a power clamping situation, however I am going to look for F-type clamps to replace these for the next glue up.

The long view.

Back tracking - jigs and some tools used so far.

My Hi-tech caliper.

Caliper in use. (not my hand)

Hand Plane used for graduating the top and back.



Picture of the neck dovetail.


Set up for clamping back to body.
See picture with all of the clamps in earlier post.


Back on body in mold.

Mold on platform.

Mold on platform

Top in cradle.

Cradle for carving top.

Check out the new link to Micheletti Guitars. Really nice work from a really nice guy. He has some very interesting and well designed plans for "cool tools"..... As well as some tone wood.

Now if I can just sell some of the guitars I own ....maybe just maybe.

Good day working on the neck joint and fitting the truss rod.

View of the cutter in position.

Spent most of the day making this jig to route the dovetail for the neck.

This is the complete set up, the vise is a real workhorse.

Shipment from LMI - Truss Rod and Fiber faceplate material

Work on the neck continues.... Here is a shot of the tapering jig with the safe-t- planner on the drill press.

Not very pretty at this point.... next step will be to build a fixture for routing the dove tail to join the neck to the body..... Really like this vise it allows you to position the work where you need it.

Should get my truss rod, plans for the binding jig and headstock face material today from LMI.

Set up for routing truss rod channel.

Fun weekend - finished up the clamps that I am going to need for the bracing. Routed the channel for the truss rod.... I am scratching my head though, somehow I went 1/16 too deep...... I need to make some material for the jig to taper the neck that will work to build the channel back up. I am still not where I want to be with the bracing yet, the fitting continues..... I ordered the plans and DVD for the LMI binding jig as well as the truss rod and headstock material (should have them Wednesday).

12" radius sanding block

This is the set up to make a 12" radius sanding block for the finger board. Really pretty simple set the table to 5 degrees and take very light passes with the safe T planner. The idea came from http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=25182

Great site with lot's of information

Shot of the back on the cradle (for graduating top and Back)

Preview of the top sitting on the guitar body

Inside view with back attached

Fitting brace to the top (this takes time)

Cauls for gluing the top and bottom to the sides...

Dry run gluing the bottom to the sides.

My version of the Universal bender - Works well.