New Build - 1st from Scratch

**mannym** · 17th December 2009, 09:52 PM

Here we go guys. Time to bite the bullet and have a go.

For my first Ill try a Telecaster for my 10 year old boy who picks pretty bloody well I might add. This will be interesting because:
* I have very limited tools - Plunge Router and various bits, tiny bench in a tinier garage, a couple of grinders, jig saw, and hand drill. Some drill bits, lots of different grade sand paper, Im making some sanding drums for the drill. And I have a trusty old Makita Portable Belt Sander.

* I will make my own neck. And I WILL use some merbau in there as an experiment - probably a test fretboard to practice fretting, and if it works out actually maybe use it.

* I wont wind my own pups as I dont have time at the moment but Im keen to try that out one day. So Im going for the standard '50 something vintage single coil in the bridge and lipstick in the neck. Im keen to make a 72 Deluxe, maybe next one.

The body will be cut out of some billets that I still dont know what they are. All I can say is they are hard, fine grained, heavy as lead, and ring like a bell when you tap them. I cut one up and shaved/sanded to test workability. Hard on the Jig saw, so Ill be drilling loads of pilot holes. But good to route and drill.

I tested it out and made a new swing seat for my little 4 year old girl. Here it is sanded and stained with a decking oil.

After yesterday I have even more limited tools, when my old trusty Makita Portable Belt Sander (about 10 years old) packed it in...sparks, seize. Nothing.

I had just rough cut my body template from some 15 mm MDF and was sanding the edges to the line with some 80 grade.

Oh well, had to get inventive. I needed a router table. I had to get a move on and mounting my Plunge Router to a deck I made recently (https://www.woodworkforums.com/f98/tr...please-108574/) that attaches to my Workmate, was the go.

I did it. Marked out the base underneath, freehand routed out and screwed the router in place. Locked the Plunger down to the desired height and the bit poked out the top beautifully to finish the template. A bit happier after that, and Im back on track.

Next step is to cut two pieces off this rock hard timber, joint (dont know how yet although the edges are pretty true, just needs a plane and sand I reckon). Glue em up in a couple of days and Ill return with some snaps.

Wish me luck fellas - this one didnt start well, but there's no turning back now.

**EtherealGuitars** · 17th December 2009, 10:07 PM

Good luck with the project Mannym and remember, we ALL had to start somewhere. Just be warned that this pursuit is incredibly addictive and I'm tipping you'll be adding to that list of tools along the way

**dadovfor** · 19th December 2009, 08:49 AM

+1 mannym

I started out with fewer tools and lesser experience ... and I'm now on to build 4, so you'll do fine.

And that's a good initial post ... lots of clear pics ... with good descriptions (are you looking and learning Andy B?!?).

Keep us posted.

**Andrew_B** · 19th December 2009, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by dadovfor

+1 mannym

I started out with fewer tools and lesser experience ... and I'm now on to build 4, so you'll do fine.

And that's a good initial post ... lots of clear pics ... with good descriptions (are you looking and learning Andy B?!?).

Keep us posted.

pics are gooood

i already built a tele dado

**floody_85** · 19th December 2009, 02:14 PM

hey when did u build that? Ive never seen that before..Looks good!

**Andrew_B** · 19th December 2009, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by floody_85

hey when did u build that? Ive never seen that before..Looks good!

hmm was an older build to get me back into the game....
i did it befre i joined here i believe...

**dadovfor** · 19th December 2009, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_B

i already built a tele dado

No you veg ... are you looking at how good mannym's photo descriptions are and learning from them?!?

Nice tele by the way.

**Andrew_B** · 19th December 2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by dadovfor

No you veg ... are you looking at how good mannym's photo descriptions are and learning from them?!?

Nice tele by the way.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

hahahaha....

knocking my descriptions aye

well i was gonna start a new build....
but now im just not gonna tell ya's about it, nor show pics

**dadovfor** · 20th December 2009, 08:45 AM

You know you'll tell us ... you can't help yourself.

And we're glad you do.

**mannym** · 20th December 2009, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew_B

pics are gooood

i already built a tele dado

Thats a nice build Andrew. I followed that one recently on the telecaster forums.

**mannym** · 21st December 2009, 06:41 PM

Got the router working on the edges to get some joints happening and finlaly got pretty true. A little sanding and we are gluing up tonight.

Now these little bits are solid and very heavy for the 10 year old, so I started thinking, a hollow tele with a F-holed cap for my first build? Well the objective is to make the bugger somehow lighter. I swayed toward that idea when I found my mum-in-law throwing out an old rustic piece of furniture circa 1920s. Its falling apart, but one of the doors on this thing was veneered with about 4 different layers. In the middle a nice piece of dry and flat 1/4 inch sheet - and that there will be the cap for this one.

Ill start undressing this thing tonight.

But first - get the long sash clamps (thanks to my bro-in-law) and get gluing!!

More pics to come....

**Andrew_B** · 21st December 2009, 07:25 PM

nice find....

**peterbrown** · 21st December 2009, 08:35 PM

Hey mannym,

Great build you got going here. I love the salvage builds,

Look forward to more. What is the cupboard door, timber wise that is?

Cheers,

Peter

**woodturner777** · 21st December 2009, 08:49 PM

Not 100 % sure but looks like Queensland Cedar to me.
a lot of furniture in the old days was built from Cedar.
It will make a nice top.
Regards
Bob

**mannym** · 21st December 2009, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by peterbrown

Hey mannym,

Great build you got going here. I love the salvage builds,

Look forward to more. What is the cupboard door, timber wise that is?

Cheers,

Peter

Pete,

I think Bob is spot on...a cedar. Its lightish in weight and pinky...not as dark as Western Red.

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