Thread: lil' mongrels build!

Yup, but in my household a thicknesser is an "expensive item" wot dad wants sort of thing that everyone has seen me goggling at at hardware shops. If I said I wanted a 3d routing pantograph jig then it doesn't quite roll off the tounge as well.

Photos on the way!

Keep your eyes peeled for that bargain, Jason.

I got my 12 1/2" thicknesser from Bunno's for $199 and it hasn't skipped a beat.
It's also the same machine Carbatec, Ryobi, Hare and forbes sell under their own name. (GMC)

Best buy yet I.M.O.

This has to be the best thread I've ever had the pleasure to observe.Thanks Mongrel and lil Mongrel for sharing the journey

Here are the pickys, quite a few, she's a bit of a shutterbug - Ok so am I.

Mongrel and I have done some more today, we got cut short because we had to fix my grandfathers phone... or more, dad had to...
anyway, dad ended up using a router to route the sides ready to be carved with the angle grinder.

when we were finished, we did heaps of sanding, for about 30 mins, had a break, and then sanded for another 20-25 mins and then,,,, dad decided that he needed to fix the holes for the knobs.

we ended up putting the jack-plate on tonight, and hopefully, we'll be doing some more tomorrow.

Mongrel has put the pics through... Lil' Mongrel

Originally Posted by springwater

This has to be the best thread I've ever had the pleasure to observe.Thanks Mongrel and lil Mongrel for sharing the journey

thanks so much, it's heaps of fun and time with my dad has been great... we're very bad... ask the dog.... cough cough air compressor!!!
Lil' Mongrel and Mongrel

Originally Posted by oz tradie

Keep your eyes peeled for that bargain, Jason.

I got my 12 1/2" thicknesser from Bunno's for $199 and it hasn't skipped a beat.
It's also the same machine Carbatec, Ryobi, Hare and forbes sell under their own name. (GMC)

Best buy yet I.M.O.

Yeah that GMC stuff is great! I got a compound mitre saw that's a GMC and I have cut I hate to think how much timber with it. We've got one of their 2000 watt chop saws too and I cant break it - ive tried. If it happens to shart itself then I take it back and get a replacement! Sweet!


Lil' Mongrel is marching tomorrow like she does every year. She wears medals from her great great grandfather in WW1. He was in the light horse, she can join when shes sixteen (she is an acomplished horse rider too) she has medals from her Great grandfathers, one in darwin and one at Kokada. And medals from my old man who was in the occupational forces in Japan at the end of WW2. poor kid weighs about 200kg with all the medals, but she wears them with pride!

Lest we Forget!

Originally Posted by mongrel

Good question!
I was mainly doing that so that Lil' mongrel could let rip with a rasp without touching the top. Mahogany stands up a little better to "unseasoned" hands. The "belly carve" is well known to fender instruments and if you have ever played one without it for an extended period of time you know that you need it.

The back contours are functional rather than asthetic so far, we will put the final asthetic curve on the bottom of the back when I have made the timber control cavity cover.

Bare in mind that these pics are posted as they happen, and not necessarily at the end of a section. We may finish and post a days photos but be only half way thru a bit.

The top is only 10 mm or so thick, so the carve will only be subtle. The other reason it is being done last is that we haven't decided on the type of carve yet. We could go for a double carve, aka PRS's or for a curve top like a gibson - not all the way, just curved down at the edges. Because this is a first build, she doesn't yet have a real idea of what she wants, but having a guitar body in your hands makes these sort of things a lot easier.

Now I can see the shape...and she is looking sweet (I am assuming the guitar will be a girl!). In the 2nd last photo in the latest series was it taken after the angle grinding and sanding or immediately before?

That Tassie Oak just looks fantastic...Lil'Mongrel, you are going to have one unique looking guitar when you are playing on stage.

PS. Just noticed your new avatar lil'mongrel - perfect.

The Pics are in order. I cheated a bit and had wet the top to bring up the grain and find any lows (there were a couple) But because of that and the angle of the pic and the flash, you can't really see the carve, its only fairly shallow.

Heres a couple that might show it better, after the carve, before the sanding...






Hope that helps!

Lil', It's great to hear you're carrying your Great great and great grandfather's medals this anzac day. Much respect for that.

Mongrel, what's your take on the Tas oak top finishing ? burst maybe ?
Aussie timbers definitely are in a class of their own.

You know, its a little difficult to say. I really liked what you did with your GOM winner. I dont really go for heavy 'bursts, like where the outside is black and still dark on the inside. For this nice piece my thoughts were more of "pop" than anything. When we get the top down to 240 grit or so, I think I'll lacquer the faux binding and then put down a coat of golden teak stain, diluted for penetration, let it dry, sand and repeat a few times to get the flame to stand out. I would consider putting a higher concentration of stain on the outside, which may compensate for the low carve. But other than that I am a little cautious as I havent done much stain work before other than the staining designed to hide timber rather than promote it.
I have the Stew Mac water based finish and sanding sealer (much safer for everyone) so that shoulf be interesting. I can't get nitro easily here and the stewmac stuff seems about right price wise. Hell if it works I like the idea of non-explosive vapor!

Lil' saw Perrys "the Shark" with that awesome two tone finish and said that that "would do" thanks dad. So, Perry, if her guitar shows up in your shop in the next couple of days...

Anyhow, I had better get to bed so I can think more about Guitars.

Sleep tight!


Jason

that's looking excellent. looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Next pics, lots of sanding, routed neck pocket. Sanding at 120 grit






Start work on the neck this week.

we started made the guitar a neck!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!
and at the moment, it has a MASSIVE head,,, i can't do much more full day working with it, becaues im going back to school tomorrow (groan)

the guitar is lookin' cool!!!!