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New build for 2015 #18
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10130&t=44958
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Author:  weslewis [ Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:35 pm ]
Post subject:  New build for 2015 #18

MK5 Bluesmaster, based on a L-00 shape and size, with a few changes, most obvious is the falcate bracing, 12 fret 24.9 scale, 1.775 nut, body length 19.312, lower bout 14.750 depth 4.312, attached is a file capture from Rhino cad, many parts will be made on a small cnc. Top will be Euro spruce, back and sides will most likely be some nice EIR , possible other options, haven't decided yet. Fretboard will be ebony . tuners will be gotoh 22:1 , and a bridge plate mounted piezo pickup.
Updates will be very slow for awhile as I don't plan on starting till March, waiting for warmer days and higher humidity , which in North Texas starts in March and lasts till October or so, good long building season. In the meantime I will get the the forms and moulds built.
This is my first doc u build so feel free to comment and or critique. beehive beehive

Author:  Robert Lak [ Wed Jan 21, 2015 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Wow... looks to be one tiny guitar! :lol:

Hey have fun! Take lots of pictures and post often. (...like I should have! it's tough to keep that up along with everything else.) Just keep in mind that someone here has a solution to almost anything you can do wrong...

Author:  weslewis [ Tue Jan 27, 2015 10:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

here is the wood , some really nice tight grain euro spruce, figured Sipo, sapele neck, and Macassar ebony fretboard. [:Y:] [:Y:]

Author:  weslewis [ Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Got the bending form and molds cut today. pizza [:Y:] [:Y:]

Author:  SteveSmith [ Wed Jan 28, 2015 11:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Looks like a cool project Wes. I've built one falcate and it is one of the best sounding guitars I've made. Every time I run into someone making instrument parts with a CNC I get tool envy. Don't know much about the little ones - did you make that or is it off the shelf? Either way I like the size.

Author:  weslewis [ Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Bought off of ebay, 6040 size, Its really useful to have. I use it to make a lot of the parts, software is vcarve pro.

Author:  Alex Kleon [ Thu Jan 29, 2015 7:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

The sipo looks great, Wes. Have you used it before? Your CNC set up looks sweet. I'd love to be able to use one, but I've only recently mastered the paper and pencil thing! Keep us posted!

Alex

Author:  weslewis [ Thu Jan 29, 2015 9:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I have used figured sapele and it worked great, first time using sipo, it's quartered , we will see how well it works and sounds. Hard to see but it has some really good figure.

Author:  weslewis [ Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I got the bridge cut out today, The binding and trim will be in zebrawood so I thought I would try it for the bridge as well, according to the wood database it has similar hardness and weight as Padauk which I have used with very good results in weight , it's cut in two pieces .195 thick mirrored on the cnc with a " resonator" chamber cut between the pin holes and saddle beehive beehive just kidding, sounded good though??? oops_sign actually the pocket is to reduce weight, the pieces have a piece of carbon fiber laminated in between, for those familiar with Trevor Gore techniques, it is used in conjunction with carbon fiber between the bridge plate and the soundboard to add stiffness and reduce weight .

Author:  Alex Kleon [ Mon Feb 02, 2015 4:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Your bridge clamp up looks like a Transformer, Wes!

Alex

Author:  weslewis [ Sat Feb 07, 2015 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

building the falcate bracing, I made a new clamping jig , bracing is made of 3 pieces of spruce, carparthian in this case, each .062 thick, then laminated to form a brace 3/16 thick, the brace is then cut in half to make a right and left brace.

Author:  weslewis [ Sun Feb 08, 2015 10:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Some more work done today on the cnc, cut out the sides and the back, glued together the backs using the tape method, no complicated jig needed!!! [:Y:] [:Y:]

Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Sun Feb 08, 2015 11:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I think I know that sipo... the figure is fantastic

Author:  weslewis [ Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I got the set from Aron Hix back in august last year..

Author:  weslewis [ Wed Feb 11, 2015 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Cut out the soundboard halves on the cnc, pockets will be .020 when final thickness is done,the idea is to thin the outside edge of the soundboard, one thing about the cnc is the halves mate perfectly together so planing or sanding the edges is not necessary! [:Y:] They are joined using the tape method, join the halves and while pushing the pieces together tightly apply the center piece alone the full length, then raise up one side, I use a piece of 2 x 4 then put pieces across the halves leaving space between center and tape, idea is theat when flattened the tape will stretch and pull together pieces, use 3m green tape for this it stretches, fold the pieces together and apply the glue of your choice, I use titebond extend, lay pieces down and slowly push flat on a piece of wax paper, then turn over and wipe off all excess glue, flatten and weigh down..easy and works great!! best of all no Jig!!!!! [clap] [clap]

Author:  weslewis [ Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

worked on inlaying the rosette , This one is going to have a pirate theme???!!!

Author:  weslewis [ Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

cutting the braces and cutting the rebate for the carbon fiber..my new mini router using a stew mac base bliss

Author:  weslewis [ Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I got most of the bracing cut out, waiting till the RH% gets to around 45% before gluing on braces, still have work to do on the back and have yet to bend the sides... pizza

braces are cut out of carpathian spuce

Author:  weslewis [ Wed Feb 25, 2015 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Continuing the pirate theme, got the back inlaid today!! Eat Drink Eat Drink
Its a combination of zebrawood, padauk , ebony, maple , and black palm!!

Author:  weslewis [ Wed Feb 25, 2015 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

cut pockets for center strip and braces....

Author:  weslewis [ Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Progress going a little slow..Job seems to keep getting in the way!! [headinwall] [headinwall] wow7-eyes
Gluing the back braces into the rebates along with the center strip..

Author:  weslewis [ Thu Mar 12, 2015 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

glued in braces

Author:  weslewis [ Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

Gluing on the main falcate bracing...carbon tow is epoxied into the rebates...

Author:  weslewis [ Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

adding carbon tow to the top of the braces, this method really locks in the radius, in this case 28f, the UTB is glued into a separate jig with a 70ft radius to flatten the upper bout..

Author:  rlrhett [ Mon Mar 16, 2015 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New build for 2015 #18

I have to admit I am confused by the carbon fiber thread. I've done some work with carbon fiber and have experienced both it's surprising stiffness and strength in some areas and total weakness in others.

I just don't see where these threads can add stiffness to the brace.


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