Official Luthiers Forum!
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/

My challenge build
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10132&t=34846
Page 3 of 4

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I've started working on the tailpiece again. My old 4" angle grinder broke, so I had to get a new one.

First the wheel is shaped so that it will make a round groove, then grooves are cut on both sides of the billet, offset from one side to the other.

Before grinding:

Image


After:

Image


Image

To be continued...

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Well, the binding is all glued on now. I'm not real happy with the fit of the top bindings though. Before I do another archtop, I need to build a binding router jig thing...

I painted the channels with shellac first:

Image


The bindings. They came out of the bender a little lumpy in some spots, so I had to touch them up on the iron:

Image

Image

Image

Image


I also worked on the fingerboard a little. I tapered it and added side position markers:

Image

Image


I'll finish forging the tailpiece tomorrow, and will probably be able to string it up, "in the white", shortly thereafter.

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I actually haven't done anything on this project since last weekend, but here's some more pics from then.

The binding scraped on the top and back. Have to do the sides yet:

Image

Image


The inserts, inserted:

Image


The neck joint flossed:

Image


The wedge glued to the neck:

Image


The fingerboard radiused:

Image

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

The tailpiece. Sorry, I missed some intermediate steps. Basically, I drilled the holes, then used a torch to soften the area I wanted it to bend, and bent it. I think I may be scrapping this one because it's not wide enough. We'll see.

I used a small cut off wheel in my Foredom and needle files to make the string slots.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I really like this build Phillip . love the wood combo and the steel work . I really look forward to seeing the finished product and hearing her played . great work [:Y:]

Author:  DennisK [ Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

So how's this baby coming along? Waiting for finish to cure, or do you still have it strung up in the white? And what are your thoughts on eastern red cedar as a top wood? There's a guy over on delcamp asking about it, says there's a guy somewhere in Missouri with a bunch and could cut guitar tops if there's interest.

Excellent work, by the way. I think this is my favorite build in the challenge so far. Love the color scheme, shape, F holes, everything. I've been wanting to try an arched top with flat back like that, and wondered why nobody ever did it. Arched back makes sense for soundpost instruments, but flat seems like it would work better for guitar style instruments... plus it saves a bunch of wood and painful hardwood carving. Carving the top is fun though :)

Definite points for forging your own steel tailpiece [:Y:] Looks great. Not a fan of the hex bolt though. Stick a wood pin in that thing!

Can't wait to hear sound clips.

Author:  Clinchriver [ Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Really cool build. Nice job carving the plates.

I replaced some plastic handles on some chisels with curly maple and used copper pipe for ferrels, your hand made ones look really nice.

I've been into forged knives for a long time, I have a couple of Jerry Fisk knives, should have three one got stolen.

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun May 13, 2012 10:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

DennisK wrote:
So how's this baby coming along? Waiting for finish to cure, or do you still have it strung up in the white? And what are your thoughts on eastern red cedar as a top wood? There's a guy over on delcamp asking about it, says there's a guy somewhere in Missouri with a bunch and could cut guitar tops if there's interest.

Excellent work, by the way. I think this is my favorite build in the challenge so far. Love the color scheme, shape, F holes, everything. I've been wanting to try an arched top with flat back like that, and wondered why nobody ever did it. Arched back makes sense for soundpost instruments, but flat seems like it would work better for guitar style instruments... plus it saves a bunch of wood and painful hardwood carving. Carving the top is fun though :)

Definite points for forging your own steel tailpiece [:Y:] Looks great. Not a fan of the hex bolt though. Stick a wood pin in that thing!

Can't wait to hear sound clips.


It's coming along pretty well. I hadn't really done anything on it for a couple months, then realized the deadline is quickly approaching, and I'd better get moving. duh So, a few weeks ago I shaped the neck, and this week finished sanding and started spraying.

I did have it strung up in the white, and it sounded pretty good. I think the eastern red cedar is fine as a top wood, but you won't see it used much, since it's so hard to find pieces big enough without knots.

Don't worry, I'll be making an osage endpin. :)


Clinchriver wrote:
Really cool build. Nice job carving the plates.

I replaced some plastic handles on some chisels with curly maple and used copper pipe for ferrels, your hand made ones look really nice.

I've been into forged knives for a long time, I have a couple of Jerry Fisk knives, should have three one got stolen.


Sorry to hear about your Fisk getting stolen. What models do you have?


Ok, here's the first round of the semi-final pics:

The neck before shaping:

Image


I use a belt grinder called the KMG (knife makers grinder) from Beaumont Metal Works. A wonderful tool. I'd be lost without it.

Here it's set up with the small wheel attachment:

Image


After shaping the way I want, I use a different attachment, with a slack 240 grit belt to remove the 40 grit scratches:

Image


All smoothed out:

Image

I'm finishing this neck with Tru-oil. Here it is with one coat on:

Image

Image

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun May 13, 2012 10:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I decided I didn't like the color of the top, so I'm painting it gray:

Image


Just kidding! I'm actually using the paint to help me find any imperfections on the top:

Image

Image


I'm not pore filling this instrument. I'm doing a quick and dirty finish. First, a couple coats of shellac, then sand it smooth:

Image

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun May 13, 2012 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Then lacquer. I'm using Watco brushing lacquer, because I have it, and want to use it up. Since I'm not pore filling, it would be pointless to sand this all the way up through the grits and buff, so I'm just going to spray a dozen coats, level, then spray one more very thin coat.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

At this point, I need to let the lacquer harden a couple days before I level it. This brushing lacquer takes awhile to harden...

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun May 13, 2012 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Now, the tailpiece.

I heat treated it because hardened and tempered damascus gives much better contrast than soft (annealed).

Before etching:

Image


After etching:

Image

After buffing:

Image


I repeated the etching/buff process a couple more times, etched it one last time, and left it in the neutralizing bath for several weeks. Then I lightly sanded it with very fine paper to bring a shine to the bright layers, while leaving the others dark. Then I sprayed several coats of lacquer to keep prevent rust. As soon as I find the tailpiece, I'll take some pics of it...

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Sun May 13, 2012 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I found the tailpiece. Miracles do happen.

Image

Image

Author:  Clinchriver [ Sun May 13, 2012 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That damascus tailpiece is cheating........ thats awesome. Would you be interested in doing a couple of mandolin tailpieces?

Author:  cphanna [ Mon May 14, 2012 9:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

It's a very cool little instrument, Phillip. I've enjoyed following along with it. I like your choices throughout. At first, I didn't think I'd like the bindings, but they work very well. I'm especially impressed with the way you brought out the pattern in the damascus steel. That's beautiful.
Patrick

Author:  muskr@ [ Sun May 20, 2012 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That tailpiece is awesome. So after you cut grooves into it, did you just hammer it flat, or was there more to the process?

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed May 23, 2012 11:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Clinchriver wrote:
That damascus tailpiece is cheating........ thats awesome. Would you be interested in doing a couple of mandolin tailpieces?


Hmm, maybe. The design needs some tweaking first.

muskr@ wrote:
That tailpiece is awesome. So after you cut grooves into it, did you just hammer it flat, or was there more to the process?


Yes, after grinding the grooves were cut, then I hammered it flat, then forged it down to the final as-forged thickness, then ground it down to about 1/16" thick.


Ok, here are the final in-progress pics:

Making the tail pin:

Image


Image


Image


Image


Image


Image


Next post, finished pics.

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed May 23, 2012 11:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Assembly was just a matter of bolting everything together. And adjusting the bridge height. I'm not sure I'll leave the bridge the way it is. I might "skeletonize" it like a violin bridge.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Wed May 23, 2012 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

More pics:

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


Now I just have to find someone who can play something I can record and post...

Author:  Phillip Patton [ Tue May 29, 2012 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I just recorded my demo video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AwZVjgl ... e=youtu.be

Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Wed May 30, 2012 12:10 am ]
Post subject:  My challenge build

Outstanding!! Sounds great and you get bonus points for making the Damascus tail piece!!

Author:  Trevor Gore [ Wed May 30, 2012 4:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Nice, Phillip. Scarborough Fair rules!

Author:  alan stassforth [ Wed May 30, 2012 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Nice!!!!!
duh [clap] [clap] [clap]

Author:  George L [ Wed May 30, 2012 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

That's awesome, Phillip! And cool documentation of your process as well.

Author:  muskr@ [ Wed May 30, 2012 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

I love the sound. It's sort of like a mando but smoother.

Author:  Bob Shanklin [ Thu May 31, 2012 8:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My challenge build

Great work, and documentation, Phillip.

Page 3 of 4 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/