My homebrew fretless construction thread... - Page 2

neptoon · #21 09-12-2003, 11:16 AM

so, are you taking orders yet, man?

Saetia · #22 09-12-2003, 03:38 PM

Wow Ian that is Beautiful! If your's turns out nice you think you could make another one, I would pay well!!! Anywho, my step-dad worked operating and programing CNC Mills at Z&L Machinery for 16 years. We have an old Milwuakee manual Mill and two wood lathes, and one metal lathe, all of which are very old(30's or 40's). But I know my way around them, but I don't think I could do any of what your doing by hand, I have only messed with CNC very little at school marking the coordinates and cut depths and stuff on minor projects like jewelry boxes and stuff. But yes, you are making a beautiful bass man, and when thats done, if you want you could make some extra money, just email me at bigdoggtiny75@hotmail.com if your interested.
peace
-Ben

neptoon · #23 09-12-2003, 05:08 PM

i was looking closely at the elctronics cavity and it looks like the holes you drilled for the controls are really close to the edge of the cavity. is there enough room for a pot in there? still looks smokin' though

Ian Hall · #24 09-12-2003, 05:42 PM

Yeah, the control cavity leaves .050" clearance from the side of the pots without the terminals. It's quite close, but on purpose. I wanted to leave as much room inside as I could, since I may decide to install led's in the side of the fretboard, and run the electronics 18V, I need room for possibly three batteries

The large cutter was used to trim the body thickness and left very little sanding to be done after the cutting. I maybe spent five minutes or so on it.

I have been thinking about maybe starting to make basses as a hobby and business but I want to see how this one holds up after a month or two of playing- I'd hate to sell a bass to someone and have it fail due to some mistake I didn't realize I was making. Once I get the hang of this I will strongly consider it though... I could use a little extra cash for sure, and I enjoy the work.

We have an old 40's craftsman lathe that my grandpa used to make bushings and stuff- still functional and pretty cool too.

I'm making my own bridge this weekend- check back for pics.

edit: never mind- I think my boss threw away the scrap brass blank that I was going to use for the bridge by accident... Looks Like I'm buyin' one.

Saetia · #25 09-13-2003, 10:54 AM

Yeah, I'm really intrested in being a machinist actually, maybe tool and di. The guy down the road is big into custom motor cycles, he casts his own heads in the foundry and machines all his parts, its really cool, big manual mills, it's amazing to watch. Anywho, that cnc mill, how piece tool pallet doest it have????
peace
-Ben

Ian Hall · #26 09-13-2003, 03:54 PM

The CNC doesn't have a tool loader, I load it by hand with a pneumatic draw bar setup(sucks the tool up in to the spindle head and secures it) I can store up to a hundred different tool heights though, so I've got plenty of options....

I may make a bridge after all- I was thinking brass but now I may switch to aluminum after doing a little reading here on TB- I'll keep you guys posted.

Ian

Razor · #27 09-13-2003, 04:11 PM

Serious GAS! Awesome looking work you're doing there! Keep the pictures rolling in.

godoze · #28 09-15-2003, 12:38 PM

Man, I wish I worked as fast as you do !

Ian Hall · #29 10-15-2003, 05:23 PM

Unique stabilized birdseye maple with heartwood from gallery hardwoods:

Close up of figure

I set the FB on the body so you can see how it will look- also, the pups and knob and bridge are test mounted.

The birdeye maple piece that Larry sent me looks great- the stabilized wood is very nice to work with and polishes out with tripoli and a cotton buff wheel quickly to a nice shine that nearly resembles a clear finish. The figure is also made quite visible. I rough cut the FB and did the radiusing and polishing to allow me to get it trimmed with the heartwood division running down the center. I would have trimmed it after gluing to the neck but I wanted to be able to place the grain break accurately after radiusing.

Ian Hall · #30 10-15-2003, 05:30 PM

Neck rough cut w/headstock attached and rough sanded(note matching spalted black limba veneer)... just finished cutting truss rod channel.

Why buy a truss rod when you can make your own?

I ordered a special teflon heat shrink tubing from my supply catalog and covered the rods with it instead of standard heat shrink- nearly no turning friction when adjusting and glue won't stick to it when the FB is attached. The bushing is brass and everything else is 304SS. The rod snugly fits in a 1/4" channel.

Truss rod in place.

So far so good. Almost done!!! Just waiting for tuners and input jack. Will glue up FB tonight and carve neck over weekend.

neptoon · #31 10-15-2003, 05:53 PM

man, that thing is really coming together nicely...can't wait to see the finished bass...homebrew, indeed

rllefebv · #32 10-15-2003, 11:59 PM

Can I ask where you ordered the tubing from and maybe a part number? I'm close to the same stage with my homebrew and I'm looking to use a different rod case than rubber tubing...

-robert

P.S. Lovely bass BTW

godoze · #33 10-16-2003, 06:55 AM

Ian, that looks great !

Bassmanbob · #34 10-16-2003, 07:35 AM

NIce work. Keep up the great work!

mslatter · #35 10-17-2003, 01:19 PM

What a gorgeous fingerboard. I love that it's not symmetrically figured. Adds a lot of character.

Can't wait to see the carved neck!

Ian Hall · #36 10-19-2003, 07:03 PM

The teflon tubing is in McMaster-Carr supply catalog, and is listed under heat shrink tubing. The threaded rod and SS stock for the end nuts were also purchased through MCM. If you do a search you can find their website.

I just finished the neck and got the shop cleaned up about an hour ago and I will be getting the tuners on tues. so I should have the bass complete and post some pics wed. or thurs.

rllefebv · #37 10-19-2003, 08:05 PM

Hey Ian, thanks for the info! I'll be ordering some through work then... really appreciate it!

-robert

Skerik1 · #38 02-15-2004, 11:37 PM

Did you ever get your bass done?? I'm a big fan of what I've seen, and would like to see the finished product!!

--Matthew

Osama_Spears · #39 02-15-2004, 11:42 PM

Looks so nice dude!

Damn!

luisnovelo · #40 02-16-2004, 11:34 AM

Congrats Ian!.. It seems to be going excellent... The body looks pretty sweet..