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Leafenbacker
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
Thanks, so am I
That was my thought as well. I'm really happy with how well the strap's design matches the body.
Thanks
Yes, it always seems to go more slowly the closer it gets to completion. Thanks
Frankly, I'm afraid that any attempt to add color at this point may backfire. I think once I get some Formby's on there, the grain on the leaves will likely absorb it a little deeper because of the rougher texture there, and darken accordingly. That's my story and I'm sticking with it
Well when you put it that way...
I've made changes midstream on previous projects, but this one just seems to want to be natural. As I mentioned earlier on the thread, I ordered a Ric 4003W, but the backorder turned out to be delayed until August. They cut me a deal on a Jetglo one, so I definitely need to have a natural Ric at this point. It's like the universe wanted it like this, and I'm not going to argue with her.
The pickups are all potted, and I re-potted the original one. It's a little thinner than the others as I pushed the poles through a little thinking that I'd have them poking through the covers. Of course, I never bothered to measure that width compared to the opening of the pickup cover, and it turned out they don't fit in the opening. I'll see which one sounds better and go with the better sounding one. It also seems I placed the wires on the far side as well. You know, learn by doing...
Got a little more work done this morning. First, I rounded over the corners of the lower pickup covers.
Then I made a jig to hold each piece while I cut out the inside.
Cut out all six insides.
Lots of filing later, checking the fit to the top portion of the covers.
Next I have to drill the mounting holes, do some final filing for fit, and assemble them. The next set of pickup covers, I will definitely make out of plastic. This filing metal, even aluminum, is very hard work.
Then I made a jig to hold each piece while I cut out the inside.
Cut out all six insides.
Lots of filing later, checking the fit to the top portion of the covers.
Next I have to drill the mounting holes, do some final filing for fit, and assemble them. The next set of pickup covers, I will definitely make out of plastic. This filing metal, even aluminum, is very hard work.
Looks freaking great!
I would think filing aluminum would be the toughest. Doesn't it just constantly load up your file?
Natural is def the finish to go with on this beast.
I would think filing aluminum would be the toughest. Doesn't it just constantly load up your file?
Natural is def the finish to go with on this beast.
Oddly enough, the most trouble I had working with aluminum is with the drill press and the jig saw. Even running both tools at the slowest speeds, the aluminum would soften enough to stick to the drill bit, lodging it at the tip, which makes the piece I'm drilling stuck on the bit. Same issue with the jig saw - the aluminum softens enough to adhere to the saw blade, rendering it useless for cutting. I went through 3 blades before I realized what was happening and used "blips" on the trigger to cut through.
The files seem to self clean for some reason. I can see the aluminum filings fall off the file as I work.
And I agree about the color. Definitely going with natural.
Thanks, still working on them, but making progress.
I made a jig for the drill press to drill out the mounting holes.
All the holes are now drilled, and I started doing some final filling. It appears that each pickup cover is ever so slightly different, so I've matched each top cover with two bottom pieces and am filing them individually. I'm at the point now where I have to go to Home Depot to get some nuts and bolts to assemble these parts together for final fitment. Then it's time to start fitting the body pieces together, making a template for the final pickup positions and bridge position, and start gluing up the body.
It's getting so close I can hear it. Oh, wait, that's just my tinnitus...
For the best result with drilling aluminum you must use some lubrication, just a little WD40 might already do the trick.
Something I've done in the past with Al. An X-Y table for the drill press coupled with a mill bit will allow you to mill the Aluminum rather than have to constantly file. There are many places online where you can find an X-Y table, and you should be able to get a reasonable price.
Thanks for the tip, I'll need to try that next time. I didn't even think of using a lubricant.
I did some research about using my drill press as a mill, and people seemed to recommend against it. Something about the bearings not being able to handle the sideways pressure. They make x-y drill press vises at all different pricing points. I though to use an inexpensive one, as I don't need the precision, at least for this build. I think they start at about $50. But I was afraid to ruin the drill press, which is also an inexpensive model. Might be something to look into further at some point. A cheap mill is over $500.00, and there would be a few other tools I'd get before that, like a spindle sander and planer.
In the mean time, I picked up some nuts and bolts, and even found some springs at Lowes, and did a test fitting for the pickups.
I just need to make some sort of bottom plate, out of either ABS plastic, or I have a thin piece of aluminum I could use. This seems like it will work.
Thanks, it was quite an adventure. I think they are finally completed.
I decided to go with an aluminum bottom cover. This way, the entire pickup is shielded. Of course, last night, I figured I'd make plastic ones, so I ordered a bunch of shielding tape. I'll use some of that for the control cavity, so it won't go to waste.
A little more progress today. First, I drilled out the pickup wire holes through the body to the control panel.
The upper 2 pickups had too extreme of an angle, so I routed a channel for the wires.
Channel started. A little at a time.
Channel completed.
Now that the wire channels are completed, it time to glue the wings to the neck.
Starting to look like a bass.
I'll let that set for 24 hours and then I can start making up the routing template for the pickups. The bridge routing template it done. I may even have some hardware test mounted tomorrow.
The upper 2 pickups had too extreme of an angle, so I routed a channel for the wires.
Channel started. A little at a time.
Channel completed.
Now that the wire channels are completed, it time to glue the wings to the neck.
Starting to look like a bass.
I'll let that set for 24 hours and then I can start making up the routing template for the pickups. The bridge routing template it done. I may even have some hardware test mounted tomorrow.
I love when we get to the end of a weekend/long weekend and we get some updates from the activity.
Nice idea routing out the channel before gluing. Nice work around. How easy will it be to thread the wire though that channel and then through the drilled hole?
Nice idea routing out the channel before gluing. Nice work around. How easy will it be to thread the wire though that channel and then through the drilled hole?
It shouldn't be too bad. The pickup rout should be right over the wire channel, and I enlarged the hole from the channel to the control cavity to 3/8", and then angled the drill as I enlarged it. I'm hoping the pickup wires will find their way into the control cavity by just pushing them through. Of course, that all depends on how much glue made its way into the channel.
Using a thin bit of string or thread, with a small weight on, use gravity to get it to fall through the channels, then use the thread to pull the wire through?
Like one of those hidden weighted maze puzzles.
Thank you! That means a lot to me
Now if I can just finish this with no major mistakes...Thanks! I'm pretty happy with the way it's turning out as well
It's a pretty thin channel, about 1/4", so I don't know where I'd find a weight that small. I'm hoping the pickup wire will be stiff enough to just work its way through. Time will tell. If that fails, I'll see about the weighted string trick.
GrumpiusMaximus
I've Seen Things You People Wouldn't Believe
A fishing weight would be small enough, if you buy the lead-shot types. They tend to come in little rotating packs with a lot of different sizes.
The build is looking great now that it's glued up. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out!
The build is looking great now that it's glued up. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out!
