USACG body finishing

[Lonnybass]

Looks great. You might want to check out brad point drill bits instead of spade bits, as I've found that brad bits are WAY more forgiving when drilling large holes like a jack without the benefit of being able to use a drill press.

Lonnybass

 

[bobdabilder]

going to hit the sunburst one more time before I prep it for clear. lots of thin spots in the airbrush paint.

 

[bobdabilder]

Looks great. You might want to check out brad point drill bits instead of spade bits, as I've found that brad bits are WAY more forgiving when drilling large holes like a jack without the benefit of being able to use a drill press.

Lonnybass

I'll check it out. yeah, that spade bit is not nice to work with.

 

[Lonnybass]

I'd take it a step further and say that the spade bits are pretty dangerous for freehand use...too many balance and control issues, and the potential for the blades to tear out huge chunks of wood or finger on you. I got a set of Dewalt brad point bits from Home Depot for like $25 and couldn't be happier with the increased level of control.

Lonnybass

 

[pilotjones]

If you're interested for next time, the way to make that hole without requiring cleanup is to use a Forstner bit rather than a spade bit.

[edit]Just read Lonny's response. I agree that spade bits are crazy to control freehand, but do they make 1" brad point bits?

 

[Lonnybass]

Just did some checking and the Home Depot kit goes up to 1/2 inch, which is the size I have used to drill out the side mounted holes to fit the Allparts barrel jacks.

Lonnybass

 

[bobdabilder]

Ok need some advice on ferrules. Purchased some 3/8 and the holes are a bit tight. Did i get the wrong sized ferrules. I realize i can drill the body and i have a small press but dont want to if i dont have to.
edit: the ferrules are .37 and the holes in the body are .35ish.

just press them in or ream a little bit?

 

[Hopkins]

If you're interested for next time, the way to make that hole without requiring cleanup is to use a Forstner bit rather than a spade bit.

[edit]Just read Lonny's response. I agree that spade bits are crazy to control freehand, but do they make 1" brad point bits?

+1

Forstner bits would be what I would use. But I would have gone a step farther and doweled that hole so the spike had something to bite in to. After you drilled the recess you could have screwed a screw in the dowel and pulled it out like a wine cork.

 

[pilotjones]

+1

Forstner bits would be what I would use. But I would have gone a step farther and doweled that hole so the spike had something to bite in to. After you drilled the recess you could have screwed a screw in the dowel and pulled it out like a wine cork.

I've heard of that, but had forgotten about it. Maybe this time it'll stick!

 

[DwaynieAD]

Much better!

I have been wanting to do a bass with a transparent purple finish. Looks like this might be the way to go. How much water did you mix with the dye? Did you use the powder or liquid Rit dye?

I'm always surprised with the purple love I see on TB. At least I know I'm not alone.

 

[mansjasont]

I'm always surprised with the purple love I see on TB. At least I know I'm not alone.

+1 on Purple love. Here's my build. Just assembled it last night. I have a gig on Saturday I'm playing it at, then I have to disassemble it and actually do the finish on it.

 

[bobdabilder]

Ok here's what i accomplished today with the help of a forstner bit.
I cut a dowel and plugged it in then carefully drilled the countersink to the correct depth and set my drill press to that depth.

 

[bobdabilder]

 

[bobdabilder]

checking the depth.

 

[bobdabilder]

 

[bobdabilder]

and touching up the paint.

 

[bobdabilder]

I did this based on suggestions in this thread. thank you all.

 

[bobdabilder]

getting close to clear coat.

 

[bobdabilder]

So I put some clear on the bass to see where i was. didn't lay down well so i wet sanded it.......and much of the sunburst. So i removed the sunburst and touched up the raw wood.

 

[bobdabilder]

Ok, I'll have to wet sand to prep for final coat but I'm pretty happy with this. pretty clean as well.