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Winter Build Off 2020 - Get Ready

#221
Great tips, the wider base is certainly something I need to remedy. The table I made will help with that. That and getting the template perfect. Thank you for these bits.

It's good to reiterate doing it piece wise and cutting the majority beforehand. Both I learned how important that is on my last build.

I think my major shortcomings last time was not getting the template "perfect" (and using 3/8-3/4" plywood as a material) beforehand and smoothing it out just right. I certainly didn't go slow enough and sanded out a bit much a couple times. Haste makes waste.

I admit that despite being good with my hands and decent with tools, sanding in this manner, especially with spindles and belts, is something I'm totally new at. I learned the hard way to do it in easy passes instead of trying to get specific spots. I guess I just need lots more practice and to have a better starting point with a better template.

MPU said:
I forgot to say the old wisdom; 90% of bass building is sanding.
Click to expand...

Couldn't be more true. Double and triple checking is important, but it was apparent that sanding was most critical.
 
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#222
So, something like this would actually fit the bill. :woot:

20190826_194855-jpg.jpg


Jokes of course. I look forward to the results.
 
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#226
dwizum said:
MDF is really the best template material. It's easy to work, you can get a nice smooth edge, it has no grain or texture, and it stays nice and flat. I usually use files to clean up freshly cut templates, it's faster and more precise than sanding.
Click to expand...

Good to know, I'll be transitioning my templates that way when the time allows. I have a bunch of hardboard around, but I'm guessing that is probably too thin.
 
#230
Novarocker said:
One question I've always had for everyone that seems to get amazingly smooth curved edges is how they do it? I'm referring to the outer side edges. Even my templates leave something to be desired on their curves. I always end up smoothing it out with my belt sander, but it's never as good as a production piece. Granted I'm a failed perfectionist hahaha!

Is it just patience and sanding it smooth till there's no oddities/bumps/low spots? I think in all my builds I've been too rushed and not taken enough time to sand the curves right.
Click to expand...
I cut the template quite close to the line, and then I bring just the top 1/4-1/8" in to the perfect line with a file. I then run my bearing around just that perfect edge, and it cleans up the remaining edge of the template perfectly.

At that point, there is typically a little burr line around the top of the template (from the space between the bearing and the bit). To address that burr, I flip the template over and rout around the edge again, this time catching the bearing on the perfectly smooth just-routed edge of the template. This second go-round eliminates the burr and gives me a flawless template that is precisely to the line that I originally filed to.

I'll have to put a series of pics up to show this at some point. It's way faster than sanding a template to the line with an oscillating spindle sander or robo-sander, although that method works perfectly well also. A full body template takes me 20 minutes from drawing on MDF to completion. The process described works best on MDF though, due to the fact that it's relatively soft. :)
 
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#232
BishopJP said:
Quick clarification of the rules...

Am I allowed to use a laminated neck blank that I already have glued up or do I need to start from scratch?
Click to expand...

This question was raised earlier, and we agreed that this would be permissible, as long as the blank hasn’t been shaped yet.

I plan on taking advantage of this myself!
 
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#234
BishopJP said:
Quick clarification of the rules...

Am I allowed to use a laminated neck blank that I already have glued up or do I need to start from scratch?
Click to expand...

MPU said:
When you can use a ready made neck from a manufacturer I see no reason why you can’t use a ready made neck blank.
Click to expand...

ctmullins said:
This question was raised earlier, and we agreed that this would be permissible, as long as the blank hasn’t been shaped yet.

I plan on taking advantage of this myself!
Click to expand...
In my case, my design calls for a tapered centre laminate, so I have to wait until the start to make my blank. :angel:
 
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#236
rojo412 said:
As long as the laminated blank is flat (no scarf joint or shaping or routing done), it's fine to use. I believe that was the consensus.
Click to expand...
@Scoops and I discussed my tapered blank at the beginning and I'm pretty sure it was left at tapering the core after the start of the build-off rather than before, even though it will still result in a flat blank. I'm good with it either way though...it's only a few minutes work to taper the blank and glue it up, so no major advantage doing it before the start. I'll have plenty of other things to do in the meantime... :woot:
 
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#237
Beej said:
@Scoops and I discussed my tapered blank at the beginning and I'm pretty sure it was left at tapering the core after the start of the build-off rather than before, even though it will still result in a flat blank. I'm good with it either way though...it's only a few minutes work to taper the blank and glue it up, so no major advantage doing it before the start. I'll have plenty of other things to do in the meantime... :woot:
Click to expand...

Yes, taper after the start

Here's one part of the conversation....
Winter Buildoff 2019 Voting - Final

and here's an elaboration on the conversation
Winter Buildoff 2019 Voting - Final

EDIT: For some reason, the links to the pages are off a bit.
 
Last edited:
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#239
Novarocker said:
One question I've always had for everyone that seems to get amazingly smooth curved edges is how they do it? I'm referring to the outer side edges. Even my templates leave something to be desired on their curves. I always end up smoothing it out with my belt sander, but it's never as good as a production piece. Granted I'm a failed perfectionist hahaha!

Is it just patience and sanding it smooth till there's no oddities/bumps/low spots? I think in all my builds I've been too rushed and not taken enough time to sand the curves right.
Click to expand...
CARVE ...The curves .....Shinto rasp...
....loooong sensuous strokes....
Listening to some Luther Vandross...
...maybe Supremes...
And a sense of the Golden Ratio
Treat it as a sculptoral endeavor.
Or the scene from "Ghost"... whatever.
Then sand it.
 
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#240
Rôckhewer said:
CARVE ...The curves .....Shinto rasp...
....loooong sensuous strokes....
Listening to some Luther Vandross...
...maybe Supremes...
And a sense of the Golden Ratio
Treat it as a sculptoral endeavor.
Or the scene from "Ghost"... whatever.
Then sand it.
Click to expand...
I was afraid you were going into NSFW territory there.:eek:
 
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