I use that tool to fit a piece of Emory cloth around to smooth up a metal burr. That is - if the "tool" is an axially cut bottle stopper.
AHG (and sometimes U)
- Thread starter AcornHouse
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AcornHouse
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Pat. Pend.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
With the headstock shaped the positions for the tuner holes was carefully measured and marked. Digital calipers checked the sizing for the tuner bushings and shafts, then out to the workshop. (Boy it's chilly for late April!)
Everything test fitted, I'll just need to take a little off the back to thin the headstock, which I'd planned for.
Everything test fitted, I'll just need to take a little off the back to thin the headstock, which I'd planned for.
Looking mov e lusWith the headstock shaped the positions for the tuner holes was carefully measured and marked. Digital calipers checked the sizing for the tuner bushings and shafts, then out to the workshop. (Boy it's chilly for late April!)
Everything test fitted, I'll just need to take a little off the back to thin the headstock, which I'd planned for.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Fretboard was glued on yesterday afternoon. Those locating pins turn that into an easy, no stress, job.
Then comes dusty times as the fingerboard gets a 12" radius.
First with 120 grit.
Then with 400 grit. I mark the board with pencil lines to check where I've been.
Then comes dusty times as the fingerboard gets a 12" radius.
First with 120 grit.
Then with 400 grit. I mark the board with pencil lines to check where I've been.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
And the finished radius.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
I'd planned on using gold fretwire to match the tuners and had gotten some of the StewMac medium gold wire, since LMI is no more as was my source for the EVO gold wire. (I've since found out that Jescar has discontinued their EVO products due to problems obtaining some of the gold producing alloy. (It's not ACTUAL gold ))
But with the size of the instrument the medium wire just looks too big, and will eat up finger real estate. Of course StewMac doesn't offer a narrow gold wire.
But, going through my stash of unused and extra bits I found enough narrow silver wire to do the job. And, surfing the fretwire threads on the ukulele underground forum, I found the reason I had it in the first place. Apparently I'd bought it for my concert ukulele build and found it impossible to nip the tangs for a bound fretboard. The ends just deform too easily. So I used a larger fretwire.
But, experimenting with other detanging methods I've found a way to use it; it will just be a little more tedious. I'll need to use an end nipper and file more.
But with the size of the instrument the medium wire just looks too big, and will eat up finger real estate. Of course StewMac doesn't offer a narrow gold wire.
But, going through my stash of unused and extra bits I found enough narrow silver wire to do the job. And, surfing the fretwire threads on the ukulele underground forum, I found the reason I had it in the first place. Apparently I'd bought it for my concert ukulele build and found it impossible to nip the tangs for a bound fretboard. The ends just deform too easily. So I used a larger fretwire.
But, experimenting with other detanging methods I've found a way to use it; it will just be a little more tedious. I'll need to use an end nipper and file more.
I am never less amazed at your work - just more impressed with your drive to perfection.
Looks fantastic, Chris. Silver fret wire will not detract from it at all, as the bloodwood binding will get all the attention (and the gorgeous fretboard, of course).
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This gives you a good sense of how small that leaf inlay is ! Beautiful neck.And, for a little size context...
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
If I use it. This narrow stuff is proving to be a bear to work with. It just wants to bend if you look at it funny, and there's not much to do any dressing. I like the size, but nothing else about it.
Man, I really get to appreciate how difficult working with the miniature stuff can be vicariously through you, Chris. Good luck! Maybe you can pick up some EVO wire on secondary market. There's gotta' be plenty of it in other folks' hands.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Already happy with my decision. Nipping the tangs of the EVO gold took about 15-20 mins. vs. the 1-2 hours it would have taken for the narrow nickel-silver wire because I could use my nippers.
Leaving a nice clean wire.
Compared with the mangled mess on the narrow stuff.
Leaving a nice clean wire.
Compared with the mangled mess on the narrow stuff.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Not that I've seen. The recommended method is to use end cutters to cut the tang as close as possible, which isn't close enough. Then a file would have to finish getting it down flush. A lot of hand work.
I'm sure one could be designed that could provide enough support so it wouldn't deform, but it would be an even more one trick pony.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
And frets are in and glued. I won't trim until tomorrow after the fishies have had time to dry.
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I love that binding more and more with every pic.
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
Now it looks like an 80's shredder guitar with jumbo frets!
I am so impressed with the attention to detail and the beauty of the results.
BTW, it is still possible to get least a few different sizes of EVO gold fretwire.
I was able to get 55090 and 57110 directly from Jescar, and their web shop shows some sizes still available.
beinhard
BTW, it is still possible to get least a few different sizes of EVO gold fretwire.
I was able to get 55090 and 57110 directly from Jescar, and their web shop shows some sizes still available.
beinhard