Those are some pretty FB blanks, Dan. How much drying do they need to do from log to FB?
I'm looking forward to following your build, and how you deal with any issues with the body.
Keep us up to date!
![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")
Alex
| Official Luthiers Forum! http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/ |
|
| dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10138&t=43106 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | dzsmith [ Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Well, I reckon I'm in. I have a chunk of a Pecan log and my Mesquite should be dry in time. I plan to make a simple electric. The body face will be end grain, I'm still trying to figure out how to keep it in one piece. Thanks Jay, Dan Oh yeah, This,will be my 9th electric. |
|
| Author: | Joe Sallis [ Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
end grain face, one piece electric.... can't wait it see it... |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Here's a picture of the Pecan slab, some Mesquite, and a thing I made to surface the Pecan. I think I'll slice the slab in half and shove a piece of Mesquite between the top and back plates. I'm afraid of the Pecan coming apart at the grain lines. |
|
| Author: | Nick Royle [ Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Wow, can't wait to see that as a guitar! |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sun May 04, 2014 6:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
My plan is for a short squatty look. |
|
| Author: | cphanna [ Sun May 04, 2014 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
I would be afraid, too, as I can already see some checks working their way in from the edges. The potential problem is this: You appear to have a log segment with the center pith right in the middle. This makes an interesting visual at the moment, but I worry that it won't be stable--that, as it shrinks and dries further, the inevitable checks and cracks will show up. I am not sure how to arrest this process, but I know that bowl turners have a method for doing it. I would go to some lathe and bowl turning sites and consult with the people there about how to capture a center pith and arrest the shrinking process before I went any further on the guitar body. I would follow their advice. Seriously, please look into that. I don't think your worry should be about the grain lines separating. The separation will manifest itself as cracks radiating out from the center (the bull's eye) of that cross cut section. |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sun May 04, 2014 8:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
cphanna wrote: I would be afraid, too, as I can already see some checks working their way in from the edges. The potential problem is this: You appear to have a log segment with the center pith right in the middle. This makes an interesting visual at the moment, but I worry that it won't be stable--that, as it shrinks and dries further, the inevitable checks and cracks will show up. I am not sure how to arrest this process, but I know that bowl turners have a method for doing it. I would go to some lathe and bowl turning sites and consult with the people there about how to capture a center pith and arrest the shrinking process before I went any further on the guitar body. I would follow their advice. Seriously, please look into that. I don't think your worry should be about the grain lines separating. The separation will manifest itself as cracks radiating out from the center (the bull's eye) of that cross cut section. Thanks for the advice! I'll look into bowl turner's strategies. I think the checks you are seeing are pencil marks I made around the perimeter. I had a thought to insert dowels around the perimeter but have decided not to. Dan |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sun May 04, 2014 8:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Cut up a small Mesquite log last weekend. Pretty amazing stuff. It can develop checks while drying, but it does not warp or twist at all. I painted the ends and stickerd it up in the garage. These pieces are nearly quarter sawn and should make nice fret boards. A wet log 12" diameter x 4' long weighs close to 150 lbs. The sapwood must be removed quickly due to borers. |
|
| Author: | Alex Kleon [ Mon May 05, 2014 8:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Those are some pretty FB blanks, Dan. How much drying do they need to do from log to FB? I'm looking forward to following your build, and how you deal with any issues with the body. Keep us up to date! Alex |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Mon May 05, 2014 12:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Alex Kleon wrote: Those are some pretty FB blanks, Dan. How much drying do they need to do from log to FB? I'm looking forward to following your build, and how you deal with any issues with the body. Keep us up to date! Alex Thanks, Alex! I'm going to give them two months to dry and then slice one to see if they are dry. My garage is already up to 80F and I have a fan blowing on them. Kinda hard to slow dry stuff in Texas. BTW, I made the router jig per your instructions a while back. It works great. Sanding the end grain is going to be a long process. Dan |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
My Mesquite is dry. I have not decided yet to go with Mesquite or Pecan fretboard. Maybe a combo. |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sat Aug 09, 2014 5:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
After three weeks of being layed out with a back injury, I finally started back on the build. I hated to do it, but I cut the body into two pieces so I can add a Mesquite core. I am concerned about structual integrity. Good thing I have a sharp hand saw. I have some awesome curly Ash from a backyard tree I cut, but I'm not sure how to use it and avoid gaudiness. Dan |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
I made a little progress despite the 100F temperature. I cut out a piece of the body core that I will use as a "drawer" with volume knob and jack mounted to the outside edge surface. I glued the outside body plates to the core. The core is curly Ash sandwiched between Mesquite. I spent most of the sawing and planing logs to make the core and almost gave up on it. I'm still working out the headstock shape. Dan |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sat Aug 23, 2014 5:54 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Sanding and shaping the body. |
|
| Author: | Jfurry [ Sat Aug 23, 2014 8:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
I like the drawer , is that original or have you seen it before ? That pecan is beautiful! |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sat Aug 23, 2014 10:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Jfurry wrote: I like the drawer , is that original or have you seen it before ? That pecan is beautiful! thanks Jeff, No, I have not seen the drawer before, but I'm sure someone has done it. I wanted the volume on the edge rather than the top. |
|
| Author: | Jfurry [ Sun Aug 24, 2014 1:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
man i love originality, wish i had more of it |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sun Sep 14, 2014 4:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
Got a bit done on the neck and headstock veneer. Don't know if I will finish in time. |
|
| Author: | dzsmith [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 5:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: dzsmith's Texas Pecan and Mesquite |
I just finished an unplanned Tele build. Look's like I will not have enough time to finish the challenge build. ![[uncle]](./images/smilies/surrenderflagqv6.gif "Uncle") Dan |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 5 hours |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |
|