Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Sat Nov 23, 2024 2:52 am


All times are UTC - 5 hours





Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:42 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:36 am
Posts: 26
Location: United States
I finally finishing radiusing the tail block on the bouzouki which I'm building, but it was a difficult task to get it right. Do you have a preferred method for getting the correct radius on the tail block

With respect to the post below, I made the block by laminating 3 layers of spruce, with the middle layer aligned 90 degrees to the outer layers.

Thanks,

Eric


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:54 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Wed Dec 29, 2004 5:10 am
Posts: 2020
Location: Argentina
I generally draw a pencil line down either outer edge, then use a table top bench sander to sand a curve on the block. The pencil line is equal to the gap at the centerline formed when placing it in the mold. 1/8 inch gap, 1/8 inch line on the two outer edges. Sand an arc, check it, then touchup, usually done in three or four minutes. Good luck.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 1:35 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 5:02 am
Posts: 8551
Location: United States
First name: Lance
Last Name: Kragenbrink
City: Vandercook Lake
State: Michigan
Zip/Postal Code: 49203
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro
Eric,
I take a slice of 60 grit sand paper and tape it to the inside of the sides right at the butt joint. The sides are clamped firmly into the mold. Then by rubbing the end block on the sand paper it slowly takes the shape of the bodys curve. Does this make sense? I can dig up a picture late today if not...

_________________
Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:12 am 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:26 am
Posts: 2556
Location: United States
Eric, though my setup is a bit more of a production type thing, it would work well for a one-off builder as well. I made a sled with a radius on the front lip (all of my tail blocks are a 25" radius). I've got a table that attches onto the existing table of my edge sander. This table has a piece of L chanel on it that protrudes to make a lip. In operation, the sled butts against the lip of the table and I just roll it back and forth to get the radius in the block. I hold the block in with vacuum but there are many other ways of doing this as well. Let me know if you are confused by this and I'll get some pics snapped. Paul


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 3:51 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:43 am
Posts: 1524
Location: Morral, OH
I cut mine on the table saw. Set the blade angle tilt to 1.5* and saw the angle for dreads. Use 3-3.5* for OM's and more rounded bodies. I then touch it up on the belt sander if needed. The dreads are right on out of the saw.

_________________
tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:15 am 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:23 am
Posts: 267
Location: United States
What Paul said. Only my neck/end block jigs work on a 20" diameter disc sander. It's set up to take all sorts of jigs to radius braces, shape headstocks, do the end blocks, etc. If you want a pic or two, email me offline and I'll send some.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 4:19 am 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2005 3:49 pm
Posts: 908
Location: Canada
The dreads are right on out of the saw.

Tim, you're gluing flat, but angle cut blocks to radiused sides?

Still trying to put the square block in the round hole, eh? <g>


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:19 am 
Offline
Walnut
Walnut

Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:36 am
Posts: 26
Location: United States
[QUOTE=LanceK] Eric,
I take a slice of 60 grit sand paper and tape it to the inside of the sides right at the butt joint. The sides are clamped firmly into the mold. Then by rubbing the end block on the sand paper it slowly takes the shape of the bodys curve. Does this make sense? I can dig up a picture late today if not...[/QUOTE]

This is the method I used after roughly shaping the block. It worked, but took a lot of time and elbow grease.

Thanks all,

Eric


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 6:03 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2004 11:25 pm
Posts: 7202
Location: United States
Paul, I'd love to see a pic of your jig....

Thanks,,,

p.s......nice fishy! Is that a trout?

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 7:00 am 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:43 am
Posts: 1524
Location: Morral, OH
[QUOTE=Mario] The dreads are right on out of the saw.

Tim, you're gluing flat, but angle cut blocks to radiused sides?

Still trying to put the square block in the round hole, eh? <g>[/QUOTE]

Mario: I know it may sound weird but it works. I cut the angle only to the center of the block and then flip it over and cut the other angle. The gluing surface ends up in a very flat "V" shape. If I hold em up to a Martin print, it's a perfect fit. Works for me on dreads. Although it takes a 3*-3.5* cut on others with a bit of shaping on the belt sander for more curved models.

PS, I forgot to tell you that I have a reeeeely big hammer if all else fails. That's how I get the pegs in <g>

_________________
tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 10 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 56 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com