The slow build thread - my first ever build

[UrenragK]

Picked up a chunk of maple from Westonbirt Arboretum.

Day one of the build was sketching out some rough shapes, from this I plan to cut and carve.

Day two was a lesson in band saw etiquette. Had to straighten my blade as a long cut down the grain closed up and trapped the blade.

Got a basic shape out, almost . . .

Also, I need a bigger bandsaw than a 250mm throat

[Partscaster]

Nice. look forward to watching it.
Is it gonna have a beer holder?

[Milkman]

Nice! Are you gonna set the jack in that little notch at the bottom? I’ve got a body cut like that somewhere around here.

[UrenragK]

Nice. look forward to watching it.
Is it gonna have a beer holder?

Now there’s a thought, could do with an excuse for my lousy playing!

[UrenragK]

Nice! Are you gonna set the jack in that little notch at the bottom? I’ve got a body cut like that somewhere around here.

That’s the initial thought, yes

[TheIrritableLuthier]

I dig the body shape. I'm looking forward to watching this build!

[solteroblues]

kudos to you! I bought all of the equipment to build one, a ton of wood to build several, some templates to get good shapes, and I've never even started.

[rrobbone]

Ah, yes... the first build.

Have patience, and watch your fingers.

[Mossman]

Looking good so far!

[Milkman]

The best thing anyone ever told me was “it’s only wood”. Have fun! The one I built is my avatar, and I have a thread here someplace dedicated to number two.... heeheehee... number two.

[UrenragK]

Limited chance to get to work on this with the puppy, but started to form the outline a bit more.

The wood has some slight Spalton which will make for some interest, I plan to Danish oil it and leave it at that.

A long way to go, belly cut, arm cut, and some carving of the horns coming up.

Picked up a Shinto Saw Rasp for the rough shaping, and then using a Triton oscillating bobbin sander with various grades.

[UrenragK]

Here’s the blocker

[Milkman]

Are you building the neck from scratch?

I chose to build my neck first, so I could cut the pocket EXACTLY for that particular neck. I really enjoyed making the neck. It’s not that hard, just takes patience, but it’s very rewarding in the end.

[UrenragK]

I'm going to give it a go, yes!, I'm leaving plenty of material at the neck joint to make sure it works out in terms of the pocket

[uwmcscott]

I barely have time to build a sandwich for lunch so these kinds of threads always amaze me - looking forward to your progress.

[UrenragK]

Busy day in my garden workshop

Started hand carving with the Shinto saw rasp

[UrenragK]

The foreman was reasonably happy with my work

[mickey]

The foreman was reasonably happy with my work

IMG_4425 (1).jpeg

More likely, he was just enjoying the "quality time" with you.

[UrenragK]

After quite a few hours with the saw rasp it was taking shape

[UrenragK]

And then to some sanding

[UrenragK]

And a test of the planned finish

[glasshand]

Looking good! I only ever give myself a gentleman's C for woodworking, but yours is very nice. Building a neck looks like a real challenge; it would scare me.

[UrenragK]

Looking good! I only ever give myself a gentleman's C for woodworking, but yours is very nice. Building a neck looks like a real challenge; it would scare me.

Just grab a chunk of wood and have a go, worst case you’ve got firewood or sawdust!

Is it exactly how I imagined when I started out? No, I’ve had to adapt due to mistakes or not having the right tool,

Kind of you to say my woodworking is nice, I can imagine the guys that are good at it looking at this and having a wry smile! I’m a total beginner just giving it a go

[littlebadboy]

Following...

[UrenragK]

There will now be a brief pause, I need some stock for the neck.