The slow build thread - my first ever build

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UrenragK
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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.
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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 . . .
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Also, I need a bigger bandsaw than a 250mm throat 🤦🏻‍♂️
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Partscaster
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Nice. look forward to watching it.
Is it gonna have a beer holder?
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Milkman
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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.
"Everything works if you let it." - Travis W. Redfish

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UrenragK
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Partscaster wrote: Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:50 pm 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!
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UrenragK
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Milkman wrote: Sun Sep 27, 2020 2:01 pm 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 :)
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TheIrritableLuthier
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I dig the body shape. I'm looking forward to watching this build!
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solteroblues
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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.
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rrobbone
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Ah, yes... the first build.

Have patience, and watch your fingers.
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Mossman
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Looking good so far!
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Milkman
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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.
"Everything works if you let it." - Travis W. Redfish

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UrenragK
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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.
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UrenragK
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Here’s the blocker 🐾 🐾
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Milkman
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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.
"Everything works if you let it." - Travis W. Redfish

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UrenragK
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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 :)
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uwmcscott
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I barely have time to build a sandwich for lunch so these kinds of threads always amaze me - looking forward to your progress.
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UrenragK
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Busy day in my garden workshop

Started hand carving with the Shinto saw rasp
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UrenragK
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The foreman was reasonably happy with my work
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mickey
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UrenragK wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 11:52 am The foreman was reasonably happy with my work

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More likely, he was just enjoying the "quality time" with you. :D
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UrenragK
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After quite a few hours with the saw rasp it was taking shape
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UrenragK
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And then to some sanding
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UrenragK
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And a test of the planned finish
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glasshand
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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.
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UrenragK
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glasshand wrote: Sat Oct 10, 2020 6:24 pm 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
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Following...
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UrenragK
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There will now be a brief pause, I need some stock for the neck.
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