Guitar Build 2017!

[Guitar Heel]

I like the idea with the maple neck.

 

[Elias Graves]

And since I cut the binding from the same board as the maple stripe, it'll be a perfect match in grain, color and figuring.
I have the tools now and the wood. Might as well.

 

[335clone]

Do it.

 

[instantsteve]

Gotta get some weight off this thing. It's coming in at 7 pounds right now. That makes maybe 6-1/2 or so when trimmed and I don't think I want a 9+ pound telecaster.
Now, Avery's blue one is a shade over 7 pounds and the body is just over 1-3/8" thick. It's either go thinner or chamber it out. I may do a little of both. Take it down to 1-1/2" and do a giant control cavity from behind.

Helium balloons.

 

[Elias Graves]

Check this out. I went to this site

http://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/

to make and print a fret scale template to use on the board.

Comparing to what's on the actual neck template...

At the nut

Mid way

21st fret

 

[Elias Graves]

Since they didn't match, I decided I better stick with what's on my master template.
Two for two. 19 more + nut slot to go...

 

[Elias Graves]

And now 5. This is tedious.
Good night.

 

[Elias Graves]

Using the new press for the first time to drill out the internal cuts on the template.

 

[Elias Graves]

Making progress. I need to collect more forstner bits. A 1/2" on this neck pickup cutout woulda been nice to have.

 

[Elias Graves]

About as close ad I can get with a bit.
I'll go get a 1/2" bit to do the middle channel there.

And some more fret slots. 10 in all now. So far so good.

 

[Elias Graves]

Two more!

 

[Elias Graves]

Dig it!

 

[Elias Graves]

Beginning to look like a neck!

You can see now how much the maple will dominate the neck.

 

[Elias Graves]

Mating up the neck to the template. I made "double sided tape" by applying masking tape to the backs of both pieces then spraying 3M super 77 adhesive to the tape faces.
It sticks well but you can pull it apart easily enough and leave no residue or holes for screws anywhere.

 

[Elias Graves]

Nice!

 

[Elias Graves]

I love my new drill press!!!

 

[Stratguy]

Looking good EG!

 

[Elias Graves]

Looking good EG!

Thanks! Sanded the neck down close to the line with a drum sander.
Did I mention I liked my new drill press?

 

[Stratguy]

Did I mention I liked my new drill press

You know, I'm not sure I remember that. Feel free to mention it again.

BTW, I so admire you for being able to do this. All I would do is produce pile after pile of scrap wood.

 

[Elias Graves]

Setting up the router and pattern bit to trim the neck shape. Wish me luck!