So I've decided to build a Les Paul

[MojoMonster]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Just posted another update: Preparing the Mahogany Body and Maple Top
May have another at some point tonight.
http://theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com/

Cool job.
I'm doing pretty much the same thing but with a bolt-on design of my own.

IIRC, that router bit from Stew Mac is really designed for pickup/neck cavity cutting, that's what it's short. I picked up the set, but haven't used them yet.

Since you have a router table, what you need is something like this.
I couldn't find a 2" long pattern cutting bit(my wood was just under 2" thick) so I used a trim bit I found at Woodcraft that worked like a charm.

And yes, that tape is very sticky. I used small squares of it.

Good luck!
MM

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Wow man, you are doing this job very well and very thoroughly

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Interesting blog, well worth reading -- thanks for posting it!

Hey, your shop looks a lot like mine I've got the exact same bandsaw as you. It's a sweet machine, huh?

Nice blog, keep the updates coming.

It's actually my dad's shop. He's was a corporate guy until he retired but he's always liked to do some woodworking. When he reitred he really bought some nice stuff.

Thanks for the encouragment. This should be an interesting process.

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Cool job.
I'm doing pretty much the same thing but with a bolt-on design of my own.

IIRC, that router bit from Stew Mac is really designed for pickup/neck cavity cutting, that's what it's short. I picked up the set, but haven't used them yet.

Since you have a router table, what you need is something like this.
I couldn't find a 2" long pattern cutting bit(my wood was just under 2" thick) so I used a trim bit I found at Woodcraft that worked like a charm.

And yes, that tape is very sticky. I used small squares of it.

Good luck!
MM

I actually have an inch long version of that bit. It's in the router table right now.

I still think the teflon tubing to hold the bearing on is squirrely. You might be interested to know what I'll be using to route the binding. I'm going to use a half inch template router bit three eights bearing. This theoretically should produce a eighth inch channel. I just ran a test cut and the channel is actually a little bigger than an eighth of an inch. The binding I'm using sits just a little bit bigger than the channel and should be about perfect when it's scraped down.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

I still think the teflon tubing to hold the bearing on is squirrely.

I'll keep an eye out when I use it.
I've got to touch up the corners of the pickup routes on my templates.
I may actually have a bearing collar that will fit if it does look iffy.

going to use a half inch template router bit three eights bearing. This theoretically should produce a eighth inch channel. I just ran a test cut and the channel is actually a little bigger than an eighth of an inch. The binding I'm using sits just a little bit bigger than the channel and should be about perfect when it's scraped down.

Nice.
I picked up some flamed maple binding that is just too thick for the curves on my design. I suspect it would work well on a dreadnaught, tho.
I'm going to try trimming it down and either double binding it maple/maple or put an ivory plastic on the outside of the maple.

I made my own binding bit with a small rabbiting bit that came with a box o' bits I bought long ago.

To make thinner binding channels I'll just wrap tape around the bearing.

If nothing else, this project has been a great excuse to buy more woodworking tools.

One tip I read, though it's too late for where you are now, is that before you do the initial band sawing of the body, to outline the template with a pencil inside a small washer. That gives you a uniform, roughly 1/8"-1/4", safe are outline to band saw to.
After that I just hit it with the 2" trim bit nice and slow and it worked like a charm.

Oh, I wanted to ask if you thought about steaming out the dents in the body caused when you pried up the template?
I read somewhere that you can do this with a standard electric iron and a damp rag.

Keep a steady hand.

MM

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

I've never heard of the steaming technique. I wasn't too worried about the dents as they were on the glue side. I just filled them with plastic wood and am calling it good.

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Two new entries are up on the blog:

www.theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com

 

[WhoFan]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

carving the top is a royal pain in the ass, good luck bro. i chose a beautiful piece of hard maple that was a nightmare to carve when i was building a les paul style guitar

ya those little fiddle planes can be hard to use on hard maple arch top builds eh!!!! i saw a piture of a guy who made LP style guitars and he used a disc grinder with a sandpaper disc on it to do the arch top... he did really well at it too...!!!! nuts!!!

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

New entry up. www.theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com


This one deals with gluing.

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Two new blog entries up the first dealing with cutting the binding channel and the second dealing with cutting a channel that will serve as a guide for the carving. There is also a blurb about the jig I'm building to cut the neck angle.

http://theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com/

Here are a few of pics:

 

[Aceman]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

This is a MANLY project!

 

[Guest]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Real men don' play Les Pauls. They build them. Keep it up, I'm learning a lot

 

[Aceman]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

I just finished reading this. OMG!

:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

I bow a thousand times before your awesomeness!

I can't wait to see how this thing turns out.

Two (humble) requests:
Can you keep track of
a) Material costs and
b) Personal time spent

I think it would be really interesting to know...

 

[SoundAt11]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Very nice and well thought out build so far

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Very nice and well thought out build so far

Thanks. Hopefully it stays that way. hahaha

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

New blog entry. Learn how I cut the neck angle.

http://theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com/

 

[JOLLY]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy

I bow a thousand times before your awesomeness!

No kiddin man. I wish I could do something like that. That's just awesome.

 

[shaka]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

New submission to the blog. Read about me screwing up the neck mortice. I have two more submissions to write tonight.

www.theaccidentalluthier.blogspot.com

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

shaka - thanks so much for sharing your blog. Great work so far!

Chip

 

[d1dsj]

Re: So I've decided to build a Les Paul

Awesome.... now that's a project!