Members Freeman Keller Posted May 13, 2018 Members Share Posted May 13, 2018 Some time ago forumite 6down1togo posted a thread about trying to put a thin wood veneer on the headstocks of a couple of guitars that he was assembling. He was experiencing some frustrations, I made a few suggestions and the thread kind of went away. I forgot about it until recently when I got a PM from 6 asking if I would be willing to help him put the veneer on. I said sure, we negotiated a bit and the necks and a sheet of really lovely veneer appeared at my house. [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_4490-2.jpg Views:\t1 Size:\t157.9 KB ID:\t32228258","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"32228258","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4490-2.jpg"}[/ATTACH] There are a couple of problems with veneers - they are very thin (this one is 0.020, about the diameter of a G string), they are not cut along the grain of the wood but rather peeled from a rotating log and they want to crack in just about every direction you can imagine. I cut of three pieces, traced the strat head shape on them and asked 6 which he liked. [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_4491-2.jpg Views:\t1 Size:\t207.0 KB ID:\t32228259","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"32228259","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4491-2.jpg"}[/ATTACH] In order to bend them to the curve by the nut I made a little caul and fired up my hot pipe. A hot pipe is just what the name says, a 2 inch piece of water pipe with a cap on it, a propane torch stuck in the other end and a damp rag draped over it. That is the time honored way to bend thin pieces of wood such as the sides of an acoustic guitar [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_4492-2.jpg Views:\t1 Size:\t142.8 KB ID:\t32228260","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"32228260","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4492-2.jpg"}[/ATTACH] When I was happy with the bent pieces I glued two of them to the heads of the the two necks. I sanded about 20 thou off the top of the head both to keep the thickness the same and to get all the finish off so I could get a good glue up. The caul is a piece of UHMW that glue will not stick to, lots of clamps [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_4496-2.jpg Views:\t1 Size:\t123.9 KB ID:\t32228261","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"32228261","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4496-2.jpg"}[/ATTACH] Pore filled it and shot 10 or 12 coats of lacquer. Buffed to a medium gloss - I'll let 6 determine just how shiny he wants it and do whatever else is needed. Looks like a couple of scratches need a little more work [ATTACH=JSON]{"alt":"Click image for larger version Name:\tIMG_4506-2.jpg Views:\t1 Size:\t158.4 KB ID:\t32228262","data-align":"none","data-attachmentid":"32228262","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4506-2.jpg"}[/ATTACH] I really like the way the color and grain flows from the rosewood fretboard. Into the mail tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sammyreynolds01 Posted May 13, 2018 Members Share Posted May 13, 2018 WOW nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted May 14, 2018 Members Share Posted May 14, 2018 That turned out really nice. I'm sure 6down1togo will be thrilled. I know I would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Emory Posted May 14, 2018 Members Share Posted May 14, 2018 Tasty as ever.... love your posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted May 14, 2018 Members Share Posted May 14, 2018 So cool! What a great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 6down1togo Posted May 14, 2018 Members Share Posted May 14, 2018 I can’t even begin to tell you how pleased I am. Freeman, you are an artist! I had literally put the two guitars aside because the plain headstocks were such a letdown. I considered buying Fender walnut necks and giving up on on the cool block inlays and bindings. I first tried contact adhesive which did not hold. I then tried some heat activated PVA glue on my next attempt and of course the veneer sprung loose in the cove behind the nut Fortunately, I was able to clean up both failed attempts and Freeman knocked it right out of the park! When Freeman sent me pics of the headstock outlines I thought ... geez he read my mind and selected the grain that was a near perfect match to the fingerboards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted May 14, 2018 Members Share Posted May 14, 2018 Freeman , your threads are the absolute highlight of this place.Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t_e_l_e Posted May 15, 2018 Members Share Posted May 15, 2018 thread title really does sound NSFW but the result does really look sweet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thatsbunk Posted May 15, 2018 Members Share Posted May 15, 2018 holy crap! those look awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted May 15, 2018 Members Share Posted May 15, 2018 amazing transformation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nice keetee Posted May 15, 2018 Members Share Posted May 15, 2018 beautiful work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 6down1togo Posted May 16, 2018 Members Share Posted May 16, 2018 thread title really does sound NSFW but the result does really look sweet He could have titled it "6down1togo gets his veneerial disease cured!" LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 Those look fantastic - nice job Freeman, and nice call / idea 6down1togo! Will you please post pics of the completed guitars once they're finished? I'd love to see them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted May 16, 2018 Members Share Posted May 16, 2018 I see what you did there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 6down1togo Posted May 17, 2018 Members Share Posted May 17, 2018 Will do! I have regained my will to partscast thanks to Freeman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted May 17, 2018 Members Share Posted May 17, 2018 How did you shave down the existing maple in an even way? Just sanding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted May 17, 2018 Author Members Share Posted May 17, 2018 How did you shave down the existing maple in an even way? Just sanding? Belt sander and calipers. The drum is almost exactly the same radius as the curve up to the nut.[ATTACH=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","title":"IMG_4495-2.jpg","data-attachmentid":32231713}[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted May 18, 2018 Members Share Posted May 18, 2018 Awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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