Members richey888 Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Thinking of making my own from this: http://store.guitarfetish.com/Uncut-Pickguard-Material-Great-for-Custom-Pickguards-_c_224.html Any advice is appreciated! How to make the initial cut? Finishing off? Dremel? I don't have a jigsaw.....thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scott Abene Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Thinking of making my own from this: http://store.guitarfetish.com/Uncut-Pickguard-Material-Great-for-Custom-Pickguards-_c_224.htmlAny advice is appreciated! How to make the initial cut? Finishing off? Dremel? I don't have a jigsaw.....thanks again. Dremel could work if your hand is real steady. I would think that the following is needed: JigsawBelt SanderDremel Drill press Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cephus Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 I think it is difficult. I have butchered many. Keep the tool speed slow. If the speed is too high on the dremel the plastic melts and globs up. I am trying to build up confidence to cut a middle pickup hole in a HH strat pickguard. I am sure it will turn out {censored}ty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FoonkySteve Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Thinking of making my own from this: http://store.guitarfetish.com/Uncut-Pickguard-Material-Great-for-Custom-Pickguards-_c_224.htmlAny advice is appreciated! How to make the initial cut? Finishing off? Dremel? I don't have a jigsaw.....thanks again. Thanks for posting this Richey, i'll be watching this thread closely for advice too. I was looking to do the same thing, although i have beenput off the idea. A buddy of mines had attempted to cut just a small pickguard panel over his control plate, to cover up a slight body flaw, it looks ok imo, but he isn't impressed with it, and said it was a total nightmare to do. And this was just an oval piece with holes for pots and switches. I think im gonna send a templete to terrapin pickguards instead. I aint got the toolz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Greg.Coal Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 How to make the initial cut? Finishing off? Dremel? I don't have a jigsaw.....thanks again.Go to a Harbor Freight (or Northern Tools) for the lowest marked up tools. Tools I use: 1. an inexpensive hand-held jigsaw/scroll saw (like, US $15) with a finer blade (more TPI): 2. You need a number of clamps to hold you piece to a table top. You would mark off the outline with a sharpie; ir you back ply is white, you are in a really good position: 3. Though I have a router, I noticed that none of my beveled bits could make the bevel I wanted, so I use an upright sander and, holding the cutout pickguard in my hands, bevel with the top rounded part of the sander: 4. This wierd tool, which is often on sale for about US $15, can make the fine adjustments on the pickup cutouts when you need to remove like 1/16 of an inch: Well, that's a lot of tools, but I already have them. With just the hand-held scroll saw you should be able to come close - but you need a sanding or grinding tool to complete the bevel. Then, when drilling the screw holes, you will also want a countersink bit (a few bucks, too) to make the screws sit more flush. As someone else said, too high a speed such as a one-speed dremel can deliver, will cause melting, which is not a small problem. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members abitofinger Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 or... I used a hacksaw with a thin blade and used heavy tape to tape off what I didn't want to cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members caveman Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 In the absence of power tools, you could use a hand drill, a coping saw and home made sandpaper files to finish the edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sk8centilli Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 A jewler's saw and sandpaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members atrox Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Here is a thread I made years ago on how to quickly make a new guard. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?1837635-Making-a-pickguard-from-scratch-(Picts) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Here is a thread I made years ago on how to quickly make a new guard. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?1837635-Making-a-pickguard-from-scratch-(Picts) Great tutorial atrox. It's amazing what you can do with some simple hand tools. The band saw could easily be replaced with a coping saw, and the belt sander could be replaced with a sanding block and some sandpaper for a no power tools method. It would just take longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members atrox Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Great tutorial atrox. It's amazing what you can do with some simple hand tools. The band saw could easily be replaced with a coping saw, and the belt sander could be replaced with a sanding block and some sandpaper for a no power tools method. It would just take longer. Thanks. I have that small bandsaw for pickguards only. The big bandsaw is too harsh for the pickguard material. A coping saw would be perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bob411 Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 I make a template out of plywood, then use a laminate trimmer bit in a router. I can never cut around the pickups good enough. I leave the pickguard material long there, and heat the pickguard with a heat gun, from the back, and cut with a utility knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mnhhngbfs Posted February 28, 2011 Members Share Posted February 28, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members richey888 Posted March 2, 2011 Author Members Share Posted March 2, 2011 This is about my skill level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steadfastly Posted March 3, 2011 Members Share Posted March 3, 2011 If you're only cutting one, just rough cut it with a coping saw by hand, then go rent a router from Home Depot and use a 45 degree angled bit. Go to Stewmac and they have directions on how to cut it. This makes it easy for you. Just remember to cut out the template first or you will not get a nice job no matter how steady a hand you have. http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Pickguards/i-5243.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members everlight44 Posted March 3, 2011 Members Share Posted March 3, 2011 Depending on how thick the material, you may actually be able to cut with some "crash scissors". Best results would be a band saw and a sander though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Radar-Love Posted March 3, 2011 Members Share Posted March 3, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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