Chuck’s ST-1M “Surfcaster” build

[andrewdosborne]

Looking really nice Chuck especially the pickguard!

I notice a drill press in one of the pictures, I assume you'll use this for the bridge holes. Is the throat depth deep enough on the drill press so able to reach the bridge holes? Reason I ask is that a drill press is next on my 'investment' list.. a lot of cheaper non commercial drill presses have a very shallow throat depth.

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[Chuck]

Looking really nice Chuck especially the pickguard!
I notice a drill press in one of the pictures, I assume you'll use this for the bridge holes. Is the throat depth deep enough on the drill press so able to reach the bridge holes? Reason I ask is that a drill press is next on my 'investment' list.. a lot of cheaper non commercial drill presses have a very shallow throat depth.
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Hey Andrew, the one I've got is a cheapy from a green shed sale a few years ago - an Ozito DP350. The throat depth is approx 11cm, so not huge. I'm not sure if I've ever used it for bridge holes - I won't be able to on this one I don't think - and have been reasonably happy hand drilling those anyeay. The thing I'd really want one for would be a string through body where the holes have to be so perfect - thankfully I haven't had a build like that so no need to upgrade just yet.

[andrewdosborne]

Thanks Chuck. I was looking at the same one for smaller jobs. It looks like will suffice for head-stock machine hole (re)drilling, f-type bass bridge drilling and for making drilling jigs for holes deeper than the press throat

[Chuck]

Thanks Chuck. I was looking at the same one for smaller jobs. It looks like will suffice for head-stock machine hole (re)drilling, f-type bass bridge drilling and for making drilling jigs for holes deeper than the press throat

Yep, mine is very much a smaller jobs kind of thing.

[Dedman]

great minds think alike, I have a headstock very similar drawn up for my surfcaster/jagmaster when it arrives next month (except inverted)

[Chuck]

great minds think alike, I have a headstock very similar drawn up for my surfcaster/jagmaster when it arrives next month (except inverted)

Sweet - look forward to seeing it! Headstock shaping is an interesting thing for me as there such a fine line in getting it right. This one required removing way more wood that I originally wanted to, and I may even do a fraction more although I know I'm very close to crossing that line!

[JB RETRO]

I reckon slightly more in the curl closest to the nut. A little more tubular bells

[Chuck]

I reckon slightly more in the curl closest to the nut. A little more tubular bells

I agree JB, just needs a little "hook" to that wave!

[Chuck]

Bit of progress in the past couple of days... final body shaping was completed, then the normal procedure: sanded with 80, 120, 240, 400, wiped down with damp cloth, 400 sand again, wiped down with a timbermate slurry, then sanded with 400 again. I then vacuumed the body to get rid of all the dust and wiped it down with a clean cloth. Final step was attaching my "painting stick", so if the wind dies down a bit later I'll do the first primer coat.



I also finished off the pickguard as it will be following the next few painting steps alongside the body. I first finished drilling all the relevant holes, sanded with 240 and 400, wiped down with damp cloth, 400 sand again, wiped down with a timbermate slurry (probably didnt need to do the timbermate but figured why not!), then sanded with 400 again.

I'm really looking forward to the painting stage with this one so very happy to get to that point...

[wokkaboy]

nice shape Chuck looks cool. So the switch is going near the lower horn.

Look forward to the colour coats after the primer, what colour will this be ?