Ive taken the plunge

[Hbg]

Yes. I have ordered my 1st kit. I go on holidays in a weeks time, so hopefully it will arrive at my workplace. I have ordered a STF-1 Stratocaster, plus:-

• shielding kit
• sanding kit
• steel wool
• capacitor/resistor

I am undecided on the finish, so I will order later as I am keen to start sanding. I have a Ryobi cordless orbital sander.

[JB RETRO]

Good luck ask lots of questions and take your time. Don't use your orbital too much!

[wazkelly]

Welcome Hbg.

As Retro said, try and avoid using the orbital sander as you may introduce unwanted swirl scratches quite easily and sometimes without warning as Basswood is very soft, almost as soft as pine. Go easy with the steel wool too as it breaks down into very fine particles that have a habit of showing up when not invited. Unfortunately it is the stuff to use for polishing frets but best done away from the rest of the guitar and pickups as the magnets will attract all the fine particles.

Cheers, Waz

[Dedman]

Welcome HBG
Random orbitals are OK if you are painting a solid colour (primers and colour coats fill a lot of tiny marks) but those 1/3rd sheet ones leave some horrible swirly marks. If you are staining stick with elbow power!