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Hey guys, I'm about to start on an IB-5, and have noticed that the back control cover will sit on top of the body. I would like to recess it flush with the back. I'm guessing a super shallow rout is the way to go, and I have a plunge router, but whats the best way to pull this off?
I would recommend making some sort of template based on the cavity cover. The one definitive recommendation I can make is DO NOT do it with a Dremel freehand.
Hey Fatmunkey, what Tony said do not do it freehand. I didn't realise the no recess till I it was all finished and bolting together so I had to dremel it without ruining the clear coats. Good you noticed this early. You will need a fairly shallow pattern following router bit and you will need to make a template. Best of luck !
I normally do a route into a scrap piece and rest the cover on the recess to fine tune the depth so the cover is flush with the body
Yep, making a thick template from the shape of the cavity cover and then using a bearing guided router bit is probably your best, and safest, option. Other alternatives will be more prone to error and it's a lot easier to fix a template than a body.
Also, the IB-5 has a pretty thin body so if you are planning on using any non-standard wiring/electronics just check your clearances before you start recessing the cavity cover.
Thanks guys! Keeping this build pretty vanilla as far as electronics go, but looking to further hone the woodworking skills. Will also recess the input jack with a soft curve, that's already started by hand :)
I think I'll grab some ply, make a thin template, then use the leftover ply to make it thicker, and slowly drop it down as suggested. This is the same process as for LPs as well I guess?
Have just done it frehand with a dremel on my IB-5 the other day... It can be done - take your time and don't rush. Used a router bit - 650 - straight cut, then clean up any edges with sandpaper and a small chisel. Big issue I found was that with the supplied cover, most of the screw holes sat over voids. In the end I had to oversize the area that I cut out. Second challenge is that it's not flat and the edge dies away to the edge of the guitar. It can be done - you may be more successful with a template, but it may take a bit of doing to get one that fits on the edge.