Ponch's ES5-V

[wokkaboy]

headstock looks good Ponch. We got the same drill press, for the price its great. Only problem it's not big enough to drill string through holes or bridge posts.

[andrewdosborne]

top work , top save on the machine head holes....
I am really enjoying this build and cant wait to see how it goes

also, where can one get veneer from??

cheers guys
OS

Cheers OS. Build should progress a bit faster now! I source veneer from flea-bay, for example

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3pcs-Mapl...MAAOSwmLlX2Rew

but I'm sure there are local suppliers (maybe guitaraust?)

[andrewdosborne]

headstock looks good Ponch. We got the same drill press, for the price its great. Only problem it's not big enough to drill string through holes or bridge posts.

Cheers Woks, yes good value drill press. I've got this mod lined up..... should help

http://www.routerforums.com/tools-wo...ification.html

[wokkaboy]

wow great idea Ponch, might look at doing that mod to our drill press. There are metal fabricators at work could help me mod the stand and the resting plate.

[FrankenWashie]

Cheers Woks, yes good value drill press. I've got this mod lined up..... should help

http://www.routerforums.com/tools-wo...ification.html

NOw that's some clever vyving, GLAYVEN!

[billb]

also, where can one get veneer from??
OS

Worth looking at mobs like this:
http://www.topveneer.com.au/
They also do a mixed box that will give you a heap of bits of veneer that are big enough for headstocks and similar jobs
http://www.topveneer.com.au/marquetry-mix-07kg-long-cut

[andrewdosborne]

Started on the headstock shaping tonight. Rough cut using a rasp - looks a bit wonky but will fine tune when sanded.

And also found a piece of rosewood veneer stashed away in my workshop.Could be useful dyed with some japan black....

Brains trust - is it simply a case of gluing this to the headstock and cutting to shape or visa-versa? I'm thinking less chance of splitting it if I glue onto the headstock face first (but harder to work with)?

And my-oh-my, I must have been on some fermented beverage looking at the old wonky holes again..........

[FrankenWashie]

Oooh that last picture is naughty! That will look sick with the inward curve of the headstock shape and the outward curve of the grain in the veneer.

Everything I've seen, is either rough shape and adhere or no shape and adhere. Give the grain pattern, i'd think you might want to concentrate on getting that centerline dead on and worry about the shaping later? i mean how thick is the veneer?

Scribe with a marking knife first, then a fine saw blade? rough out with a scroll saw or small coping saw and then sand to final profile?
Theres a range of options.

[andrewdosborne]

So what could possibly go wrong in putting a veneer on the headstock?

1. Attempt number 1. I discovered veneer is very brittle...the hard way...and it split length ways in the wrong place.
2. Attempt number 2. I discovered that once veneer is placed on headstock it moves around ALOT. Unclamping the next day revealed this characteristic
3. Attempt number 3. All good, not perfect but considering the steep learning curve ok. And the botched holes are covered....Nut in place to help position the veneer. Picked up some extra small clamps (you need loads of them). Tomorrow evening the nut is to be removed, the truss rod access hole dremelled out and machine head holes drilled.

Clamps on


And its in position

[andrewdosborne]

I then shaped the veneer to the headstock with some files, finishing off with 80 grit sanding. Once machine head and truss rod holes are drilled I'll take a bit of then veneer off depth wise (1/2mm or so) then stain with some diluted FW Brown Japan. So tempted now to try my hand @ inlay.....

And, I now have great respect for the luthiery skill of veneering, It's a toughy