Zandit's First Build Thread

[Zandit75]

Thanks guys, appreciate the love!!
The waiting is killing me at the moment between coats. The back and sides can be done again, that cures very quickly, but the top is taking a little longer. Having said that, the weather has been crap this week.
Patience grasshopper!

[Zandit75]

And it begins!!
Yesterday morning, I began using the microfiber pads on the body of the LP.
I only played around with it for about a 1/2 hour, but I scrapped all the bindings on the body(found a small crack in the binding inside the lower horn), and went to 3200grit on the pads.
I'm probably being too cautious, but I'm going to leave it a full 24hrs between buffs to ensure any moisture that accidentally gets into any holes has had time to disappear fully before applying more small amounts with the wet and dry process.
Feeling silky smooth already, can't wait to see what it's going to be like at 12000!
I still have to finish the logo on the head stock, but that should come together easily enough.

[wokkaboy]

Hey Zandit keen to see some photo's of the body after the micromesh pads !

[Zandit75]

I'll post some up tonight!

[wazkelly]

Hard to believe how smooth things come up with micromesh pads until you start using them.

Where you are at you probably think that is smooth but after 8000 it is super smooth and once done with 12000 it will feel like a piece of glass.

One trick with using wet and dry is to have a soft cloth rag to wipe down the body as the milky film starts to build up and also remove the excess moisture. This is extremely important so that you don't drag the fine crap in the milky solution back across what you are trying to finish as there can sometimes be a few hard bits in it which could scratch things before you notice.

Always wipe the area dry after you have finished and if possible hang it up to dry rather than let it sit on one of the sides or faces so that it doesn't sweat from any moisture left behind.

[Zandit75]

Looks like I've been paying attention Waz, cause that's exactly what I've been doing, and just as you mentioned, I thought it was already smooth, but I'm now up to 8000, and you're right, it is silky smooth!!






The table in the background is the one I built using the same stain as used on the back of this build. It has taken a beating over the years, and it's only laminated pine, so is pretty soft and dents and marks easily.
Still happy with it though!!

[UpperCaseH]

That's looking crazy awesome! It's hard to comment on anything other than that beaut spalted (flamted? splamed?) top, but I think the black-with-grain-showing back looks amazing too.

[Zandit75]

That's looking crazy awesome! It's hard to comment on anything other than that beaut spalted (flamted? splamed?) top, but I think the black-with-grain-showing back looks amazing too.

Thanks bud, I'm pretty chuffed to be honest!
I think Andy patented the word Splamed a couple of pages back, so be careful on how much you throw that around!!!

[wokkaboy]

very nice Zandit, can't wait to see it strung up with the hardware on

[Chuck]

It is fantastic Zandit - I love the way you've worked with some fantastic raw materials and enhanced them. Like Wok says, I can't way to see it all together.