Kick's first build LP-1MQ Red Widow

[Simon Barden]

A friend of mine has just bought a 3D printer and I'm hoping he can make some truss-rod covers and the like for me. He's managed to design and print a spindle for the plastic feed reel to sit on (as his printer didn't have anywhere for it to go), so he's getting there.

[Kick]

Very little update... I really haven't done anything on the build due to circumstances, family happiness, my job and our ferrets.

But I 3D printed a Red Widow and she will on the headstock I think it will look awesome!

Question that pops my mind: I want to oil my build with Tung oil. I have seen some YT clips and read some things about this oil. The advice is to dilute the first two coats with the organic version of white spirit. Here we name this Turpentine Oil and it is made from bark of pine trees. White spirit is a product derived from petroleum and has a nasty smell.

What would you use to dilute the Tung oil?

[Drummerdude]

I feel your pain Kick if the ferrets are anything like my wife they don't like it when you are at work during the day and in the garage until 11 pm.. I couldn't imagine having to spread time across all those things.. but wait I do have three kids all in sports and dance and clubs.... I guess I can imagine ... if there were only more hours in the day how many great guitars would we have.. I hope you get some time soon..

I am going to spray a few more coats of poly on mine tonight and then back to sanding and then probably a few more coats .. then wait for curing.. maybe be done by end of June.

Good luck

[Simon Barden]

Yes, turpentine will be fine, but some people just suggest warming it up to make it less viscous. I wouldn't go more than 50°C, so sticking it in a bowl of very warm (not boiled) water before hand should help the initial coats penetrate. If you use turpentine, then look for gum turpentine. DingoBass recommends using this over standard turps. Try art stores for the best stuff rather than hardware stores.

[Kick]

@Simon: so warming up the oil has the same effect as diluting it?

[Simon Barden]

It makes it thinner and therefore penetrates the wood more easily. That's all the thinners would do for it. I've never done it myself so I'm just repeating what I've found on other forums but it makes perfect sense to me.

[Kick]

Ok thanks. I'll do it that way. Don't know yet when... I need more hours in a day

[wazkelly]

Hi Kick, never used Tung Oil but used Tru Oil instead and find that diluting it 50/50 with basic hardware store mineral turps works fine as it goes on nice and wet and dries off fairly quick. Works even better when applied in a wet sanding action with 1200, 1500, or 2000 grit wet & dry paper.

[Kick]

Oh boy... My hands are itching to get on with the Red Widow. And I noticed that BYOG posted her again on their Facebook, also waiting to see how she would look with some clear coats...

Please be patient with me guys and dolls!

[CascadiaGuitarGeek]

I'm waiting with baited breath Kick! In the meantime maybe you can 3d print an iron cross for me .