TL-1HA first build

[Groovyman32]

Looking good. Look forward to seeing it with the clear coat!

Thanks! With wipe on poly, it's the same process as Tru-Oil, right? Keep building up many layers until the shine happens?

[McCreed]

Thanks! With wipe on poly, it's the same process as Tru-Oil, right? Keep building up many layers until the shine happens?

The short answer is yes.
Everybody has their own method, but I don't sand between coats and only do the first sand after there are a sufficient number of coats that it starts to develop a sheen. This could be 6-8 coats (YMMV).

From there I only sand as needed to de-nib or remove debris, and again not necessarily between every coat.
When I say "sand" I don't actually use sandpaper, but synthetic abrasive pads (synthetic steel wool). If I had to use sandpaper, it would be wet/dry P800-P1000 used dry and very light pressure.

As I said there are as many methods as there are builders. This is just mine. Some will agree, others not...

[Groovyman32]

Thanks - I'm hoping to start this in the next couple of days

[Groovyman32]

I put the first poly coat on just now - I'm not sure I've done it properly. I used 50/50 poly/white spirit.

The top and back seemed to go on thinly and evenly, but on the sides it just didn't seem to want to stick. It was evaporating off as quickly as I was wiping it on.

Is this normal? Perhaps the black stain is making the effect more apparent on the sides than on the top and back?

I’ll try another coat in a few hours’ time.

Also, another noob question. Of course, I mixed way too much – how long will it be usable for? I wrapped it in an airtight plastic bag to try to prolong its life.

[McCreed]

The top and back seemed to go on thinly and evenly, but on the sides it just didn't seem to want to stick. It was evaporating off as quickly as I was wiping it on.

I can understand a different appearance on the end grain, but not the sides where the grain is running the same as top/bottom.

Also I would say the poly mixture is absorbing not evaporating (or at least should be). Presuming you use the right solvent, the UK equivalent to turpentine not something like denatured alcohol (aka methylated spirits) which will genuinely evaporate rapidly. However I'm not sure that poly and alcohol would mix without a very obvious and immediate reaction.

With the end grain, it should eventually start to build up and look the same as the long grain. It would certainly have a different appearance with only one coat. Wipe on poly (and Tru Oil) will build up slowly as each coat are literally only microns thick.

Also, another noob question. Of course, I mixed way too much – how long will it be usable for? I wrapped it in an airtight plastic bag to try to prolong its life.

IME, my batches have lasted anywhere from a few days to a week+, but our respective climates a are quite a bit different. I have no idea why mine have gone off at varied rates, and the end results range from an obvious change in colour and slight thickening, to a complete gelling.

[Groovyman32]

Okay maybe that’s what I’m seeing, the sides do seem better. The second coat went on the sides and ends much better then the first - so I think I might be okay. I’ll persevere for a couple more coats.

In the meantime, in between coats I did a thing. I was browsing around and ended up ordering a gotoh bridge, CTS pots, some orange drop caps, switch craft socket and switch and some SD phat cats HB sized P90s.

So now I’m really committed to making this thing play well!


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[McCreed]

Okay maybe that’s what I’m seeing, the sides do seem better. The second coat went on the sides and ends much better then the first - so I think I might be okay. I’ll persevere for a couple more coats.

In the meantime, in between coats I did a thing. I was browsing around and ended up ordering a gotoh bridge, CTS pots, some orange drop caps, switch craft socket and switch and some SD phat cats HB sized P90s.

So now I’m really committed to making this thing play well!


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Hah! These things happen...

[dozymuppet]

A mere slip of the mouse. There's not a lot you can do about that unfortunately...

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[Groovyman32]

Here's coat three still wet.



I very lightly sanded the top and back with P800 before the third coat as there were some drag marks from the second - that seems to have sorted them out.

The sides and ends are taking the poly well now but look a bit rough. Not sure if it's the grain or bumps (innies or outies). I guess sand those on the next coat?

How often should I be changing the rag? I'm still using the same one and just sealing it in a plastic bag between coats?

And what should I be using to protect my lungs from this stuff? I'm using a lightweight DIY mask with the shed door wide open - so well ventilated - but I'm still coming out with my head spinning... lightweight

Must tidy up the shed

[dozymuppet]

Looking pretty primo there

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