Silent Guitar Scratch build ideas

[Zandit75]

Picked up some tasty Black Heart Sassafras veneer today from Corinna Timbers here in Somerset. 2mm thick, approx 120-130mm wide x approx 2.4mtrs long for $5.50!!


The only issue is the veneer is very wavy, and kicks up along one edge.
Any tips on flattening it out, because I can't glue it in it's current condition?

[wokkaboy]

nice looking sassafras Zandy ! I would cut of a length you need (add on a bit extra) and spray some water on both sides and place between 2 flat surfaces with something heavy ontop. Being 2mm thick it might be too hard to get flat.

[Zandit75]

Thanks mate, I try that. I have a 100t press at work, maybe that will work!!!

[wokkaboy]

wow 100 tonne press and it will measure about 0.6mm thick after that haha

I suggest you submerge the offcut in water for half hour should soften it a little. Some bigger wave shapes will be too stubborn to remove unless it was thinner.

[Zandit75]

Haha, yeah, I guess it would! I have some thick off cuts of metal here in the workshop that I could also use. Heavy enough to help flatten it I reckon.

All of the other veneers available at the sawmill were about 0.6mm thick, and I just didn't want to be laminating 4 or 5 layers.
Hopefully this works!

[wokkaboy]

sounds good Zandy, good luck, hope it works. I'd choose the waviest piece to start with and see if that works. If not try a flatter piece if one exists !
I've used blackheart sassafras for a scratch build and used veneers heaps for headstocks, I stocked up last time I saw it at the Perth wood show. Awesome looking grain

[Zandit75]

Primarily, I got it just for thickness, it just happened to be one of the prettiest woods available! If I screw it up too much, I can always paint it.

[wokkaboy]

you got enough there Zandy to make it work. It might take several pressing sessions and re-wetting before weighing it down before it gets flat. I'd leave it overnight the first pressing session

[JB RETRO]

Try the steam iron on hot. Lots of water in the iron and move it slowly over the timber while its steaming away. Do it on a flat surface , obviously, then when you think its ok place under your press over night. You can place absorbant paper towel either side to soak up the excess water before you press it. By the way I would try a test piece

[Andy40]

Cool headstock idea Zandit. kinda reminds me of the little sister by B&G guitars