JohnH's LP-1S

[JohnH]

Got some more done this week. I grabbed some rasps and files from work and bevelled the waist a bit more, then sanded it smooth. Wasn't really sure how far I should go with the bevel, but this feels pretty comfy when I hold it, so I guess it's at least better than it was.



Also finished sanding the body, so put a soak/seal coat of tru oil on the front. Hard to get a good pic in full sun, but I think it's looking ok...

[JohnH]

I spent some time this week working on the spalted top. I figured that if I couldn't sand it smooth because of the thinness of the veneer, then it was worth trying to fill the holes instead. For this I made up a maple saw-dust and oil mixture.

It might be hard to see in the pics, but here's some before shots of some of the worst crevices



And here's an after shot - the holes have been filled, allowed to thoroughly dry, lightly sanded flush, and then the whole surface has had a couple of light goes with truoil and 400grit sandpaper



Sorry the lighting is so different in the 'after' shot, but hopefully you can see how well it worked

[Simon Barden]

Huge difference! Well done, sir!

[JohnH]

It was definitely worth the time! I'm much happier with the surface now

[Kick]

Well done job!

[FrankenWashie]

That's a great trick, must remember that one. Nice work JH.

[wazkelly]

Hi John, looks great.

Handy tip with Tru Oil is that after about 4 thick full strength coats you can then switch to 1200 grit wet & dry and use that to apply/sand/grain fill as you go. It really does a fantastic job with grain & pore filling plus smoothing everything at the same time. Rather than pour straight TO onto the body I dilute it 50/50 with mineral turps and pour a small amount on a 50mm square bit of sand paper, then drain that off back into the 50/50 mixture before wiping grit face down on the body or neck. Need to keep reapplying to the grit paper as things will get dry quickly. Yes it is a bit fiddly but once you get the hang of it you realise that you are effectively wet sanding as you go and after about 4 coats with 1200 switch up to 1500 x 4 more coats and then 2000 for another 4 by which time it will feel super smooth.

[gavinturner]

Looking great John! That's some good spalt you've scored there, and I'm impressed with the grainfilling trick. Will definitely be following your lead when I finally get a spalted project to work on.

cheers,
Gav.

[JohnH]

Thanks guys! The grain filling works a treat, and takes away most of the stress of sanding such a thin veneer.

I'm working on a variation of your advice Waz, applying a few coats of pretty thick tru oil and then wet sanding with tru oil and increasingly fine grades of sandpaper, but working up from 400 (I'm on the 1200 now), and so far I haven't diluted the oil (though I suspect I'll have to start soon). It definitely took a little while to get used to. Works great though - it's feeling pretty silky smooth! I really need better lighting in my studio though - I reckon I'd be about three or four days ahead of where I am if I hadn't kept noticing bits I'd missed due to the dim lighting at night

[JohnH]

In fact, I think I'll take the little guy and wander over to the Big Green Shed to look for some better lighting this arvo. I might look for another workbench and some shelving too - this hobby is starting to take up an awful lot of real estate!