My first build: DTL-1

[McCreed]

You can get Timbermate, but it's normally very expensive.

Yeah, I guess being an Aus-made product, importing to the UK could make a big difference in cost.

Probably one of very few examples of something being cheaper here than in other countries.

Well... that and Vegemite!

[Simon Barden]

I'll have some Timbermate, but you can keep the Vegemite!

[king casey]

I'll have some Timbermate, but you can keep the Vegemite!

I'd prefer Vegemite...less likely to shrink under acrylic paint.

cheers, Mark.

[DarkMark]

Vegemite, now that would pop the grain.

[McCreed]

I'll have some Timbermate, but you can keep the Vegemite!

I'll see your Timbermate, and raise you a Marmite!

[Bakersdozen]

I'll see your Timbermate, and raise you a Marmite!

Your toast mate!

[McCreed]

Your toast mate!

Ok, ok... PEACE!



PEACE OF TOAST THAT IS - SUCKA!!!!

[gpjt]

Oh dear, I didn't plan to start a war! That said if anyone fancies doing a marmite vs vegemite side by side comparison for grain filling, I for one would read it avidly.

[gpjt]

A disappointing evening.

It started well; I'd bought the Vanson compensated bridge saddles that Simon mentioned a while back, and they arrived today. The screws that come with them are shorter than the screws that came with the kit; the kit has one 37mm screw, and two 40mm ones, but the screws with the new saddles are 32mm long. Photo for comparison:



Not a problem, the screws are the same diameter and screw pitch, so the old ones work fine:



So, with that sorted, it was time to position the bridge again. With a bit of careful jiggling, I got it looking good:



Then came the problem. I think I must just be very bad at drilling holes in wood; the ones I made were way off where they should be. With the first one I think I must have let the drill drift before it started cutting properly, and it got caught between the dowel and the original wood, so it was 3mm off. With the other, I was more careful -- and, importantly, drilled a 1mm guide hole first before doing the 3mm hole for the screw -- but it was still at least a mil out.

Was too frustrated to photograph at the time; have re-dowelled the holes...



...and will try again. At least the 3mm dowel fitted snugly, so I didn't have to sand anything to fit.

I've just bought a pin vice; £7 on Amazon with a bunch of bits. I fully expect the bits to be crappy, but I have a decent set already. The goal is just to get something that I can use verrrry slowly to drill the initial holes at 1mm, and then work up one bit at a time to 3mm. I'll do that with the bridge in place, with the centre screw in, and masking tape holding it straight. Surely even I can't cock that up...

[McCreed]

Well at least bridge looks nicely centred using the middle mounting screw.

Are you using the bridge as a template when you start your holes?

Also, if you think you may do another build, another small but worthwhile investment maybe a portable drill guide (if a drill press is not a practical option). And I'm sure you'd find other uses for it too.

There are heaps of different ones available but I just grabbed the first one I found in a google search. There are also DIY options as well. Check out U-toob...

Here's an Amazon AU one I found: Portable Drill Guide