Ditson cutaway

[Dave Bagwill]

A link to the photobucket album for the Ditson cutaway build so far.
Back is braced; the top bracing is shaped and ready for gluing; the rosette is installed; the cutaway is being glued to the headstock.
I did buy a cheap vacuum press on approval - it works just fine, keeps the vacuum for at least 24 hours, easy to use and set up. Has a manual hand pump - I use my shop vac to get the bulk of the air out and then hand pump for 30 seconds or so and Bob's my uncle.
I'm using 1/4" braces a la D-35's, they are very light and I enjoy working with them.
I used CA for the rosette, Titebond original for everything else so far.
I am having a good time! :-)

http://s938.photobucket.com/albums/ad22 ... 20cutaway/

[Dave Bagwill]

Just a note concerning the vacuum bag kit I got from Roarockit.com - the 'thin air press'.

So far it has worked very well. It takes only a minute or less to get full vacuum - you can use your shop vac to pull out most of the air in about 10 seconds, then using the supplied hand pump for another 30 seconds or so and you are good to go. It makes a solid job of clamping, and holds that vacuum for at least 36 hours, which is as long as I have tested it.
Good for a production shop? Probably not. But for a guitar a month more or less, perfectly acceptable results.

[Dave Bagwill]

Preparing to finish.

[Ray Ussery]

Really nice set up Dave, I like your shop, guitar and pics...this is great! Maybe I gotta try that vacuum process if I can get to that point...I LIKE it! :)

Ray

[Eric_K]

Thanks for the pointer to the thin air press. I was thinking about making one, but that still cost quite a bit.

I like your ditson. Do you mind if I steal the your back idea?

[Dave Bagwill]

Please do steal my back idea - I mean, I stole it from someone else, so why not? :-)
Should we call you PiedmontSlim?

[Eric_K]

You can call me Eric.
I live in Piedmont and I used to be slim. :-)