My first classical guitar

[John Parchem]

Are you going to carve the heel while the neck is attached to the guitar like Robbie does? I am not sure I would be brave enough.

[Kevin in California]

John, I thought I would do it that way this time. All those guys go to his shop and do it, right, so why can't we do it!!
I'm going to follow his course pretty much on this one. You see I did include a small foot for the back.

[John J]

Looking forward to seeing your progress. I really appreciate pictures of the process. I try to be a sponge and soak up anything I can. Detail is good.

[Kevin in California]

Tonight I routed out the headstock profile, drilled the tuner holes and routed out the slots....using the drill stock bit in the drill press. This really does work well. Pics are on the camera I'll try and post them tomorrow.

[Kevin in California]

Pics of the process.
I also now have a ledge routed on top of the heel block where the top will fit over the sides.

[ken cierp]

That drill stock bit is pretty interesting -- you should make a process video tutor.

[Kevin in California]

Ken it's not my idea, this is something Robbie O'Brien teaches and he has one of those Tips Du Jour videos on it. He learned it from his Brazilian instructor when he was learning to build guitars. It works pretty slick.

This picture shows the area on the top end of the heel block relieved the depth of the top using a router and then a chisel. The top here fits over the sides that are let into the heel block.