Hi all,
I am about to start my success kit based on an L-00, it's my first kit, I have very little woodworking experience and I'm very excited! For probably my first of many posts I have a saw question. I have been collecting tools together before I start as I know that if I'm on a roll one day with the build and I don't have the right tool I will think sod it and use whatever I have and make a mess! Anyway, I have only got as far as assembling the clamps and I have realised that the cheap coping saw I bought is rubbish and the very old B&D drillconvertedtojigsaw I have doesn't seem to have blades available for it any more; so I am considering a saw investment. I don't have the space or really the money for a band saw, am happy to use hand saws from a time point of view but if jobs are significantly easier and more accurate with a power tool then should i go for a jig or sabre saw? Before anyone suggests brands and models I will mention that I'm in the UK,
thanks all,
Mike
saw choice
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Dave Bagwill
- Posts: 5955
- Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:44 pm
Re: saw choice
Mike - it's good to have you on the Forum! We all look forward to helping you as best we can. From personal experience I can tell you that, if you follow Ken's online manual, and as questions - a lot of them - you will learn a lot, get addicted to building, and make a very nice guitar right from the start.
I think the 'sod it' remark was kind of a tip-off that you're across the ditch. :-)
With the success kit, I think a good coping saw would do what you need. You might find that an inexpensive small hobby miter box and saw - the brand here is Zona - (US $10 or so) would be a big help in this and future builds.
If your budget allows for more, let us know and we can go further in recommendations.
I think the 'sod it' remark was kind of a tip-off that you're across the ditch. :-)
With the success kit, I think a good coping saw would do what you need. You might find that an inexpensive small hobby miter box and saw - the brand here is Zona - (US $10 or so) would be a big help in this and future builds.
If your budget allows for more, let us know and we can go further in recommendations.
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Re: saw choice
thanks Dave,
this forum seems really great, and although starting from nowhere when I opened my kit and inspected all the parts I really felt like my first guitar was going to be a decent instrument! I have small saw and box similar to the one pictured below and also a coping saw as mentioned above but I think it may be a piece of rubbish, the blade bent cutting the cnc'd parts out for the cam clamps. The thing I want to do next is cut out a workboard like the one that comes with the success kit (but which I asked Ken not to send as shipping a big piece of MDF across the water seemed pointless and wastefull.) So I've marked around the stencil and added an inch but now i need to cut it out, is my coping saw just rubbish and I should get a better one or would something like this be a worthwhile investment?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BOSCH-PST ... 43b5f59d33
this forum seems really great, and although starting from nowhere when I opened my kit and inspected all the parts I really felt like my first guitar was going to be a decent instrument! I have small saw and box similar to the one pictured below and also a coping saw as mentioned above but I think it may be a piece of rubbish, the blade bent cutting the cnc'd parts out for the cam clamps. The thing I want to do next is cut out a workboard like the one that comes with the success kit (but which I asked Ken not to send as shipping a big piece of MDF across the water seemed pointless and wastefull.) So I've marked around the stencil and added an inch but now i need to cut it out, is my coping saw just rubbish and I should get a better one or would something like this be a worthwhile investment?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-BOSCH-PST ... 43b5f59d33
Re: saw choice
The jig saw will get the job done but you will have a bit of work to do refining the shape. However, that will be true of any saw you use.
A good tool to have is a router. Plus, with a flush cut bit, once you make one perfect template, you can use it to make molds. You will need a router for cutting binding channels anyway, so get get one!
A good tool to have is a router. Plus, with a flush cut bit, once you make one perfect template, you can use it to make molds. You will need a router for cutting binding channels anyway, so get get one!
Re: saw choice
I realized my last post might not make as much sense to someone who is building their first guitar as it does to me.
So what I mean is, you can easily shape a thin piece of masonite or .25" plywood to the shape of your guitar. Then, using a flush cut, or pattern cutting bit, use your template to cut thicker copies from whatever material you like: MDF, plywood, cardboard(??), carborundum, diamonds, cow patties, vegetable cream cheese, empty beer cans, fish filets, toe nail clippings, you name it!!
You can use that template to make a mold, a bending form, or with a large router bearing, a work board! Then the good times will surely roll.
Welcome to the forum MikeP! I am a bit of a smart a$$ if you can't already tell. But the info I gave is good...except for the list of suitable materials!
Good luck with your build! I'm looking forward to pictures!
So what I mean is, you can easily shape a thin piece of masonite or .25" plywood to the shape of your guitar. Then, using a flush cut, or pattern cutting bit, use your template to cut thicker copies from whatever material you like: MDF, plywood, cardboard(??), carborundum, diamonds, cow patties, vegetable cream cheese, empty beer cans, fish filets, toe nail clippings, you name it!!
You can use that template to make a mold, a bending form, or with a large router bearing, a work board! Then the good times will surely roll.
Welcome to the forum MikeP! I am a bit of a smart a$$ if you can't already tell. But the info I gave is good...except for the list of suitable materials!
Good luck with your build! I'm looking forward to pictures!
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Dave Bagwill
- Posts: 5955
- Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 7:44 pm
Re: saw choice
Don't waste your time with cow patties. They don't work; I've tried, and I was using the freshest ones I could find.
-Under permanent construction
Re: saw choice
That must have been messy!deadedith wrote:Don't waste your time with cow patties. They don't work; I've tried, and I was using the freshest ones I could find.