concertman

Update

Usually after I haven't posted in a while I start with something that acknowledges the fact with some kind of statement saying I'm going to try and do more posting. Whatever. Really, it is what it is. I'll post when I feel like it and won't when I forget that my blog even exists. That's just the way it goes right? No pressure. It's just here for my own "use".

Anyway...


I have decided that I want to learn how to build guitars. Like most middle aged white men I should have a hobby that involves either cars, gardening, or woodworking. I figured building guitars (Lutherie) fits into woodworking so I can still keep my middle aged white man status.

To be able to do some woodworking I needed to have a place to do that. In the house wasn't going to work because we don't have the space and the saw dust would be horrible. We don't have much space outside but I saw plans for a "shed" that really stood out to me so I decided that was the answer. I say shed, but it's kind of an open air work-bench that closes up.

So, before I could build a guitar I had to build the workspace first. Forunately my parents were visiting for a few weeks and my dad is always up building something. So this is what we got up to...

The initial framing of the woodworking workbench, showing the base and vertical supports.

The workbench with the roof and back paneling installed, nearing completion.

The completed workbench with the front panels closed.

The completed workbench with the front panels open, revealing the workspace inside.

A close-up of the workbench, showing the details of the construction.

The shed turned out really good. I'm super happy with it. I need to finish painting it.

Next will be trying to figure out a mechanism that lifts the top and holds it in place. Right now it's just a 2x4 which isn't super safe and takes a lot of work to lift.

With that in mind I've already started on building.

We recently had the loft in our house converted and I was able to salvage some timber. I was able to take one of the roof joists and turn it into something that will hopefully be the body of a '72 Custom Tele style. Of course in the end is going to be customised, but we'll see how it comes out.

Right now I'm just trying to get the rough shape out.

First was the glue up

Two pieces of wood being glued together to form the guitar body.

The glued-up guitar body clamped together and drying.

Then some planing

Planing the guitar body to create a flat surface.

And some more aggressive material removal...

Using a hand saw to remove material from the guitar body.

Don't buy cheap tools. You get what you pay for

A broken, cheap tool, illustrating the importance of quality tools.

Anyway, more to come (I would say soon, but I have no way of knowing when I'll update this, so just subscribe to the RSS feed and get it in your reader when it comes out!)