I have yet to make a router template for the Les Paul body blank - so this build is on the back burner for a couple of days. In the mean time I started working on the other body blank, which will be a PRS shape.
As you can see, I followed the same process for this build as I did with he last one: trace the body shape, make relief cuts all along the trace line, and follow the trace line with the jig saw to get the rough shape of the body.
The good news is that I already had a PRS template from an earlier build.
In brief, you trace a real PRS (or whatever guitar you want to duplicate) onto a workable medium that won't warp easily. I used MDF wood but plexiglass would also work. Then you cut it out using a band saw, jig saw, or similar sharp-toothed device. You can then smooth out the lines/contours with sandpaper - either using a belt sander, drum sander or even just a a bit of sand paper wrapped around a dowel. Being able to get into the curves is important - so a square block won't take you the whole way.
I used a "drum" sander attachment for my drill press and sandpaper wrapped on a dowel. It worked well but the template is still made of wood (in my case). If you are not careful you can damage it - which I did on a previous build with the router. So my template is not perfect - but it is good enough to work with.
The usual way to use a template like this is to tape it to the body blank using double sided tape. I probably used too much for this template (about 6 pieces running from the horns to the butt). It made removing the template a bit harder than I had planned on - but I didn't have to worry about the template coming away from the body! I ended up using three different router bits with this body blank. All of them had ball bearings on them to trace the template. You can buy them at Stew Mac, Rockler, or Woodcraft. You can also get them at big box stores. Click on those links to see what the router bit looks like.
The first router bit was 1/2 inch in diameter and a 1/4 inch long. The second was 1/2 inch diameter and 3/4 inch long, the third was also 1/2 inch diameter and 3/4 inch long but with the ball bearing at the bottom of the bit vs at the top like the other two. (BTW - I'm talking about a 1/2 inch diameter blade - not the shank/collet - all of these are 1/4 inch shank.) By switching blades this way I was able to make small passes with each and not take off too much wood on any one pass. The 3/4 in bit was too big (too long) to start with - so that's why I started with the 1/4 bit. But the 3/4 but wasn't long enough to finish the cut because the body blank is over 2 inches thick. If you are using thinner body blanks you should be able to get away with just using the first two bits.
The reason why you want to take your time and make small cuts is threefold: The router doesn't have to work as hard, the bit doesn't get too hot, the cut is smoother/better. Routers and router bits aren't cheap - so making more passes will ensure they have a long life. Also, if you work the router bit too hard you could break it. The idea of a sharpened steel blade flying through the air at great velocity gives me the willies.
So, how much is too much? I try not to cut away more than 1/4 of an inch at a time. There are plenty of people who would tell you that's too conservative and plenty that will tell you that's too aggressive. I'm just telling you what works for me.
As you can see in the pictures above and below - the different bits have left their mark on the body blank. Those fine lines come from three different things: where I switched router bits, where there were imperfections on the template, and when I removed the template and used the body blank). They are pretty minor and will sand out fairly easily. Also, as you can see in the picture below - at some point you can remove the template and use the body blank as the template.
I do like the PRS shape and it's pretty comfy to play.
Seeing as this body isn't going to have a pick guard and is going to be carved in some way - I think I'm going to put binding on the body. It's another step to add but I think it'll make it took pretty tasty when it's done.
So, up next is to make a Les Paul Template so that I can get that body up to speed with this one. Then I think I'm going to have to make some router jigs to shape these two bodies a little.
Stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment