Modified V Build

bea said:
Which is IMO one of the most superflouos tools for occasional builders. The job can be easily done using a plastic or shoemaker's hammer. Provided the slot width and the tung width of the fret wire match well.
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Also, seeing as I don't have "a plastic or shoemaker's hammer" but I do have everything I needed to make the fret press, it is not at all "superfluous." Besides, I never liked hammering in frets.
 
I hope i did not offend You too much. My remark was intended mostly to the readers pointing to the traditional method of fretting.
 
bea said:
I hope i did not offend You too much. My remark was intended mostly to the readers pointing to the traditional method of fretting.
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To be honest, I thought your comment was gratuitously harsh. That said, I am not really offended, just a little put off. We all do what seems to work for us, whether it is playing, buying, modding or building. I would never, in a million years, spend $240.00 for a fret press, but if I can build one with tools and materials on hand, I'm all in for that.
 
Dewesq55 said:
Exciting day. I started carving/shaping the neck got about 1 half the rough carve done (base side). The volute shape is kind of a work in progress.
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In case anybody is interested, I used Stanley Surform planes and rasps for the bulk of the carving. I have a long flat one, a round one, a block plane type and a pull shaper with a curved sole. I also used a half-round tooth rasp for some of the curved areas at the volute and heel.
 
I like both the hammer and vice tools. But, I'm a tool nut too - lol...

Are you using files and/or scrappers to shape the neck?
 
The shaping is coming along nicely.
I'm a big fan of making stuff, rather than buying, when skill, & materials provide.
Can't wait to see how the press comes out.
 
Didn't get anything done on it today, but here's a pic of the profile of the bass side of the neck after I rough carved it. This was raken at mid-neck, about the 7th or 8th fret. I think it looks pretty good:

IMG_20170124_181631.jpg
 
bea said:
Are You sure about having got the right picture?
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I'm not sure what your question is. The neck is only carved in the bass side so far. I took the entire profile, which was still roughly square on the treble side and pressed the gauge back in on the treble side up to the center line. So the picture is the profile of the bass side of the neck. Yes, I am sure the picture is right.
 
@bea perhaps this is what you are looking for:

IMG_20170125_120155-01.jpeg

I was trying to highlight the profile of the carved portion in the prior photo.
 
Yes, i actually did not understand the photo. I mostly trust my fingers judging the profile. And my neck profiles tend to be intentionally asymmetric.
 
bea said:
Yes, i actually did not understand the photo. I mostly trust my fingers judging the profile. And my neck profiles tend to be intentionally asymmetric.
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I do the same - shape to fit my hand. I was just trying to show the progress of the build. Even the bass side needs additional shaping.
 
So the neck is done-ish. Fully carved and sanded to 180 grit. I may only take it to 220, but have another project to work on this evening so I had to stop. After I finished carving with surforms, rasps and a half round file, I sanded with 80 grit in a random orbit sander which got rid of most of the tool marks. I was starting to do the same with 100 grit in the ROS when the sander broke. The bottom pad that the sandpaper attaches to and that spins around came flying off. I had to do the rest of the sanding by hand. I was going to move to hand sanding after the 100 grit anyway. After tje 100 I did 120, 150 and 180. This is what it lookes like wiped down with some naphtha:
IMG_20170125_175649.jpg
 
Nice.

Suggestion:
Some of the earlier Vs and especially the V-Bass (and also the Ripper) had a more rounded headstock. To me that would fit a lot more harmonic into the design concept of a V than the recent headstocks.
 
Just a note to say that I haven't disappeared but life (work) has interfered. I am currently on trial in back to back (and possibly another "back") cases so luthiery is on hold. I am staying out of town even at the moment so I am not even near my shop. I promise to get back to this and finish it as soon as schedule permits.
 
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