My First Guitar Body

[sharkcutup]

1963 Stratocaster carved out of White Oak

Thought I would give it a go!!! Another interesting/challenging project!

SHARKCUTUP

[Rcnewcomb]

It looks great. What size ballnose bit did you use for the finish pass?

(Long, long ago I had a '56 Strat which I sold for $250 in my foolish youth.)

[sharkcutup]

It looks great. What size ballnose bit did you use for the finish pass?

Thank you!!!

This build was drawn from a paper drawing.

Most complicated Toolpaths used were Moulding toolpaths cleared with 1/4" flat end mill and finished with a 1/4" ballnose.

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[TomWS]

Very nice two sided carving! The pockets look very deep. What was the cutting length on the bit?

[scotttarnor]

Dam Dude you do everything from rifle stocks to guitar’s ! I want to come hang out in garage for a day!

[scottp55]

Sweet and clean cut Shark!!
Well Done!

[sharkcutup]

Thank you everyone!

I Enjoy Challenges!!! Two-Side Projects are even more Interesting and Challenging too!

2 1/4" stock material - White Oak planed to 2" for project. Required project completed thickness - 1 3/4"
Pockets - .563" and 1.5" deep and one through pocket using a 1/4" Flat End Mill 3" Overall length - 1" cutting length

It was definitely a challenge and that first guitar body is not perfect by any means (note the contour face side).

This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups. In that instance I had used the wrong Z-Zero at the startup of that particular moulding toolpath which regrettably started .25" deep which caused a surmountable amout of sanding to blend/smooth surface to machined contour. Other than that I believe the First go was proven a success!

Sharkcutup

[sharkcutup]

I think I will have a go at the Fender Telecaster Thinline Guitar Body in White Oak. It will be a lot lighter due to the Thinline's hollow design feature. It will be even more challenging because not only is it two-sided, it is made up of two mating parts - the hollowed body and a matching cover.

Hmmm where did I put that drawing?

Sharkcutup

[rink]

This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups.

Good evening.
What are virtual z-zero setups?
Thx, rink.

[sharkcutup]

sharkcutup wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 9:18 am
This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups.
Good evening.
What are virtual z-zero setups?
Thx, rink.

I was a little hesitant mentioning Virtual Z-Zero Setups because of this.

Virtual Zero is a program that had come with my Shark CNC Control Software which I have grown accustomed to using most often.
Reference this link - https://www.nextwavecnc.com/shop/hex:73 ... 205a65726f
for more information on what it is and its capabilities.

Sharkcutup

[rink]

Thank you.

[WMS]

Great project, I am considering taking this on myself. How did you take on the neck?

[sharkcutup]

Have not tackled the Guitar neck yet. Debating on whether I should carve it or just buy a pre-made neck to install. Not exactly sure how to go about the frets. Need to research it in more detail.

But in the meantime, I have made another Guitar Body which is the Telecaster Thinline Body. This body is a lot lighter than the Stratocaster body I had carved. They are both carved out of White Oak.

Telecaster Thinline Body

Both Guitar Bodies Side by side (Stratocaster and Telecaster Thinline)

I have been doing construction on a homemade sawmill for cutting table top stock down to size (2 1/2" -4" thick) rather than planning it to size and loosing/wasting all that wood in chips/dust. I have been constructing a sawmill bandsaw to cut the stock to size. This has been consuming the majority of my time lately.

I will eventually get back to the guitar necks after I do more research into the fret layout.

Thank you for your Interest!!!

Sharkcutup

[sharkcutup]

Got my first guitar neck carved and the first fret board too.

Body and neck - white oak
Fret Board - Mahogany

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[sharkcutup]

An photo of my guitar with parts laid out

Complete the fret board and then put a finish on body, neck, and fret board then assemble.

Sharkcutup