Miscellaneous Misc

Few updates...

Decals are no fun. I can not wait to figure out a better way to do this.

As I was cleaning up some trash in the finish I managed to mangle this decal. Now I have to print another one... the sheets are 8x11.5 so I have to carefully print it at the top, cut it out, clear it, so I do not waste another expensive sheet of decal paper. Then I have to put finish over it.

Working on installing nuts and control plates. One thing I hate is when I forget to put the nut in before finishing a guitar. Working on already finished instruments is tedious. Of course I got in a rush and now I have to install the nut without hurting the finish.

I have the Stew Mac nut files and they are fine for repair work, like reseating a nut on a LP or Strat. They are really annoying for new work. I use a really wide nut in a Strat style slot this means I have to cut the nut slots by hand. This also means it has to fit perfect. On a LP there is no back to the slot so it is much easier to seat. On a Strat the nut is only 1/8" again much easier to work with.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice new tools for the sake of efficiency. This brand new very sharp 1/4" square bastard file had no idea what was coming. The belt sander made quick work of the teeth.

As you can see here the side I removed all the teeth from goes towards the frets. This makes it easy to cut the bed and back without ruining the intonation. Also helps keep everything square.

The results are amazing. I have made several tools for doing this over the years (including a chisel the exact size of the slot) but this one is the best.

Control plates never get done until the end. It always seems like I forget to get them done and have to hustle to finish.

I am doing a set of P90 HBs and the kit from Mojo doesn't come with centers. Word to the wise don't assume the P90 is 50mm... it was 49.2mm so I had to cut them twice.