AHG octave mando build

[GGJaguar]

Yikes, I didn't see that one coming. I guess it doesn't matter since the tuner plate is covering them.

 

[AcornHouse]

Yikes, I didn't see that one coming. ...

I did. Wasn't looking forward to it.

 

[AcornHouse]

With the divots for the rivets carved out, it was time to polish the headstock and get the ferrules pressed in and the tuners installed. Here's a tip, in case you're ever drilling a blank headstock for new tuners. Size the holes for the ferrules so that they go in within any resistance, but not any wider. After the finish is on, there will be just enough finish in the hole that they will go in with clamping pressure but will be solidly seated. This is for press in bushings only, of course.



Waxing the screws with a little beeswax is also a good thing. (And no, it wouldn't have helped with the too small hole.) And if anyone knows what "clocking screws" means, (no @Default, it's nothing to do with that!), you might be able to see an example of that here. (Patting myself on the back.)



And, aside from the nibs, here's another reason I like Rubners. Extra screws and an extra ferrule. Just in case. (Like if a screw breaks due to user error.)

 

[GGJaguar]

"clocking screws"

I like it! Good for catalog photos and people with OCD.

 

[AcornHouse]

My least favorite day is the build. Levelling, crowning, and, eventually, polishing. It always seems to take me forever. If I was a guitar tech who needed to crank these out for a living, I'd be broke. I'm sure there's better, faster, ways.

I much prefer to work with wood.

 

[GGJaguar]

Looks like a surgical theater with the patient prepped and draped for the procedure.

 

[AcornHouse]

Looks like a surgical theater with the patient prepped and draped for the procedure.

Just waiting for the insurance approval.

 

[AcornHouse]

Now that they're all level and crowned; checked and checked again with the fret rocker, I can get to polishing. My weapon(s) of choice are the popsicle shaped MicroMesh sticks. I have two sets of these and over the years their color has become a little harder to match to the chart, as they've faded or picked up fret particles. So I have to go by grit feel sometimes.



I finally saw a pic posted by someone of the simple idea of writing their grit and order on the sides. (Duh!) Hopefully that lessens the sorting period.

 

[GGJaguar]

They look a little like buffing sticks for fingernails.

 

[AcornHouse]

Polishing, polishing, polishing...

 

[AcornHouse]

And the first of, probably, two applications of fingerboard oil.

 

[GGJaguar]

Do you use bore oil or something else? And what do you use the curry powder for?

 

[AcornHouse]

Do you use bore oil or something else? And what do you use the curry powder for?

I've used this fingerboard oil for years.


There's ebony dust, etc, in the curry jar.

 

[AcornHouse]

Got the nut fitted snugly in the slot, ready to be shaped tomorrow.

 

[GAD]

Anyone else get sad when they look and there’s no update yet?

 

[GGJaguar]

Quality work cannot be rushed.

 

[Default]

It has to get by the inspector first.

 

[AcornHouse]

Anyone else get sad when they look and there’s no update yet?

Twas an ALDI morning.

 

[Stuball48]

Twas an ALDI morning.

Priorities--man gotta eat.

Quality, fast, or cheap.
Pick two and it will not be the other

 

[AcornHouse]

Alright, alright. Got my nut vise out, old American cast iron. A #2, as cast in it, I'm curious how small a #1 is! (Assuming it follows the hand plane convention where #1 is the smallest, on up ) I have it mounted, when needed, in my inlay cutting rig, which gets it up nice and high.



After cutting for length, I cut the blank for height, based on the fret height using a very Hi-Tech device.



Then my single cut tiger pattern file puts a bevel towards the back and brings it down more. Flashbacks of dental work from the smell.



That's gets it into rough shape, ready for sanding.