Ou7shined Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 So I decided to make a maple truss rod cover to match my veneered headstock. I made a rough template out of paper that covered the general length and width dimensions. I cut 3 pieces approximately the size of the template making sure that the grain went long ways on 2 and transversely on the last one. I sandwiched the transverse one between the first two, glued them up and clamped the lot between some blocks. I waited a few hours and had a peak. They seemed to be stuck together pretty solidly so I lined up the paper template and drew around it, then cut out the shape with some tough scissors. I then spent ridiculously too long tweaking the shape with 180 then finally 400 grade sandpaper. Once happy I marked then drilled the holes on my Dremel drill press with a 2mm bit. I noticed that one of the layers hadn't glued properly at a corner so I worked some glue in with a scalpel tip then screwed it down to a flat block of wood for a couple more hours to dry. Then the tricky bit... making it fit. In this state the 3 flimsy veneers became quite tough and I feared that bending the stiff TR cover to the headstock contour might snap it - I proceeded with maximum caution. I put the tip screw in first and bit by bit started clamping my way down the TR cover until I reached the sort of apex of the curve then sent the remaining 2 screws home. Once I was happy that they were all tight I held my breath, bit the bullet and removed the clamp. And Ta-dah it worked.... a matching truss rod cover for my maple veneered headstock. Just need to lacquer it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 tidy bit of work there. i reckon that sometimes the smaller, more intricate jobs are the most satisfying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreeneKing Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 That's what I tell the girls, the little things are more satisfying Very nice work my man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) You probably could have steamed in a bit of a gentle curve in it to make it easier to fit. Just a thought. It's quite a tidy job though. Edited June 1, 2009 by Buzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure that steam or any heat would have killed it - especially when the glue was so fresh. Veneer is very susceptible to moisture and will ripple like a mofo given a chance (I killed a lovely oak veneer finish on a guitar that had been dry for months just by putting a wet varnish on it not so long ago) also heat is used to re-adhere veneer when it has become unstuck as it melts the glue underneath. I wouldn't mind making up a test piece just to test your theory for future jobs though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Best build thread ever, something I don't have to think about too much and, doesn't leave me with gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingofthestuntmen Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Best Thread Title Ever. And a good job, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 Just as a comparison here's how it used to look.... before coming to live with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Excellent build and a great looking result. Good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Huge improvement. Nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Good job on the bending. I'd be a bit wary about using steam too, but I'd be interested to know how it goes. What an improvement over the comical effort it arrived with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Well, bending wood is more about getting it wet than using heat. Steaming is just a quicker method than letting it soak. I would have also thought it would be better for the bending as like you mention, it'll soften the glue up as well, but wood glue is fairly flexable anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpig Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 a bit late now the job's done but, next time ,or in a similar situation you could bend the veneers while gluing them. be slightly tricy with this job and probably take longer to do. so come to think of it ignore me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted June 19, 2009 Author Share Posted June 19, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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