Cool @wayne_f, that mahogany insert on your bandsaw is pretty sweet too!

Here's an overdue progress update video:

Nice video @wayne_f  , I'm not sure that making the neck is the hardest bit, but I do enjoy it though.

@robin Well, "hardest" meaning the most strenuous. I know there are still plenty of opportunities to screw it up haha.

@wayne_f Nice work! great video too 🙂

Well, "hardest" meaning the most strenuous. I know there are still plenty of opportunities to screw it up haha.

@wayne_f    Yes, I totally agree on both counts.

Nice wee video @wayne_f. Keep them coming. 👍 

🙂🎶🎸🙏

Thats great work @wayne_f 

Not sure what is the hardest part - but there is so much going on with the neck, with sizing and shaping and its the part of the guitar that you touch the most while playing. If you get that right it'll feel great and be a pleasure to play. 

@wayne_f, @koendb, @robin, @boo, @Bpower

Well, I'm enjoying the fact that you are working ahead of me..lol, it gives me some extra confidence to know that as we go, we hit little hiccups - like filling in a routered headstock because of a revealed defect in the wood...I'll be starting my neck [mahogany] pretty soon, just almost there...i have to rent a bandsaw from a local 'toolbox library', [ which is pretty neat $5 for a week]. I can't just go out and purchase the bandsaw yet.

this is really neat, enjoying

 it - retirement.

<>< Poco7

@poco7 It all starts with a good plan 🙂 Have fun with your build.

I like that idea of a tool library, We do have a few places that let you use tools , such as community workshops, but I haven't heard about libraries for tools around here (Well, besides the commercial tool services and tool lending services from a local hardware store).
Is that something common over where you live?

@poco7 Well it looks like you are having fun and that pleases me. Just remember to take you time and enjoy it. It’s not a race and you will have a greater understanding of what you are doing if you really take the time and get to grips with it all. At only $5 a week rental, you can take your time I think. 

Keep having fun and keep us up to date. 🙂👍

Nice work @wayne_f and @poco7!

Today, I got the fingerboard smoothed and radiused. Then I attempted to start putting the frets in. I couldn't even get the first one to go in all the way. The slots were filed before the attempt but that didn't seem to help enough. 

@wayne_f it’s hard to tell from the picture but it looks like the ends are in just the middle that’s proud? 

@wayne_f   I would agree with @tej there, it looks like the ends are in, so the slot must be deep enough. I'm assuming that you're hammering them in and not pressing them. If you're hammering while supporting on these blocks of wood, the hammer might just be bouncing. When I did mine, I supported the neck on a sand bag made from the leg of an old pair of trousers, that held the neck firmly and didn't bounce.

Oh wow that's a lot of work you've got done @wayne_f  it's all looking great. I agree with you on the neck being the most hard work, like Mark says, it'll keep you warm. I found the neck the most satisfying job in the whole process. 

Make sure your fret slots are completely clear of any dust etc and don't be afraid to give them some abuse when you hammer them in, you'll be rounding them all off before you're done.

Keep it up man, this is great to watch all the awesome progress.

Then I attempted to start putting the frets in. I couldn't even get the first one to go in all the way. The slots were filed before the attempt but that didn't seem to help enough. 

@wayne_f Did you clean the slots out thoroughly?

Did you measure the depth of the fret slots to check whether they were deep enough for the fret tangs to sit in comfortably?

Did you check the length of the fret tangs compared to your fret slot depth? 

@tej @robin @cheesewhisk @boo

Fret slots are definitely clean and deep enough. Looking closer at the fret now, it appears to be on an angle. The side that's facing the heel end looks like it's farther down than the other. So maybe the bottom of the tang is biting into the wood? Perhaps pull it out and try again? I had already pulled it out once before taking that picture. 

Perhaps pull it out and try again? I had already pulled it out once before taking that picture. 

@wayne_f Ahhhhh….. Yes, pull it out carefully and clean the slot again. I would perhaps cut another fret instead of using the same one again. You have to be very careful that each fret goes in straight down. They can cut into the side of the slot and drag the fret in on an angle (like what has happened with yours) if you are not vigilant when pressing or hammering them in. 
Take it slow and watch what you are doing a little more. 👍

Looks to me like you need more solid support underneath the neck to stop it bouncing or bending when you hit it. 🤔