It's been some time since I've posted anything, been a bit busy in my new house. Settled in now in Clydebank but haven't got a workshop organised yet. I've got a flimsy 8'x6' shed but its too cluttered with stuff to have any working space. My plan is to get rid of it and put up a 12'x8', meanwhile I've started on my next guitar.
It's going to be a long term project, it was still part of a beech tree until a few weeks ago.
It was laying freshly cut by the roadside at our caravan site, so I picked it up next time I was passing with the car.
I've made a start today and hacked a reasonably flat reference face on it and removed the bark. My next step will be to cut a couple of slabs from it, although I've no idea yet how I'm going to do that. Once I've got it cut, how long do I need to let it dry out for?
Hi Robin, I’m no expert but without kiln drying, you’re probably looking at a couple of years for a big lump like that to dry. If you manage to get it cut into slabs, then drying time would be much reduced. I will be interested to hear other opinions on this. Also on ideas for cutting it, seems like a tough job to me.
Brian 😃👍🎸
You're probably right with a couple of years, I think I've read that somewhere.
As for cutting it, I visited the Clydebank Mens Shed yesterday and was made very welcome. The guys there are predominantly doing woodwork and they've got a good big bandsaw and a planer/thicknesser in their workshop. They've also just had a huge dust extraction system installed. I am now a Mens Shed member and will be making use of their facilities. The guys I spoke to weren't aware of any guitar makers amongst their members so I think they'll be quite interested to see what I'll be doing.
Robin, that sounds great, I’ve said before on these forums that Mens’ Sheds are a great place to get help and the use of equipment and I’m glad you’ve found a good one locally. You’ll also give them the benefit of your guitar building experience. I used to go to my local Shed but haven’t been for over two years now for my own personal reasons but I still am a great believer in the Mens’ Shed movement, there’s another Shed a bit further away, might give it a try. Let us know how you get on with getting it cut.
Brian😃👍🎸
1 year per inch thick for drying is what I understand
1 year per inch thick for drying is what I understand
Oh well, thats going to take a while then. I did say its going to be a long term project.
Meanwhile, I've got a nice bit of mahogany thats already dried out. I think I'll use the mens shed machine tools and cut it into slices and thickness it for another acoustic.
@robin The person to ask on processing it is Eddie. I’ve forgotten his handle on this website. Do you know who I mean?
Eddie Cameron, @eddie6string @electricladyguitars
Make guitars, not war 🌍✌️🎸