Les Paul Jnr Build :Templates and Body Blank

[muttley]

Here goes folks.

Part one of the Les Paul Jnr build discusse in the preamble thread.

In this section we will cover the cutting of the templates and joining of the body blank. A bit dull I know but essential work.

I intend to put up a video of each stage and then add further content as and when required of requested... So if you want any further description or explanation just ask. I have a bunch of videos and pictures covering each stage.......

So with out further ado...

[BBvideo=560,315]https://youtu.be/MCJa2w1n2T0[/BBvideo]

[muttley]

Before anyone tells me off... All guards and extraction equipment have been removed for clarity. Dont you go doing that.

[Greg_L]

Awesome!

I can't wait till you get to setting the neck/neck angle. I've never wrapped my head around that bit.

[muttley]

I shall cover it in more detail.

[WhiskeyJack]

Pretty Excited for this!!!!

[rayc]

Very absorbing - watching a master craftperon at work - no matter the task - is usually riveting but this is even more so.

[muttley]

WJ, Has asked for a few pictures and descriptions as well as video so here goes.

The paper template used to mark out the mdf template is simply a cut and stitch print direct from the plan on a domestic printer. I always check for scale when doing this..

papertemplate101.jpg

Once one template is made the outline can be cut onto any number or type of templates using a router and profile cutter..

template103.jpg

The finished templates are marked for ant routing that needs to be done and fixing holes are drilled where they will eventually be cut away.. You can see 4 fixing holes in this instance. One in the neck pocket area, one where the pickup route will go and one each where the pots are to be placed. That way I can fix the template securely when routing the outline and later the neck pocket and pup cavity.

The pot cavity is on the reverse so that template will have to be help with double sided tape and clamps.

Template101.jpg

template102.jpg

Next post will be a few of jointing the body blank.

[muttley]

Not much see with jointing the body blank...

Bodyblankjoin101.jpg

bodyblank201.jpg

routing template on body block.JPG

Things will get much more involved and detailed in the next installment which will cover routing the outline, cutting the control cavity, and finishing the body to a point where the neck needs to cut and lined up..

[JD01]

I watched this in bed before going to sleep the other night and I actually had a dream that I'd gone on one of them week long courses down at Crimson to build myself a LP Special.

[muttley]

I'm way ahead with this but just havent had time to put together videos and pics so apologies.

The neck is also done and I hope to post that up ASAP in the next few days.

In the mean time here is the body coming together... I will follow up with some pictures as and when WJ nags me.

Once again apologies for the delay.

[BBvideo=560,315]https://youtu.be/3Ts4dMN4e1Q[/BBvideo]

[Greg_L]

[WhiskeyJack]

DAMMIT, I didn't see this post on the 7th!!!

[liv_rong]

Awesome! Great work and cool video!

[JD01]

Looks ideal, Mutt

[Tadpui]

Wow, awesome! Sorry I missed the original post when it went up. I'll be following!

[muttley]

Trying to catch up with the video editing.

Next installment. Cutting the neck scarf and heel block

[BBvideo=560,315]https://youtu.be/BsNGMxmFTV4[/BBvideo]

[Greg_L]

What's the idea behind making a separate headstock and heel block instead of just cutting it out of one thicker piece of wood?

[muttley]

Strength and cost.

A Blank big enough to cut a neck from is way more expensive. You also get a stronger headstock if it's done properly.

[Greg_L]

Strength and cost.

A Blank big enough to cut a neck from is way more expensive. You also get a stronger headstock if it's done properly.

Okay. I see. So you don't use any dowel pins or anything to physically lock the headstock to the neck? Two perfectly flat pieces glues together is strong enough?

[muttley]

yep. Stronger than the wood itself.

Often you will have a veneer over the top to add to the stregth but in the case of jnr they are just painted black. I wont be putting a veneer on this.

The headstock will also have wings glued to the side to increase the blank width which will hide the edge joint.