Binding and Abalone...

After breathing a huge sigh of relief from cutting the channels it was now time to attach the binding and abalone.

I chose the white plastic bindings and b/w/b strips on both sides of my abalone.  I started by putting down a coat of shellac around the edge.  I've been told the CA glue can wick into the end grain of the spruce top and turn to a yellow stain after a couple of years.  The shellac will prevent that from happening.

You can see in the picture below the bindings taped on.  This allowed me to spot glue the bindings on.  The tape was removed and CA was wicked down into the remaining spots.

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I made sure the bindings were glued well into place and then started placing the abalone shell and b/w/b purflings.  Everything fit well, but the abalone was a little intimidating.  The abalone came in straight 1" strips and to fit around the curves it needs to be "cracked" into place.  As this was the first time I'd ever done this, I wasn't sure how that was going to go.  It actually wasn't that bad... a few pieces had to filed to be shaped correctly around the tight bends, but most of it broke great.  It turned out really nice.

It took me a couple of hours to install the abalone and then another couple of hours to sand everything down to flush.  I was relieved to see it all come together and to look as good as it does.

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Routing...

Time to route the binding and purfling channels...

I started by routing an undersized binding channel on both the top and bottom sides.  This allowed me to make sure the sides were sanded flat... sometimes the top and black plate can interfere and you can end up with an uneven surface.

Then I made sure my box was secure and routed the channels.  This was the most intimidating part of the whole project so far.  The channels need to be routed squarely with the sides and this becomes difficult as the top and bottom plates are not flat (or square with the sides).

I put together a router attachment (based on the KMG binding router attachment) to mount to my Ridgid 2401 router and started routing.  The binding channels were cut at 0.060" deep and 0.275" tall.  The purfling channel, on the top plate, was cut at 0.060" deep and 0.305" wide.  After it was all done, I was ecstatic that I didn't have any tear out or misshapen channels.  Everything worked out great.

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Box and Frets...

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 I feel like I was finally able to get something done this weekend.  I started by getting the frets installed on my finger board.  I also cutout and glued up  a 16" radius sanding block to match the radius of the fretboard.  The next  step is to dress and level the frets.  I put the blue tape down to protect the ebony and binding during this next step.

 I was also able to get the box glued up this weekend.  Everything went together pretty smooth and it's finally starting to look like a guitar.  When tapping on the top, I get a nice puff of air out of the sound hole.

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I also checked my clearance from the neck to the saddle location.  With a straight edge on the neck blank (no fretboard), I measured the clearance at the bridge location and I am almost dead on at 0.090" clearance.  I'll still need to do some flossing and tuning on the neck joint, but I'm in the ball park which is all I care about right now.

The next couple of nights will be spent sanding in preparation for the binding and purfling channels.  I'll be routing those channels out sometime this week so I can start inlaying my abalone around the top edge of the guitar.

Top Bracing...

Last night I was able to finish the scalloping of my top braces.  The bracing is complete and the top is ready to go.  The white binding on the fretboard is done.  I need to clean up the slots for the fretwire and finish sand the ebony before getting the frets installed.

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Abalone Rosette...

My paua abalone arrived and I was able to get the rosette installed.  I used 0.060" black/white/black wood strips on the inner and outer rings and 0.040" b/w/b on both sides of the abalone in the center ring.  Below are pics of the finished rosette.

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For those questioning the closeup of the rosette (above, right), the gaps at the top of the circle are intentional and will be covered up by the end of the fretboard.

I was also able to get my end graft put into the rim for the strap end pin.

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I've glued the binding to the fretboard and should be able to wrap that up tonight so I can get the fret wire installed.  I've also started on the x-bracing for the top and will get started on scalloping the braces this week.  Hopefully I'll get far enough this week to close up the box soon - this weekend maybe?

Fret Board...

Last night I got the abalone dots put into my fret board.  The pictures really don't do them justice.  They really pop in the right lighting.

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You can see the abalone ring placed in the rosette also.  I was hoping to get the rosette finished tonight but am going to have to order some different purfling material for the rings.  The project will be on hold for a few days while I wait for my material.