Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on November 1, 2009 at 10:10am

relatively easy cutting... doesn't hurt blades at all... finishes nice

Wes Yates said:

Sam, Paul, how hard is corian to cut? I tried on the band saw a little and it seems ok, but will it dull the blade quickly? I have some pieces that I can use to make nuts with but don't want to spend the $20 per band blade every time I need a nut.

-Wes

Wichita Sam said:

I like hard wood cut with "foots" (ala banjo) for acoustics. Close second is a martin bridge saddle using corian for the saddle.
beyond that I have gotten great acoustic response from a 1/2 brass bar riding on a hardwood bridge... errr... what are you cutting the nut from?

good luck,

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on November 1, 2009 at 10:10am

I have pretty much used bone exclusively, set into a hardwood bridge. Likewise for the nut. However, on my mandola I tried a "Red Henry" style maple bridge and it works very well.
The light, hard bridge seems to transfer energy very well.

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Permalink Reply by Beer on November 1, 2009 at 5:48pm

I ended up laying some of the left over neck stock sideways in a miter box and cutting it at a 45*. Ended up trimming it way down. Cut the top of the triangle that was left on the neck stock off and trimmed it down for the nut.
Sounds fairly decent, even without sound holes. The action is a little high. Not that I've really had the chance to mess around with it. As soon as I was done, I had to pack and leave for the airport. Just getting in now.
I got quite a few looks and a couple of conversations. I may have inspired someone to build one. He had a question or two and was impressed with the sound. Gave him a quick rundown on the construction.

I may rethink using the picture hanger as the saddle, the strings are a little high. Barely perceptible deflection over the bridge. The sound was about the same without the bridge, but it would throw the intonation off. I haven't burned the frets in yet, so I could reprint a template for the longer scale.
I also need to space the tuning heads off the back of the head. Barely any deflection there too. I didn't line up the center tuning peg properly (rushing) so without the deflection over the nut, the string doesn't stay in the groove. I may just align them with screws for now and build a new neck when I get home (it pays to have friends in the lumber business).


So trying to finish this up quickly I was reminded why I only bought tools from Harbor Freight once years ago. As cheap as the tools are, they still aren't worth the money you are paying for them.


Flor de Jalapa Toro's make nice looking and sounding CBG's. The unfinished Red Oak neck ties in nicely.

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Permalink Reply by Beer on November 1, 2009 at 6:26pm

Some shots.

Attachments:

• GetAttachment-2.aspx.jpeg, 51 KB
• GetAttachment.aspx.jpeg, 48 KB

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Permalink Reply by Beer on November 1, 2009 at 6:27pm

This got left out for some reason.

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Permalink Reply by Beer on November 1, 2009 at 6:30pm

put the wrong one in the last post, but apparently you can only delete an attachment, and not the entire post.

Attachments:

• GetAttachment-1.aspx.jpeg, 43 KB

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on November 1, 2009 at 6:44pm

Does it get sound? If so, Bingo!

Beer said:

put the wrong one in the last post, but apparently you can only delete an attachment, and not the entire post.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on November 2, 2009 at 4:34am

Forgot to mention, but you will find out, easy to cut but messy. Fine little shavings everywhere... hook up the vacuum. I enjoy working with corian, have md lots of pens and a vase out of it.

Wichita Sam said:

relatively easy cutting... doesn't hurt blades at all... finishes nice

Wes Yates said:

Sam, Paul, how hard is corian to cut? I tried on the band saw a little and it seems ok, but will it dull the blade quickly? I have some pieces that I can use to make nuts with but don't want to spend the $20 per band blade every time I need a nut.

-Wes

Wichita Sam said:

I like hard wood cut with "foots" (ala banjo) for acoustics. Close second is a martin bridge saddle using corian for the saddle.
beyond that I have gotten great acoustic response from a 1/2 brass bar riding on a hardwood bridge... errr... what are you cutting the nut from?

good luck,

Sam

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Permalink Reply by Dustin Smith on October 24, 2010 at 2:49pm

I've tried oak, steel, brass, and a domino..The domino to me works the best. I take my dremel tool and slice a 1/4" piece off and slot it for strings. works great sounds better than metal and won't scratch the box. i just make sure i wear a gas mask when cutting because the polymer sheds like corian.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on October 24, 2010 at 6:00pm

Hey Beer,
Pull the tuners and laminate a 1/4" piece of oak on the back of the headstock. When you re-string it put the strings thru the tail piece front to rear. That should fix your primary problems!
Have fun!

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