Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James Boutilier on May 12, 2011 at 4:18pm

hey.... i see our meaning of thicknesser was different.  i meant i was looking at a thickness planer. 2-3 cutting blades, cuts top and bottom, pushed through rollers.  this is supposed to get down to 1/8" a sanding board should smooth out anything needed.  thats a thought anyway -- and almost within price range.

 

fretboard, if i dont mind 3/16" i can get them done now.

 

the gears are turning anyway,  haha

Permalink Reply by Malcolm Haines on July 9, 2011 at 5:32pm

I reckon it is a function of price. How many of these cuts are you going to make over time. If its a little, then a supplier of big wood may cut a few for you as a favor.

 

For things like this, I use the bodies and sound boards of trashed guitars, generally its pretty thin.

 

peace

Permalink Reply by j-dub on July 21, 2011 at 7:47am

I use a table saw with a thin kerf teflon coated blade and make a 1 inch pass top and bottom and then finish it off with a band saw. This leaves a slightly raised section down the middle which I take off with sanding or planer if you have one.

Permalink Reply by Brian Reagor on July 25, 2011 at 6:13am

Hi Jim, It can be done on a table saw but I wouldn't use one of therm cheap table top saws.

As for using a bandsaw it should be a good one of an industrial type with the correct blade and proper fence set up.

The only table saws I would for any type of accurate cutting would be a Delta Unisaw set up for cabinetry work, (meaning that the fence is set up to be perfectly aligned and blade is high quality, thin kerf, and about 80 teeth), Matsushita blades are good, or a Powermatic Cabinet shop saw and preferably a Beismeyer fence system on them.

I will assume that these ideas are not probably feasible for a number of reasons. so on to a realistic way of doing this.

If you have your heart set on doing this yourself you can buy an inexpesnive saw but get a high quality blade designed for your job.and I would secure the saw to the floor or if bench top type to a solid secure work table of proper working height.

You simply will have to cut the wood in 1/4" or thicker sections and then sand them closer to what you need.or have them planed to your desired thickness, allow for any final sanding or shaping meaning don't cut, sand or plane your pieces all the way down to 1/8" leave a little extra.

The biggest problem u you may have is that most of the cheap saws motors cannot handle the load of cutting 4 inch stock. I have gotten away with it by buying very expensive thin kerf blades and going slow,

This may work for you but is not the first choice when cutting 4 inch hardwood stock.

My final recommendation is to find a cabinet shop or mill that will do this work for so you don't lose any fingers or eyes~ Good Luck

P.S. there are places that sell thin wood but it is not common as much, I have a package of thin wood strips approx. 1/8" I think by 2-1/2 to 3 inch or wider pieces of wood by approx. 4 or 4-1/2 feet long, a brand new package probably 15 or 20 years old but new, I will go out and check for sure on the dimensions and wood type and let you know, if it is something you can use maybe I could mail a few pieces to you for your project. Brian

Use safety practices, blade guard, safety goggles, etc.

Permalink Reply by Brian Reagor on July 25, 2011 at 1:04pm

Hi Jim, Here are some pics of what I have for some thin wood, it is veneer strips and it is sensitive but I think with proper bracing it wood make a good box for sound quality but unsure about durability. It comes in 1, 2, 3 & 4 feet pieces. I only have what you see in the pics but if you need a little I will give you a few pieces, also it seems to be Mahogany, dark and light in color. Brian 360-749-0826, Kelso, Washington

Permalink Reply by Lewin E Leven on August 2, 2011 at 3:38pm

I make a 3 stringed instrument called a Phintaro. I made up the name. It's a combination of a Thai instrument called a Phin

and a 3 string guitar. many of them I use a dulcimer type fretting. for my self I use the Thai fretting. Anyway my shop is in Thailand but I also spend time in Canada. From Vancouver but family is in Sask. There is a Luthier school in Tugaske, SK

run by David Freemon. It's called Timeless Instruments. He not only teaches guitar making but has tons of supplies.

All the wood sets for all kinds of instruments. Some great Canadian grown wood plus exotics of all kinds. Cheaper than anything you will find from American dealers. He has a free online catalog.

If you want more info write to me. Lewin.  leveneleven@gmail.com

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