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The Beginners Club

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A club for beginners who are building for the first time and need some support from each other as well as experienced builders who are willing to teach newbies the ropes. Welcome!

Location: Rochester, New York
Members: 318
Latest Activity: Feb 26

15 members like this

Discussion Forum

Can a box be too shallow?

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Raymond Grimmitt Dec 21, 2021. 3 Replies 1 Like

I picked up two boxes for my first couple of attempts at CBG's; finished the first and I'm getting ready to start the second.The box I got is nice and long, but it's a bit shallow - only 2" deep. I feel like it'll be an interesting build but I'm…Continue

Removing box labels

Started by Robert Dawkins. Last reply by Order99 Jul 6, 2020. 8 Replies 0 Likes

My first cigar box is on the way, and it's a paper-covered wood one. As cool as the label might be, I'd rather have a plain wood box, so I can customize it to my liking...is there a set method of removing these labels, without ruining the wood…Continue

Build 2!

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Sean Murphy Oct 28, 2018. 3 Replies 1 Like

I built a second CBG, finished Monday night - I can't every do anything simply so I went with a knockoff of a pic I saw on this site recently.It actually worked out really well! I didn't cut a sound hole but the resonance is so good I'm considering…Continue

Best/"Easiest " Way to notch out CBG Neck......?????

Started by Brian M Nusser. Last reply by ChickenboneJohn Nov 14, 2017. 16 Replies 0 Likes

Hey Everyone!!I am planning on building my first CBG in the near future, and am looking for some suggestions on the best way/easiest way that you have found to notch out the neck? I must admit that I possess very rudimentary "woodworking" skills,…Continue

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Comment by Wagner Richter on April 16, 2014 at 4:18am: I bought a manual Gittyman making CBG from Keith Stanford, and still have not received the link to download the manual, I wonder what went wrong?

Comment by Wichita Sam on April 10, 2014 at 8:42am: James, of cutting thin wood and paper covered , I like the cutoff tool that looks like a little circular saw blade. The compound cutoff discs will try to burn through which can scrouch the paper on covered boxes

Comment by James A OBrien on April 10, 2014 at 1:03am: Which cutoff blade do you use Sam?

Comment by Wichita Sam on April 9, 2014 at 3:40pm: A dremel cutoff too works good. Use it a lot on paper covered boxes with thin walls. Draw saw on thicker boxes.

Comment by Dave Shantler on April 9, 2014 at 4:32am: Sounds good! Thanks, Keith....I'll check it out.

Comment by Keith Stanford on April 9, 2014 at 3:58am: Hey Dave - Very simple solution for you. Get Mordacai's CBG Making book at www.GittyMan.com

Has several tools for doing that and step by step 'photos' on how best to make those cuts.The really neat thing about his book is that he has a complete parts list of where to buy every tool and component you will need to make a complete CBG.

Enjoy the journey amigo!

kieta

Comment by Dave Shantler on April 9, 2014 at 3:38am: Thanks, Brian and Rand.....appreciate the advice. Looks like I need to swing by Harbor Freight. I especially liked the box cutter idea. Seems like that's about as clean a cut as you'll get.

Comment by Brian Revels on April 9, 2014 at 3:27am: Hey Dave, depending on the box (paper covered or wood) I use a combination of a coping saw and a box cutter. I use the box cutter (razor blade) to score the bottom cut until the piece is able to be snapped off and out. I imagine a Dremel with a cutoff wheel would work as well, but have only used one of those on a cookie tin banjo dulcimer I recently made.

Good luck!

_Brian_

Comment by Rand Moore on April 9, 2014 at 3:26am: Hi Dave.

I use a fine toothed "razor saw" to cut the slots for the neck to go thru the box. Seems you can get them at craft supply stores. Another alternative would be the Japanese pull saw from Harbor Freight, the one people swear by for cutting fret slots. They are a lot cheaper, so buy two, using one just for cutting frets and the other for you fine cutting work. You can Google "Harbor Freight" and "Japanese pull saw", or "Razor Saw" to run down leads for buying these saws.

-Rand.

Comment by Dave Shantler on April 9, 2014 at 3:14am: Hey everyone....working on my first and was wondering what the best tool is for cutting the rectangles at the end of the boxes to lay the neck through. Any suggestions?

Thanks