Block Assembly

Block assembly for both SSJ and Nylon is done. Assembling Blocks need very precise fitting for curved sides at body head and bottom. Head block needs extra efforts for neck joint and cut-a-way portion. This three dimensional fitting seems very complicated; however, this is a pretty fun project for me. I use Lie-Nielsen model makers plane, Stanley block plane, and my home brew curved sole plane. Those three planes combination makes the complicated job so easy.

SSJ and Nylon assembly

Back, side, top are completed. SSJ and Nylon models are now assembling. SSJ has a L-shaped head block. Nylon model has a traditional u-shaped head block. All head and tail blocks are Spanish Ceder. You may see both models have beautiful Yellow ceder laminated inside. After completed the assembling process, I will polish inside, and apply couple of Shellac coats to make shiny surface.

Side bending and lamonate

I hate to write for things did not going well this week. I bended two side sets one for Amazon RW and the other for Guatemalan RW. Amazon RW that I have is a slab cut. I have never seen this much difficult material for side bending. I applied enough moisture, and then it was rapped with Aluminum foil before side bending. Aluminum foil prevents for escaping moisture during side bending. This technique works well most of side bending works even though a cut-a-way portion requires steep curve. So, I have to give up the Amazon RW material for the cut-a-way portion. I found a scrap Cocoboro material for this cut-a-way portion. Cocoboro was so much easier to bend.

There is good news. Guatemalan RW was also very easy to bend. Now, sides for SSJ and Nylon model were bended and laminated with Yellow ceder. I have been using Yellow ceder as a laminate material with good results. Yellow ceder is a guaranteed material to bend easily.