Bit of Work in my "Shop" Yesterday

[Handfoolery]

Finally, it is time for finish application.

Finish is Mohawk Nitrocellulose Musical Instrument Lacquer.

I use a Preval Sprayer, a unit which consists of an aerosol pump sprayer connected to a glass pint jar. It will allow me to shoot professional grade finish without a compressor, as well as allow mixing of tints and solid colors if desired.

As you can see, full safety equipment is mandatory; nitro is a noxious, poisonous finish, but there is nothing quite like it, IMHO.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 31 by Handfoolery

[Handfoolery]

Final shots.

 

 

 

[Handfoolery]

While the finish cures, lets make a bridge!

I start with a rosewood blank and my bench hook.

 

 

and chop off one end.

 

 

[Handfoolery]

Then the other.

 

 

 

String hole locations are then drilled to /8".

 

 

 

[Handfoolery]

My apologies for the exposure. I am working outdoors and sometimes it cannot be helped. The light is ever changing.

I use a coping sawe to define the shape.

 

 

 

[Handfoolery]

And a chisel to shape the wings.

 

 

 

followed with a card scraper

 

 

[Handfoolery]

Before I can proceed to wshape the bridge any further it's bottom needs to be conformed to the radius of the top it will be glued to. The bridge is essentially a large brace for the top, and it needs to be mated in the same way the braces on the underside are.

I use a card scraper to slightly hollow the bottom out before hand, just to get a head start.

 

 

After which I tape some 80 grit to the top of the guitar roughly at the bridge location.

 

 

Then it's just a matter of sanding sanding sanding, being careful not to use too much pressure and put marks in the soft cedar top.

 

 

And after an almost intolerable period of time, we pull the paper away and see if we left any marks.

 

 

 

Whew! Dodged a bullet.

 

[Handfoolery]

Job done.

 

 

[Handfoolery]

All for now. We are caught up until the next video.

Thanks for looking at, liking and commenting.

[Grandpadave52]

Thanks for all the progress pics and updates Mike. The guitar body turned out fantastic. The neck and fretboard are spectacular. One beautiful instrument. I anticipate it will sound equally well. I've definitely enjoyed following this build. Looking forward to the next updates.

[Gunny]

Impressive, used to have a guy down the street that made clarinets.  Quite the craftsman. 

[Handfoolery]

Thanks, gentlemen.

I still have quite a bit to go. 

Need to flat sand and buff the finish, fret the instrument, remove finish under the fretboard extension and bridge, glue the neck to the body, make nut and saddle, and do all of the general setup to make it play well.

IF I can get a day that is warm enough and free of other things that need doing.

But hopefully not much longer.

And I look forward to hearing the first chords.

 

[Handfoolery]

So the next step in the process is to rout the saddle slot. I need to do this before I radius the top of the bridge, while it is still flat.

I use a 1/8th inch router bit. I use the same router jig I use to cut the truss rod slot. I angle the bridge on the centerline of the jig so that I get the angle on the slot that I need for string compensation.

 

 

I place a stop at each end because the slot has to be routed in multiple passes to avoid snapping the router bit.

 

 

 

Edited November 15 by Handfoolery

[Handfoolery]

Then it is just a matter of making those aforementioned passes, relying on the stops to keep me at the proper length for the slot.

 

 

 

[Handfoolery]

And the finished result.

 

 

Next job is to radius the top of the bridge. Thank you to everyone who is hanging in there with me.

Much appreciated.

Edited November 15 by Handfoolery

[lew]

Amazing work!

[Handfoolery]

36 minutes ago, lew said:

Amazing work!

Thanks very much, Lew!

[DuckSoup]

Coming along great. How did you hold your piece in place while routing?

[Handfoolery]

On 11/16/2025 at 12:18 PM, DuckSoup said:

Coming along great. How did you hold your piece in place while routing?

Thanks!

Double stick tape.

[Gunny]

Looks great!