Lap steel build

[Mike]

Well, I decided that I am definitely going to build a lap steel. I've never played one, but I want one. I could buy one of the $100 specials, but that's no fun. It is going to take me a while-- at least a couple of months-- and I'll try to detail as much of the process as I can.

I want to base it off of this, minus the pearloid. I figure the shape should be pretty easy for a beginner woodworker like me. I plan on making the bridge and nut out of aluminum, which I will be ordering next week. The pickup will be a GFS Minitron, which won't be in stock for about two months. I already received the tuners, which seem pretty nice.

Today, I got wood at a local shop (how's that for a twss setup?). Here it is, with a squirt of naptha to show the grain:





The big piece is Black Limba. The two potential fretboards are Canarywood in the front, and Jobillo in the back. I know virtually nothing about these woods, I just liked how they looked (and could afford them).

I'm not sure how I am going to do some things yet, mainly the fretboard, any binding, and the control plate. I have a few designs drawn for the bridge, but I'm not sure if I am able make any of them with the tools I have. Anyone have a mill...? For the fretboard, I think I am going to inlay it into the body a bit. I am thinking about making 1/8" fret slots, and inlaying some sort of fancy wood as the markers. I'm considering binding with some of this, since I think I have a router bit that will work to cut the channel. I still have no clue on the control plate. I might order another sheet of celluloid tortoise.

Anyway, if you guys are interested, I'll keep this post updated as I progress.

Mike

[skullservant]

Interested to see it come together!

[Chankgeez]

[Mudfuzz]

:snax:

[AxAxSxS]

That's some nice looking wood!

TWSS

Will be cool to see this come together.

[lapsteel]

Nice!
Gonco for the board, canary for binding and fret markers.

Gonna be purdy!

[Mike]

I've been working on some design stuff in Sketchup this weekend. I'm trying to come up with a plan that is workable with the tools I have. I also drew up a slot-cutting router jig that I will use to slot the fretboard (and any board up to 12" wide and 3/4" thick).

Gonco for the board, canary for binding and fret markers.

That's pretty close to what I think I am going to do! I plan to use the jobillo for the fretboard, for the contrast. There will be enough black limba scraps leftover from the body to use for the fret markers. I am going to make a jig like this one to thickness-sand the scraps to 1/16", and inlay them into the slots. I'm still not sure on binding-- it might be too ambitious for my first project.

In the next few days, I will order some router bits for the woodwork, and some aluminum for the bridge/nut. I want to finalize my plan this week, and hopefully get to some template work next weekend.

Mike

[Mike]

Man-- holidays, family, and out of town guests keep getting in my way! I have made a bit of progress, though.

I have come up with three different bridge/nut designs. Today, I ordered the aluminum that I plan on using for them, and it should be here tomorrow.

The only other things I am missing before I get started are nice screws, and a few tools-- two router bits, a replacement sanding spindle, and a couple other small things.

Progress to come-- soon... ish...!