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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

Interested to see it come together!

Chankgeez wrote::snax:

That's some nice looking wood!

TWSS

Will be cool to see this come together.

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

Gonna be purdy!

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).

lapsteel wrote: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

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...!