Pitbull guitar kits

[Drew Stephenson]

yep, I'm just sitting twiddling my opposable digits.

Well, I'm also editing a lead guitar part, but metaphorically I'm twiddling.

[Wonks]

You could be choosing the next kit. One is never enough.

[Drew Stephenson]

I got away with this one because we had a more-successful-than-expected year at work, and because I managed to rearrange things to make space for it.
There is no more space.

Also, when I royally f- this up I won't want to look at another one for years...

[Wonks]

Any note from the Post Office yet?

[Drew Stephenson]

Yep, came through today. Bit more than I was expecting in total, £7 in Duty, £46 in VAT (think they've calculated it on purchase price + postage, but what can you do?), plus £11 in 'clearance fees'. So £64 in total on a £208 (inc postage) package.

But we're not doing this for the money are we...

[zenguitar]

Yep, those are the rules.

Duty is charged on cost + shipping. And VAT is then charged on cost + shipping + duty.

Learned that long ago when buying tools & woods from StewMac, LMI, and specialist wood suppliers in the USA.

The main thing is that you now have a project to enjoy

Have fun,

Andy

[garrettendi]

Make sure to post pics as you progress!

[Drew Stephenson]

Indeed, i managed to completely misread the hmrc site last night. Ho hum. Bit under the weather. I blame Zoidberg.

[Drew Stephenson]

Well a box turned up today, it had some bits in: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8zoE1YIj4AI1xaTI3

[Wonks]

Is that a long mark in the top by the upper F-hole?

[Drew Stephenson]

Looks that way, didn't notice at the time but i reckon it's going to be a pita to sort out.

[zenguitar]

Gaffa tape

Andy

[garrettendi]

Even with that mark it still looks a beaut!

[Wonks]

Steam it out. I've commented on your build diary. I had to do it with a dent (probably caused during customs inspection) on the last kit I received and you can't tell it was ever dented.

[adrian_k]

Looks great, looking forward to seeing how it goes

[Drew Stephenson]

Think it's just a scratch rather than a dent or a ding but I'll have a proper look in decent light at the weekend.

Or gaffa tape...

[Drew Stephenson]

Looks like it's just a glue smear, should sand off hopefully.

[Sam Spoons]

use a cabinet scraper first, they don't tear up the grain like sandpaper?

[zenguitar]

+2

The cabinet scraper remains my favourite tool.

Andy

[Drew Stephenson]

I was assuming that since the whole thing will require extensive sanding I'd pick it up with that. However, whilst there's no such thing as a dumb question, not listening to the answer is a different matter...
It's not something I currently own but I shall have a look in my grandad's toolkit next time I'm down at my parent's place.
Thanks gents,

[Sam Spoons]

Time for a quick treatise on use of the cabinet scraper in modern Lutherie Andy?

[Wonks]

The body won't need much in the way of sanding at all. it's basswood ply, which is a closed pore wood and it won't have the machining marks that solid wood bodies will have. Normally just some tidying up round the F-hole binding and a drag sand over the body after damping it with water to raise the loose fibres. It's the neck that will need the most sanding, but even then, not a huge amount.

[Drew Stephenson]

That makes sense, cheers

[zenguitar]

It would appear that the trend in modern luthierie is to use sandpaper

But the benefits of a scraper are that it can be quicker and leaves a better finish. Plus you don't have to buy as much sandpaper and you don't get all that nasty sanding dust.

Andy

[Wonks]

Just scrapey dust.