Lap Steel - Finishing

I'm getting to the final steps on the lap steel. Last Sunday, I set the bridge in place, drilled holes for the screws, and lined up the first an last strings.

After Sanding through to 320 grit, I was able to start on the finish. I will slowly rub several coats of Tru-Oil everyday for about a week to 10 days.

LP Jr. - Double Cutaway

So, a few weeks ago I began working on a walnut double cutaway guitar with a set neck.

I cut the base of the neck to a 4° angle instead of routing the angle in the neck pocket.

The neck is made from three strips of curly walnut with maple and walnut veneer between the strips. The center strip is a lighter piece of walnut.

The neck was cut from the same plank of walnut that was book-matched for the top of the body.

The body is a three piece walnut with walnut veneer sandwiched between each piece. This weekend I sanded the body flat and sanded a 12 inch radius on the fretboard with 80 grit. Next, I will drill the holed for the side dots. Then I will carve the the back of the neck.

Lap Steel Project

In the past couple of weeks I've made some major progress on the lap Steel.
First, I routed out the interior of the headstock. I decided to go in this direction as the strings were rubbing against the side of the wood.

This weekend I began the final sanding. The body has now been sanded from 80 grit through 320 grit. Next weekend, I will sand one more time with 320 grit. And then I will glue the fret board in place.