Gretsch Streamliner modification project

[Sarah93003]

Thank you!!

I love the Bosch Colt. It is light and easy for me to handle. The cat eyes will be by hand as well. I haven't figured out a way to make a routing template for it, so,, I'm just going to be very careful and go for it.

[olrocknroller]

Thank you!!

I love the Bosch Colt. It is light and easy for me to handle. The cat eyes will be by hand as well. I haven't figured out a way to make a routing template for it, so,, I'm just going to be very careful and go for it.

When I want a template, I use perspex, or nylon sheet about 1/4" thick, cut the pattern into it, and file it smooth until it's exactly what I want...the nylon is cheaper up here, so for infrequent use, I buy a set of kitchen cutting boards for cheap, and cut them up as needed...

[Sarah93003]

I was able to get a little more work done between the parade this morning and fireworks this evening.

In a last minute decision I decided not to make the extra cat eyes the same size, but about 25% smaller. I think it gives a nicer looking effect. First step was to make an oak template of the size and shape I like.

Rough cut on the bandsaw.


Sanded on the disk sander, belt sander, and like little drum sander clone.



There, I think it will give the effect I'm after.



I never noticed it before but since I was working from the centerline of the neck I based my dimensions off of it. Surprising the two existing cat eyes were not exactly the same distance from the centerline. Perhaps it's because of the cutaway on the treble side and making things look balance. Whatever the reason I decided to follow suit.



My intention is to use the oak template for making the binding as well. I decided to try it out. Not bad but I used too much heat. I'll have to turn it down and be more careful.



Okay, we're ready to go!



The treble side had a hole in it already that I don't need so it was used for inserting the router. The bass side needed a hole drilled.



And here is the rough cut. I got close to my lines and then I'll file and sand from there. I only partially did the treble side because there is a metal hanger stuck on the inside of the guitar top. Now I'll be able to get it out and finish cutting the cat eye for that side.



Here is another view. Tomorrow night I'll finish cutting the cat eye for the treble side and start sanding, etc.




Okay, I am off to the fireworks! Happy 4th of July!

[MWaldorf]

great work Sarah - it's so cool seeing your vision becoming reality.

[JimPage]

Hey, Sarah--

That was an artistic idea to make the new cat's eyes smaller; they look in the correct proportions.

Good job!!!

--Jim

[olrocknroller]

Great job! You definitely have a knack for freehand work... Unfortunately, I have to compensate for my jittery hands with all kinds of spendy tools!

[Sarah93003]

Great job! You definitely have a knack for freehand work... Unfortunately, I have to compensate for my jittery hands with all kinds of spendy tools!

Thank you! I still chalk it up to a nifty router.

Thank you Mel and Jim! The decision to downsize the cat eye was such a last second thing but it certainly cured the "little something" that had been nagging me. I am very happy with the size.

[Sarah93003]

Teenie update.

I couldn't fully cut the cat eye on the treble side because of little hangers stuck on the inside of the top.



I was able to get under them with the blade from an Exacto knife and then scrape the remaining sticky foam.



With the metal hangers gone I could finish with the router. Now it's rough cut and time for sanding. I'm guessing I'm between 95-99% done with the cat eyes and just need a little sanding to be sure it fits my template and it should be prepped for binding.

Here 'tis!



I'm very happy with how it's gone so far. I'm thinking about how to do the binding. If I decide to use a single piece it has to be perfect all the way around. Heating the binding with a heat gun is a very tricky affair. It twists very easily and it's ruined. I may opt for a two piece approach just to make it more manageable.

[Veenture]

Heating the binding with a heat gun is a very tricky affair.

Sarah, just a thought: ...wondering if a heated-up soldering iron (of the 'right' type) could possibly do the trick? (i.e holding it near the desired surface -not touching it!).
Your Streamliner is really starting to be a looker, if not already!

[JimPage]

Sarah, I hope the rumor that you were going to add eyelashes to those cat's eyes, instead of binding, isn't true.

--Jim