Beginner from Melbourne

[Binary01]

Hi there woodworkers,
My name is Liam and I'm just another beginner jumping in to learn and hopefully contribute wherever I can (currently not much!)...
I hit 30 a couple of years back, and after having spent much my life studying (engineering) and then sitting at a desk I was suddenly drawn to buy a few tools and attempt to do something useful. I started with a fence replacement, then some wooden gates then some basic plywood furniture odds and ends. Now I'm keen to move to some finer work starting with a telecaster style guitar.
I've already been reading these forums for quite a while and glad to have finally registered so that I can participate more.

Cheers,
Liam.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Liam.

[Binary01]

Thank you old1955

[_fly_]

Just finished mine.
Norfolk Island pine.

Doing a blackwood SG now.

[Binary01]

Just finished mine.
Norfolk Island pine.

Wow, that's a stunning tele!
I'm not sure what wood I'll use for my first shot, but I'll probably go with whatever I can get cheaply that is as light and dry as possible, because I'm sure to bugger it up and would prefer it not destroy a $150 body blank
I've never used a router before (reading the router section here and shopping for one now) so it is going to be interesting. I'm picturing my wonky misaligned neck pocket already.

[_fly_]

I cheated, got a canadian maple pre-made neck of ebay 38 bucks.
I just made the holes in a block of wood and screwed it all on.

Think all the bolt on stuff cost me maybe 70 bucks (neck included) on ebay.

[tdrumnut]

Gidday Liam, welcome aboard may your journey with us be a pleasant one.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Liam".
There are a huge number of members in and around Melbourne.
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork.
Cheers crowie

[Binary01]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I cheated, got a canadian maple pre-made neck of ebay 38 bucks.
I just made the holes in a block of wood and screwed it all on.

I'll be buying a neck for my first build too. But even routing a body and having the purchased neck poke out of the body in the right direction looks like challenge enough at this stage.

Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.

So long as it's not a disaster I'll be sure to post some WIP pics.

BTW, is it normal on this forum that I don't have enough privileges to view or edit my own profile (or view anyone else's profile)?

[JJF]

welcome aboard

[Binary01]

Thank you.

I just bought a piece of QLD maple off another member on the weekend, and a triton workstation with router table from eBay - so I'm almost ready to start!

[_fly_]

You won't need the router table, but you will need the router.

Make yourself a template from chipboard or mdf.

Cut the outside with with a bandsaw.
Then double sided tape the template on top of the body and router the cavities with a reverse flush trimming bit.
It has the bearing on top shaft rather than the bottom.

I can let you use mine if you want, PM me if you want to use it.

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.

We do not mind the work in progress if it's good or bad. The good parts we look and admire the bad parts we encourage and suggest. The beauty of the internet is to allow people to share their thoughts with people that understand what it takes to make something as you have just discovered in this thread when _fly_ responded to you.

Having fun is the main part of the hobby.

[Allan at Wallan]

Hi Liam and welcome to the madhouse.

What part of "Melbourne" are you in? Eltham Woodworking Club
could be of interest to you as they have an excellent guitar maker
within their ranks.

I wish you every success in your endeavours ... let's see pics as
you progress.

Allan

[Binary01]

You won't need the router table, but you will need the router.
<snip>
I can let you use mine if you want, PM me if you want to use it.

Thank you for the advice and offer. I'll give it a go myself first but nice offer in-case I get stuck. I've printed the the tele drawings 1:1 from tdpri.com to make a template from.

We do not mind the work in progress if it's good or bad.

Good to know - I'm sure there'll be some blunders along the way that will need community comment.

What part of "Melbourne" are you in? Eltham Woodworking Club could be of interest to you as they have an excellent guitar maker within their ranks.

Funny you should mention that! I am in Diamond Creek and was reading on the Eltham Woodworking Club after my boss mentioned it to me (I work in Eltham). After reading their website I thought I should develop some more skills, or at least have a go before apply to join, but maybe not(?)