When I saw the title of this video and then saw the clip of the table saw in the intro, I almost switched off. But I am so glad I watched it all the way through because there are a number of pearls of wisdom in there with regard to other methods and tools. And anyway just the humour alone makes it worthwhile! Thanks a lot for this channel I really enjoy it.

Not a fender guy but I do enjoy watching people work on guitars so... 👍

I like that. If I'm building a guitar I can make it the way I want. I did just that, the tele I made for myself has both contours.

I just did a belly cut and forearm bevel with an orbital sander Works really well

I dig it ! Thanks for your time sir .

Brilliant!

Impressive process!

Totally agree with your views on forearm contour. Usually I skip guitars with binding because they always dig in to your forearm and it gets to me after a while ;-) When I build my own guitars I also alter the angle like you do, it is just more natural.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear I'm not alone. although I do like the looks of binding on some guitars...with a good forearm contour it still feels fine.

@christianboddum8783

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks Yes, it's the german carve that get's you in trouble ;-)

I am a wood worker thinking about making guitars ( I don't play ) a great way to remove a lot of wood fast is using a scrub plane.

Perfect!!!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Julian. Nothing is perfect...but it is excellent. ;-)

Safe, fast, and repeatable. Love it.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

You have that right! Faster that my CNC...although the CNC can do the roundover too. But I love this jig.

I've used the block plane for this work in the past but the table saw method is amazing, Thank you

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

I still use the block plane...but this speeds up the process with better repeatability. That is a win!

cabinet scrapers . i use a shinto file to het the bulk off, a small number 2 plane to smooth it, then a cabinet scraper to get it ultra smooth

Great vid! Nice tools! Perfect bevel. Nice work! I'll sharpen up my block plane and give it a try.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Just sharpened my block plane the other day...I certainly don't do that enough.

Hi mate, just discovered your channel. I've just started building guitars, completed my first kit and pre-made component build and I've now moved onto a rough-cut P-Bass body build which needs full contouring. I intended to use the Shinto Rasp, I must admit I've kinda fallen in love with it and I was toying with the idea of angle grinders and fancy discs as I've spent most of my working life in the motor restoration business so I'm a bit familiar with their wily ways then finishing up with traditional methods. I've subscribed and look forward to going through your videos

Nice video! Cool idea with the jig and table saw

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

I took the idea from someone else...tweaked for my needs. I love it!

I feel my guitar IQ going up every video I watch!

Lol! Very impressive. Hats off! 30 sec! And the setup before the punchline!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Simple and fast can also be fun.

Damn right sir, make it comfortable. Best :-)

First guitar build is going on right now from a kit. Already bored with it, so going to start the next build from scratch, at least the body. And it will have a contour on it. Yes, build it the way you want. 1st step to this build, ordering your templates.

Yes you were lying, I did one with a chop saw, way way quicker than making a jig etc., however, I live in England so quite far to the east of you. Can be done easily with a handsaw too. Keep the offcut for testing finishes, etc. Wear a dust mask, gloves and hearing protection too.

That is a fine looking set up Steve. I think even dyed in the wool Tele nerds like the forearm cut.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Good to hear...I have read a lot of controversy on the TDPRI forum over the years...never made sense to argue about such things. Now...CNC vs Pin Router...that is a good argument! ;-)

@TexasToastGuitars

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks There is nothing to argue about there either... one is super sexy and the other is, well, CNC

Wish I had one of these when I was working on my forearm contour for a while today with my rasp!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

I wish I had it years ago! ;-)

my friend built a les paul style guitar, but he put in a belly cut and a small forearm comfort cut. looks gret, very much like a prs . sound great too. i dont think the cuts had an affect on the tone

WOW, Amazing. You are Good. haha

Well done! Next, let’s see a vid on the fastest belly cut in the west!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. The belly cut could be a challenge to figure that out. My head hurts just thinking about how that could be done. Too much math.

@Doug_Seidlitz

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks Similar jig on a bandsaw?

Any chance that you could go thru shaping the tummy cut and heel relief as well?

What would be the best way to round over the edge after you make the cut? Would it done by hand?

That is fast! You are way more educated and experienced on table saws than me. Seeing as they statistically remove a finger a day in the USA, I need to just tough out with rasps and Japanese razor tooth files.

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

All power tools require respect and proper use. People should use tools they are comfortable with...or seek proper education to get learn how to use tools safely.

I still don’t understand why Leo didn’t introduce contours to the Tele seeing as every other instrument Fender produced had them

@pauls_itchy_beard

8 ай бұрын

I think Leo thought interest in the Telecaster would eventually die out after Strat, JazzM, etc. were released.

I always thought that IS how it's done :D

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

maybe it was back in the day...not sure. I didn't invent it...but I made it work perfectly for my needs.

Forearm contour, belly cut and neck heel contour are the new features of Fender ultra series.

Ridiculously faster than any method

Table Saw for the WIN!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Not even close!

Oh boy, some people would probably not like my Tele/ESP F-10 body shaping idea I plan to do on my custom Tele build. 😅

A guitar should not hurt you. Point! :-) Thanks for your great videos!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

True! Thanks for the comment.

Could you not also do the belly cut with the tablesaw in the same way? Thanks for the vid.

Steve: Talk about heresy. Im going to do something like this on a las paul special. Although it will be a fairly minimal coutour, really just a very rounded edge and belly relief. I'm a little scared. What do you think?

oh yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc...success is fun.

Ryan went out on his own and only seems to post builds to Instagram now...haven't seen any new workshop videos.

Great video. I'm building a version of the neck contouring jig and I'm a bit unsure how to rig up the wheel on left side and the knob on the right to lock the jig in place. Would you make a short video discussing which parts to use?

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Did you ask me that question on my other video? I know I read that question recently...but probably didn't respond. Sorry. I was thinking about doing a live video on that jig...so people could ask question in real time while I have the jig on the bench...but that has not happened. I got the handle off Amazon...but it had like a 1/2" or 5/8" hole...and I was using 1/4-20 rod for the center axis. So I made my way up the Boulder Colorado to visit the world famous McGuckin Hardware...and found a bronze bushing that I was able to press perfectly into the handle hole...and it just happened to have a 1/4" center hole. Sometimes it is hard to find what you need online...and just need to go into the old town hardware store and search through the bins.

@Dennis-kj1kz

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks yes I did ask. Even a quick pencil sketch of the parts would be great if you have a few mins. Thanks again.

Just almost finished hacking one out with rasp, file and sandpaper then I see the. Damn. But I do not have kit to make jigs nor a table saw to cut it, so , thats life. am cotent.

I thought the disc grinder was quick... But this is damn quick. And a lot less dust I think...

I like the idea, I've never been a fan of telecasters bc they are uncomfortable. 20:37 , got a piece of the clamp there, didn't ya

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

NOPE! Not even close. Believe me...you would have seen sparks! What you heard was a fence slightly out of adjustment and the trailing side of the blade cutting more that the leading side cut...just by a hair.

Thanks for that. The reason I don't play the Tele is because it doesn't have the contour. I look like an even bigger idiot when the power chord etc doesn't happen because of the thick edge. I just put a Jim Dunlop Tele bridge pickup in my Strat Plus back in 1989.

Great vid Steve! I’m wondering if you would consider putting a handle on that dragon file.. otherwise I can’t watch! 😵😬

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah...that would be smart, huh?

And the back side for stratocaster?? How 🤔 ❓ 🤔

Would you consider doing this and a belly contour to a les Paul?

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

A forearm contour to a Les Paul wouldn't look right IMO. Other than a CNC...I haven't figured out a great way to do the belly cut without a lot of handwork. OK...I figured it out...and have the parts...but I have not had the time to build and test my idea. Maybe someday.

Great video, as always. I really want to try the table or band saw methods for comfort contours (I recall BigD uses a bandsaw to but his forearm contours). Side note: Shinto is pronounced shin-tow, not shin-too. It's also the name of Japan's most prominent religion.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Philip. One of my specialties is mispronouncing things. I sometime do it on purpose...and some time I make up words for fun. Which is a game that leaves me confused often as to what is actually correct. Feel free to keep me straight on future videos. ;-)

@palm444

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks Just how they talk in Coloradoo!

@murpsman

2 жыл бұрын

@@palm444 Coloradah

hey man keep up the great content, I just subscribed!

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

But did you hit the bell? Wait...that reminds me that I forgot to ask people to subscribe again in that video. How on earth did you figure that out? ;-)

Great jig! Yes, that part of the forearm contour is most definitely faster than my CNC! Now, how long does it take for you to smooth it over? My CNC starts out at the perfect angle and is tangent to the top of the body. That’s a lot harder to do by hand. By the time you get done with the files and smooth it over, I’ve already cut the contour, put the fillet in with the table router, sanded the cusps out of it and am heading back into the house for another cup of coffee! But hey, that machine cost me an arm and a leg! You’ve got me thinking maybe I should have just stuck with the table saw ;) Great video as always, I love to see your perspective. Thank you.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your nice comments. The smoothing over is pretty easy...5 minutes (or less) with a DA sander and 120 grit paper. The more time consumer part is matching the 3/8" roundover by hand on the edge of the contour. This is where the CNC could equalize the time. It the contour is getting binding...the CNC is by far the best way to add that feature to the sloped area. I would love to do everything with a CNC...but some things are faster with jigs and traditional machine tools. Plus, I have to come up with ideas for my students who generally barely have shops...let alone a CNC at home.

@bucknaked31

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks I do the radius by hand, too! I find that an orbital sander will do it quicker, because the toolmarks will be deep into the body when the ball cutter rolls over the edge. I try to use the CNC for things it’s good for and I do a lot of the same handwork that you do, that’s why I respect your work. You’re a great builder...

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, hopefully you still respect me in the morning if I start showing more CNC techniques. :-)

@bucknaked31

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks I’ve been doing it for a long time, but I still learn stuff all the time... it’s cool to see how other people approach the CNC. There’s still plenty of innovation and creativity there to explore... I still make mistakes occasionally... the marks and gouges on my clamps attest to my many mishaps over the years! Lol I’ve even got a tele neck hanging up in the shop to remind me that .4375 inches for the headstock thin comes from the top plane and not the back plane! It’s .125 inches thinner than it’s supposed to be. Nicest piece of flame maple I ever screwed up!

Great ideal. Can you sell the jig?

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

It would be a hard jig to make and sell to people. The reason why is that everyone has different saws...with different specs. I have a Baileigh 12" table saw...which is the same saw as the Grizzly G0696X...which allows me to make more shallow forearm contours. But the jig rides on the fence...which can be different for saw model. At this point, I'm willing to make custom jigs, tools, and templates for people...but one off items can be more expensive than what would make sense for most people. If you want to talk about custom production...feel free to email or call me. My contact info in listed on my website. maximumguitarworks.com

@r.llynch4124

2 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks I didn't think about that, Thanks. Where do you get your stainless inserts and bolts from?

The thing I usually post in response to those who have a cow over someone else's guitar is: #CalmDownItsNotYourGuitar 😁👍 Personally, I don't have a preference for forearm cuts. It doesn't even, bother me if there isn't one. I actually prefer to play a LP-style guitar over a Strat-style despite there being no contours. I'm sure if I checked my Silvertone S-style guitars, I'm sure they'd both have a different forearm cut than what you're showing on yours or Fenders lol.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

That would be appropriate for sure. I need one when people criticize a KZread video that someone else spent hours creating to try to help others. I really do not like social media...although I have also generated some good friends from people I have met through some social media.

@blazer6248

3 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks I know exactly whatg you mean. Can't stand it, either. I use it for guitar groups. That's it lol.

How about an electric planer, then a belt sander? That's how I will do it.

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

There are many ways to do the job. I am always looking for ways to do things more efficiently with greater repeatability.

Think it's Big D that cuts contours but with a bandsaw. - also the belly cut.

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Yes...I found that video. I'm trying to figure out a jig for the belly cut...but the table saw for the forearm contour is the ticket. Really fast and easy.

Watching these angle grinders biting into the wood made me nervous, I admit. 😅

@maximumguitarworks

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah...it is a commitment for sure. The more powerful the tool...the faster you can mess up! ;-)

Traditions are there to be broken.

A lot of feathers before you got to the meat, but a great presentation nevertheless.

How is your clamp recovering from the injury? LOL :)

@maximumguitarworks

2 жыл бұрын

Not sure what you mean? I you thinking the blade hit the clamp? Some other commenter thought that too a couple months ago. That is a steel clamp...if it hit...you would have seen sparks. The blade looked closer in the camera angle than it was. I had about 1/2" clearance. The sounds you heard was the trailing edge of the blade coming out of the cut.

@greg4272

2 жыл бұрын

@@maximumguitarworks Yes, I thought so because of the sound it happened to make just where the clamp moved above the blade.

Just grab it with both hands and head over to your belt sender. 30 seconds, DONE.

No mask?