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Building a Strat

In the next several pages, I will be documenting the process of building a Stratocaster copy for Kaylee.  I have read good things about walnut as a body wood, and I just happened to have a very nice piece....

A ’63 Strat template set from

http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com

Gluing up the blank - its 4” thick, so I can bookmatch it

Cutting to length

Trimming the edges of the block to prepare for jointer

Squaring the block on the jointer

The block is squared on all sides now

Since my bandsaw isn’t deep enough, I am  bookmatching this on the tablesaw

Halfway there.....

Now, flip it over and do the other side...

Planing off tool marks and burns....

Blowing off the sawdust

The bookmatched piece, joined and glued.  Before cutting to shape with the template, the dried glue, pencil marks, and other blemishes will be skimmed off with a planer, then finish sanded.