Got the 2 laptops both done now. Updated Photos At End

[Andy DePaule]

Got the 2 laptops both done now. Updated Photos are at the end of this thread.
Took way longer than I expected.
My hands are becoming too shaky to be able to handle tools well at this point in time.
On the last short scale steel I slipped a few times with the tools (Files & drill) and scratched places in the finish.
I won't worry too much about that because I plan to keep that one for myself.

Just got the laptops with the lacquer finish on them.
Had the finish done in Saigon since it's still way too cold here in Oregon to spray lacquer.
They also do a great finish and only charged me about $45.00 for both.
I'd have spent more than that on a can of good lacquer not to mention sanding, spraying several coats, sanding down to 1000 grit and buffing.
No shipping since my wife brought them back with her.
I'm very happy with the way they look and hope to get them finished very soon.

[Greg Forsyth]

Hi Andy,
That is a great looking finish. Shows off your beautiful wood working, and makes the grain jump out.

[Chris Boyd]

Gorgeous !

[Barry Coker]

Beautiful Andy.

[Andy DePaule]

Thanks Chris, Barry, Greg Jim & Tim.
I have a friend making Bigsby style PU's for these now.
He will ship them next week so I can then route to put them in.
Guess I'll save the Alumitone PU's for some other project.
Andy

[Jim Pollard]

Looking really nice! As an IT guy the title really got my attention... did WHAT to laptops?

[Tim Toberer]

Very nice work you have there!

[Eric Dahlhoff]

I really love those New Yorker inspired laps Andy!!!

[Andy DePaule]

Thanks Eric,
And thats a nice ZB you have too.
Andy

[Andy DePaule]

A little update since my last post on this was over a year ago.
Due to health I had to give things a break but am now getting back to finishing these two lap steels.

Got the electronics done yesterday and have them both strung up now.
Both sound very good with the Alumitone pickups. I'm very happy with that.

I had to change my planned output jacks and will now need to make now aluminum plates to mount them on.

I have also decided to remake the stainless steel plates holding the tone and volume control as I didn't like the font I used the first time.
They are now being made for me in Saigon and I will be there for 5 weeks leaving here on the 12th of September.
I should be able to complete them both soon after I return in mid October.
Looking forward to taking photos of the finished guitars and posting them here.
Best wishes,
Andy

[Andy DePaule]

Photos of where these are now.

The simple jig I made for routing the pockets for the Alumitone pickups.
The opening measures 3&15/32" X 1&3/8" and was used with a 1/2" flush trim router bit with bearing guide.
That cuts a perfect pocket to 5/8" deep for a perfectly snug fit, but adjustable fit with no need to square out the rounded corners left by the router.
I had not known that Lace Alumitone will make 8 string pickups.
They would also be perfect for an electric bass.



So as stated before, I am only needing the new Control plates that's being made now and the new Jack mounting plates that I'm making today to have these both finished.



I'm thinking I will sell the long scale steel when finished and keep the short scale since I prefer that scale.

[Chris Harwood]

I too love the look of the National design of those. One thing that bugged me on the originals was on the 6 strings, the 5th and 2nd strings were "bent" around the 1st and 6th tuning pegs...like the designer didnt account for that and it was too late to make a headstock change. Do you have a clear run to your tuning gears, from the nut? From your pics it looks like you do!

Love the Bigsby headstocks too..in the earlier photos. Your finish work is stellar.

[Tony Glassman]

Beautiful work as usual !!!

[Andy DePaule]

Thanks Chris for the nice comment.
I also hate that same design flaw, so I measured carefully and made my pegheads a tad wider just so that the 2nd & 7th strings would not contact the 1st & 8th string posts.
I also put an extra step on the top of the pegheads for style.



Where the New Yorker is the same thickness throughout the body, I made mine to step down 1/8" from the center Maple to the Black Walnut and the another 1/8" drop to the outside Maple wings.
Looks cool and a little more stylish, but presented an unforeseen problem as the outer edge is now just 1" thick. With the 1/8" roundover that only left 7/8" for the plate to hold the jack.
Most of those available jack plates are an inch or more so I need to make my own with no room for error.

If I ever do this design again I will make the body about 1/4' to 3/8" thicker and avoid those issues. Live and learn!

The Bigsby copies are on my to do list, but I plan to finish my pedal steel first.
On the PSG I intend to sand and polish out the aluminum frame to a mirror finish before we leave for SE Asia next week.
If time allows I'll also attach the "floating" soundboard to the frame.

I also am restoring my 1930 Ford Model A as well as a recent purchase of a 1922 Chevy 490 Touring car.
The Chevy has been largely restored, but only had the primer. I will try to paint it this winter if it's not too cold in the garage.
That along with a 5 week trip to Saigon in 10 days won't leave me much time for anything else.
Best wishes,
Andy






When I got the Model A it had the usual stamped metal dash.
Was thinking of painting the wood grain like many have done, but then decided that since I've been a woodworker all my adult life I would make it out of wood like all the classy cars from those days.
I plan to also make the inside window frames this winter with Maple and Black Walnut to match the dash.

[Andy DePaule]

Beautiful work as usual !!!

Thanks Tony,
When will we get a chance to get together. Would be nice to see you both again some time.
Best wishes,
Andy

[Andy DePaule]

Got the first one done last month for anyone interested.
It's the long 24" scale. I plan to get the short scale 22.5" scale when I return to the US this week.
I put the long scale up for sale before I left and hope to sell it when I return on the 18th of October.
Tone & Volume controls with great sounding Alumitone pickup.
Comes with a nice padded soft shell case that has a large pocket.
I'll be keeping the short scale 22.5" one for myself.
I learned a lot doing these first two proto types and may do two more some time soon.

[Bill Fisher]

I like the Bigsby stuff. Thanks.

Bill

[Andy DePaule]

I like the Bigsby stuff. Thanks.

Bill

Hi Bill.
Me too, but I do want to finish the pedal steel first before I get to those Bigsby style items.
Thanks,
Andy

[Mark McCornack]

Andy,
Every time I see your work I am just gob-smacked! Just gorgeous.
Mark

[Andy DePaule]

The last one is finished! It took way too long as working with tools is becoming more difficult.
I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's and the right hand tremors make it so difficult working with tools now. Gradually getting worse as time goes on.
Anyway, here are the photos taken with my iPhone.







So even with some issues I have had to deal with they make a nice looking pair.
Next will be on to finish the Pedal Steel for myself.



Funny thing on the short scale steel was the block of Maple I used.
It's not quite Quilted, Tiger stripe or Birdseye Maple but I liked it none the less.
Not sure what the brown spots are that show on the back, but I like the way they look.
Todd said he didn't think it was suitable when I sent him photos of the board, but I decided to use it anyway and it worked out well.
It was a tad too short so not long enough for a one part center. I had to make the keyhead attach to the body with a large dovetail.
I'm having some trouble up loading 3 of thee photos so I'll add them tomorrow.