New Tail Vise

As I started my first cuts on the new Cigar Box Lap Steel Guitar build I quickly realized I was working with the wrong vise.

As I was using the Japanese Ryoba handsaw I noticed it was dancing off my marked lines a bit due to vibration. Not wanting to spoil my work I stopped right there and started shopping online for the correct vise to be using.

I finally took the advice of a tool shop I use in Hartville, Ohio named Hartville Tools. They pointed me to Lee Valley Tools in Canada for good quality inexpensive wood vices.

I ended up ordering and receiving, complete with assembly plans, their tail vise screw set with plates and turn handle. I will end up drilling a couple of large holes and adding some wood for the jaws.

All in all this should give me the space and clamping power I need to cut out any vibration so there will be no more dancing off my cutting guidelines.

Cigar Box Lap Steel Guitar - Beginning

I must apologize for not posting to Wood Finery for the past 6 weeks. I had my left knee replaced and it took a real toll on me physically and mentally! I am doing much better now and attending physical therapy twice weekly. Still some swelling but certainly moving forward!

I have decided it is high time to build my first ever Cigar Box Lap Steel Guitar! The picture in the upper right corner shows my humble beginnings. You have to start somewhere, right?

I'm using a red oak blank cut to 32 inches long x 4 inches wide x 1-9/16 inches thick, a piece of leopardwood for the fret board and beautifully lacquered cigar box that I ended up paying a pretty penny for (but I think it will really be worth it).

At this point I have the lines laid out to make the peg head cuts and will start cutting this weekend. I'm taking this project it bit slowly as my knee allows.

Stay tuned as I post more pictures of my progress. I think this one will be a real sweet sounding beauty!