How do you make a Pickguard?

[Stereordinary]

I know some of you (fullerplast, Aug) are quite savvy when it comes to making guitars from basically scratch.  So my simple question is:  How do you make a pickguard?

[Aug]

Young padawan...serious about following the Jedi way, you are?  hmmm?

[Stereordinary]

Yes master. 

[fullerplast]

I for one, have only repaired, restored and assembled guitars from pre-manufactured parts.  I've never actually made one from scratch.

Hence, I defer to the great Augness here....

[Aug]

Yes master.   ;D

well...ok, then!

what are you trying to make and do you have a pickguard to copy?

[Stereordinary]

I'm making my own custom design.  I have a thread all about it here: index.php?topic=373.0

So, no I don't have a pickguard to copy, but I do have a template I'll be cutting out of 3/4"-ply birch.

[Aug]

hmm...well 1/4" masonite or partical board will be plenty.  Once you have a scaled drawing, you'll want to use an all-purpose spray adhesive (home depot, lowe's) to attach the paper to the masonite.  then, you simply cut it out with a jigsaw or bandsaw and you are on your way.

Drill the pickguard screwholes with an 1/8" drill bit into the template (as you'll want to secure the pg material to it during the cuts) and off you go!

Let me know if you have any questions...also, feel free to pm me for my phone number, as it will be far easier to explain.

[batchainpuller]

Aug - have you made any anodized guards? If yes, what material did you use? (I've heard that some have ben made using brass...)

[Aug]

Aug - have you made any anodized guards? If yes, what material did you use? (I've heard that some have ben made using brass...)

Not yet, I haven't, but we've certainly had quite a bit of discussion about it over at ss.org.  If memory serves, weren't the original Fender guards made of brushed aluminum and merely painted gold?

[Stereordinary]

And by "off you go" you mean taking my router to it with a template following bit right?  What size bit should I use?  Does it need to cut clear throught the pickguard material?

[Aug]

yea...just let the guide bearing do it's job...but, be careful, a router can (and will) grab your project and hurl it in a number of directions at Mach 3. 

this is what I use:

[Stereordinary]

Oh good!  That bit in the second photo looks just like a bit I already have.

I can see 1/2" and 1/4" shank bits in those photos.  Do you use two routers then?

[Aug]

Oh good!  That bit in the second photo looks just like a bit I already have.

I can see 1/2" and 1/4" shank bits in those photos.  Do you use two routers then?

Actually, I used to, but not anymore.  Almost all my routing is done on the table.  As for the 1/2" and 1/4" I use a collet. (Or whatever the damn thing is called.)

Sometime in the near future, I'll pick up another Freud router, but they sell for $200...

[Stereordinary]

Ah.  I just got a Craftsman from Sears.  It's 2HP which is nice and I can get Freud bits there, but I'm guessing the thing isn't gonna last forever.  But then I can exchange it for a new one! 

[Stereordinary]

So, I've been trying to find a bit for counter-sinking the holes.  What size would be appropriate for Fender pickguard screws?