Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey all, I asked this question once before but never got a solid answer. I was wondering if any of you would have an idea of how to cut out the control plate part of a pickguard to be replaced with an alligator style brass control plate. The only response ive gotten was to trace the shape and use an exacto knife and just go at it untill its thin enough to just break off, but theres gotta be a simpler way. Any suggestions?

That would be one way of doing it...

There are many kinds of cutting tools... if you are really inexperienced, and you want it to look really nice, take it to someone with the proper tools and experience... if you don't care for it to be just exactly perfect, get a fine hacksaw blade and go to it

Im going to bring it to someone else. What should I tell them?

You could ask Milo to do yours for you...

I hear he's good at that sort of thing

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa16 ... C_0133.jpg

Thats sick! But all I really need is to cut a piece of plastic. lol. Would a normal band saw, or circular saw the trick? Or would it get too messy?

try a jig saw and then sand the edge to be smooth. it sands and cuts pretty easy. use a fine jig saw blade like a metal cutting blade

Straight edge + box cutter + patience

The buffer away on it to ensure you don't have a razor's edge!

A Dremel would work with the right blade.

A dremel will work, but it spins so fast it tends to melt the plastic, and that really makes a mess.

If you use a jig saw, be sure to protect the surface of the pickguard or you'll scratch the hell out of it.

A band saw will work as long as the teeth are fine enough.

I'd still use a plain, fine hacksaw bland and just take my time... there are just two small cuts.

Actually I'm waiting for a pickguard from someone to do just exactly what you are talking about...

Or...
Talk to John at Terrapin Pickguards and have him fabricate the exact shape for the pickguard you want. He's a great guy & easy to work with. They have all the right toys.

Peace
M

mgbills wrote:Or...
Talk to John at Terrapin Pickguards and have him fabricate the exact shape for the pickguard you want. He's a great guy & easy to work with. They have all the right toys.

Peace
M

Marty,
Any chance you could post a pic of the blue guitar as an example?
I don't have access to a pic right now.
Pete

I'll try & remember to do it tonight. All that stuff is on my home computer.

Pete B.'s Tiger/Strat.

Peace
M

I guess this would be a good thread to ask this in...

What about cutting brass? is it hard? And also drilling the holes, would any old metal bit do the job?

Dude the issue is how well can you cut / shape the brass plate for the control plate. If the answer is infinitely well then you don't really care what the plastic cutter does. If the answer is my brass plate is shaped like x - I would take it along. it dictates the cut fer chur

what pickups are you going to us?