Hi there, I am new to the forum and to guitar building! I am thinking of undertaking a telecaster build project, cutting and finishing the body myself and adding original everything else. My brother is a skilled furniture maker so I am going to have him do all the woodwork If anyone could provide other useful links or tips for this project I would be very grateful. I am looking to paint the body in ice blue metallic with a white binding and have a few questions :-

- at what stage is the binding applied and how is this done to ensure it sits flush with the guitar?

- what radius of router is used on the guitar edges or whether this is not done when binding is being applied?

- whether holes should be drilled, through which to feed wires from pickups to the control box or if it is easier just to route channels for the wires to sit in?

- where I would be able to buy the dupont ice blue metallic paint and whether there are any particular issues with applying a metallic finish?

Many thanks,

Eoin.

You're a brave man to undertake a binding project for your debut.Basically do all your routing and drilling...cavities,ferrules,wiring holes etc before you start the finishing process otherwise if you leave any drilling or routing after you've finished then you are bound to scratch or chip the body and if you do that you're knackered as you'll have to sand back.
For the wiring it's a personal choice really,route or drill,either one will suffice.Binding is done before the finishing process starts.Go to www.projectguitar.com...that's got nearly everything on building and finishing.Basically whatever binding you decide to go with will be the depth of route in the body...and to do the routing you need a bit with a guide on it.It's all evened up whilst sanding down if the binding is slighly too big or again you can use a trimming bit.
If you use a solvent or oil based paint I would use a cellulose sealer and then prime it and sand.Don't mix water based products with solvent based.By the way are you using templates?

I do plan to use templates, the website i have found is www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com. Just to double check with the binding, am I correct in thinking that you cut the body then rout a section all the way around the front and back edges then sit the binding material in this groove? Is the binding attached to the body with a wood glue? and can it then be sanded to ensure it sits flush with the body?

Thanks for the great help!

I think you've summed that up quite nicely.Exactly that.If you come across sites on the web regarding binding most will probably use titebond 2 glue and secure the binding in place using lots of masking tape.I'd suggest practising first on a spare bit of wood.
1.you'll get an idea of how good a fit the binding is and
2.if the router bit is the wrong size you don't knacker your beautiful guitar body.
3.If you have a trimming bit with a guide bush on it that'll be easier to trim excess plastic on the beading.
Guitar building templates is Ron Kirns baby.Excellent templates and he'll do you a deal eg. if you don't need the neck template just say so and he'll knock down the price.Be sure to order quicker rather than later as he usually cuts to order and if he's busy then you might have to wait a few weeks.
Don't forget to post pics on here when your done.I'm about 4 weeks away from finishing my latest custom Tele...3 colour burst..thin body 40mm,Giovanni humbucker pickups with an All Parts Neck.I would have posted pics of past guitars but I had to get a new pc as the old one with all pics of past guitars went kaput !!