MOP Traps Feeler

[tulsah]

As a result of some of my CNC cut inlays making it to the forum (thanks ExNihilo and MRJ), I have had a few inquiries about making a set of MOP trapezoids. I had considered this before, but put it aside as the "debate" roared.

Anyhow, I thought that maybe I should just ask if there is interest in a set of these trapezoids, made to an agreed specification and feature list? For example, would there be interest in a set that exactly replicates those found on the Catto R10 plan?

If this is something that is of interest here, then I will start working on a prototype set. Thanks.

-tulsah

[MRJ5]

Speaking personally, the quality of your work is unquestionably top notch!
I would say a test run of Traps would be welcome.

Everyone has their own opinion of what is appropriate and may have their own favorite vendor. I say competition is good.

Bring em on!

[MRJ]

I second that!

[George "M"]

Definitely worth to start.

[Ole'Lefty]

I am just bowled over by the quality and personal effort you put into pleasing your customer. I prefer MOP but replicas require celluloid. If you could access the fake MOP celluloid you could provide the varieties desired by critical inlay purchasers- Catto # 10 is one spec, then there is a "historic" and then the Zamm which is workable to simulate certain replica satisfactory traps.

I am in the process of making lexan templates for three "brands"- if you make traps, please keep me advised-I will be ordering more lexan so I can offer templates for the traps and certain logos. I guess that sentence is silly-you can zap out templates better than I can-I route all 9 cavities manually with an overarm pin router.

I think another reliable source would be welcome. Ole'Lefty

[tulsah]

Well, I played around with the Catto R10 drawing this afternoon and came up with this solid model. I measured everything about 6 times over from within the pdf file and a scale print.

If everything goes to plan then I should be able to get a set of these cut sometime late in the coming week. I'll post more pictures for comment when I have the real deal in hand.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

On custom stuff, do you have the capacity to do multi-component logos-for example the "US Highway 61 Guitars"(TM) that I want-the white shield with black numbers? Do the shield sign with the cutouts for the numbers and then the 6 and 1 to lay into the cutouts, again, for example. Overall size will be about 1 1/8th" square. Thanks, Ole'Lefty

[tulsah]

Thanks Ole' Lefty for the comments above. As for the highway logo, it doesn't sound too difficult, but do you have a link to a site or photo that I could take a look at? I'll likely have a few more questions before giving you an answer. Thanks again.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Next time I go out of the house to the store, etc., I'll take some photos. Thanks, o'l

[Mongrel]

Yes, I would be interested in your inlays! I prob will be coming up with a custom inlay for my guitar designs. I will send to you when complete.

[NateM]

Definitely interested!

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

On custom stuff, do you have the capacity to do multi-component logos-for example the "US Highway 61 Guitars"(TM) that I want-the white shield with black numbers? Do the shield sign with the cutouts for the numbers and then the 6 and 1 to lay into the cutouts, again, for example. Overall size will be about 1 1/8th" square. Thanks, Ole'Lefty

I did a little digging around, and if you are thinking of something like a "Route 66" type of highway sign, then there may be some possibilities. If I am correct, you are thinking of a white MOP shield with any lettering or numbers cut out. Those same letters or numbers would then be cut from a contrasting material and inlaid into the white shield. Is this what you are thinking? If so, I would be up for taking a crack at it.

The one caveat to consider is that cuts to an inside corner will only be as sharp as the radius of the cutting tool (0.0125"). This would affect only the inlaid letters/numbers, which would then have to have their outside sharp edges rounded to match the cuts in the shield. At the scale that you are looking at, it would be nearly imperceptible.

Anyhow, if this is what you are looking for, give me a few more details of what lettering or numbering you would want to see on it. Thanks, and I hope that you are starting to feel better.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Tulsah-you have it nailed. It is the classic US highway sign, white shield with black numbers-in this case the numerals "61." So, what is sequentially bannered above by one sponsoring dealer is the same except for the number. This is my trademarked symbol for a line of guitars-that numbered shield . Thanks, Mike-(went back to medico just now-didn't drive the 18 city blocks to get to Highway 61;came straight home.)

[tulsah]

Thanks. I'll get started on a concept for you to see what can be done.

-tulsah

[tulsah]

I managed to get a set of 'prototype' traps cut today in figured white mother of pearl and matching the Catto R10 plan.

I think that they turned out very well. The corners on these are sharp! All of the edges are dead straight - anything in the photos that doesn't appear to be is due to camera distortion and the angle of the shot. As you can see in the photo, they are as near to dead on with the print as they would ever need to be.

I would appreciate any feedback that anyone might care to give. Thanks.

-tulsah

[SiriusAbbott]

awesome...phenomenal.....how much?

[Ole'Lefty]

Those look great. I much prefer the look of real pearl-but authenticity requires cheapie plastic.(Yours look like the DePaule's I use)

On a personal note-do I need to photo the sign for you? I forgot you are from the friendly country up north, so you would not have the daily exposure to the highway signs.O'L

[SiriusAbbott]

may I butt in?

[MRJ]

Those look great T.J.! We'll be doing some talking in the next few weeks!

[Ole'Lefty]

THANK YOU ERIK- Tulsah, I don't need the black surround-just the white shield with those numbers!!!--Saved by the Abbott-again.Mike T.

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

Those look great. I much prefer the look of real pearl-but authenticity requires cheapie plastic.(Yours look like the DePaule's I use)

On a personal note-do I need to photo the sign for you? I forgot you are from the friendly country up north, so you would not have the daily exposure to the highway signs.O'L

Thanks for the compliment. As for the Highway 61 sign, I have already started to work on it. I had a few other items in the queue that had to be finished first, but now I am reasonably clear.

SiriusAbbott - Thanks for the pic. It turns out that that is the exact one I had found online to use as a template!

Ole'Lefty - One thing that I will not be able to do is keep any inside corners cut to a sharp point. Of course, this is on account of the radius of the end mill (0.0125"). The "61" lettering that we hope to fit into the pearl would have its corresponding points rounded off to match the cutout in the white pearl. Also, I should ask, do you think that the 61 should be a tight fit to the sign piece? Thanks.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

I understand about the bit-am I reading right-bit diameter is smaller than 1/64th"(.01562= 1/64th inch)? If so, that amount of rounding is a mere wisp and should not take away from the "feel' of the logo. I don't understand what you are asking as far as numbers "tight." The proportion Erik posted would be my preference-and, overall size maybe a bit over an inch tall and width in relationship to that. Thanks-and believe me, there is no rush at all-I am so pleased for you that folks eagerly ask for your truly fine work. O'L

(PS-also please think about "MagicMustang" in one of those fonts like you did for the others that echoes the Gibson style-again, no hurry at all)

[NateM]

Those really look great. I definitely prefer them to celluloid in appearance!

-Nate

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

I understand about the bit-am I reading right-bit diameter is smaller than 1/64th"(.01562= 1/64th inch)? If so, that amount of rounding is a mere wisp and should not take away from the "feel' of the logo. I don't understand what you are asking as far as numbers "tight." The proportion Erik posted would be my preference-and, overall size maybe a bit over an inch tall and width in relationship to that. Thanks-and believe me, there is no rush at all-I am so pleased for you that folks eagerly ask for your truly fine work. O'L

(PS-also please think about "MagicMustang" in one of those fonts like you did for the others that echoes the Gibson style-again, no hurry at all)

Actually, the bit diameter is 0.025". The inside corners would take on the radius of the bit at 0.0125", and you are correct - at the size we're talking about, it is nearly imperceptible.

My question about the tight fit of the numbers is one of tolerances. I assume that the numbers to shield fit should be as near to size on size as possible - eliminating gaps that would need to be filled? My concern stems from the fact that the surrounding material would not be wood and a color matched fill/glue could be difficult. Does this make sense, or is it not an issue?

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Understand now. We need as few gaps between the shield and numbers as possible. I can develop a white, or black filler, as needed for appearance. I realize that the inlay within the inlay is the real sticky part with this design. One alternative would be to have the numbers a hair oversize and I could hand fit to the shield-but I think of that as a last resort-it steals 50% of the cnc benefit for a multi piece like this. Thanks, ole'lefty

[inspectorted]

Originally Posted by NateM

Definitely interested!

I second that. I'm ready for some right now.

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by inspectorted

I second that. I'm ready for some right now.

Email sent ... thanks.

-tulsah

[tulsah]

Ole'Lefty,

Take a look at these images and let me know if this is what you were thinking. I might even be able to give it a test cut if you are liking what you see - everything but the black pearl as I don't have any at the moment. I could take a look and see what I can substitute for the time being.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Tulsah-that is perfect. I have some black pearl coming. Thank you so much-and---great talent!. O'L

[tulsah]

Ole'Lefty,

I was fiddling around today with your logo idea, and came up with this. What do you think in general? I still need to tweak the numbers a bit as they will not fit when cut size on size. The CNC machine is just so accurate. I think that if the numbers were compensated to be half a thousandth smaller all the way around, then they would fit just right. I'll keep you posted.

-tulsah