Need help on my lap steel project

[shobudmaverick]

Well its time I tried this but i really dont know a whole lot can someone help me get started on my first build Im looking to build a simple six maybe eight string lap steel I really need some dimensions on the length.

[Bent]

Hi I don't know much about lap steel but I will suggest first of all that the scale length is the deciding factor. Decide on your scale length and from there you decide how much wood you want behind the keyhead and also at the end of the string hook-ups at the other end. Add those 3 together and that will be the length of your lap steel. In other words: Say your scale length is to be 24 inches... then you add a half inch behind the keyhead and then an inch in front of the string hook-ups. So this example shows: 24+ 1/2 + 1 = 25 1/2" overall length

[shobudmaverick]

Ok thanks I just dont have any experience building at all its something I really want to do though and hopefully after a lap steel I can go further.

[Bent]

There are experts on lap steel on this forum, so you just keep posing your questions and learning..eventually we will help you get that steel made

[sheepdog]

Hi
I will gladly post you a PDF of the plans I did for my first 8 string lapsteel, although it involves some fairly tricky woodwork skills. If you want some good straight forward plans try this site....
http://www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/lapsteel/

Check out this link for my build........

http://photobucket.com/albums/hh509/Raypalf


Best wishes

Ray

[sheepdog]

Hi
The PDF of the link to my 8 string is here.....

http://db.tt/BhHtJxxd

Ray