Starting the fret board

First I have to cut the board to size. To do that I first marked a center line on the board.

Here you see my marked board. What I did is put tape down the sides. Then I used my drawing, old fret board that came off a Les Paul I determined the width at the nut and the 22 fret. I divided it by 2 and using my micrometer I marked out the board from the center line out. I then use a straight edge and x-acto knife to cut the tape on the mark.

I determined that I need to cut this at the 23 fret for length. Done with my table saw and miter fence.

I will be using my oscillating belt sander to grind down to size. You can see that I have also cleaned the sander so I can collect the dust and save it for filling any small gaps I may have when doing my inlay work.

Here I am finishing up.

Resting where it will soon be glued. I have to get the bindings on next.