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im making a custom pickguard to cover some unused cavaties on an electric guitar. i have a sheet of .090" ABS I would like to use. what is the proper way to shape this with hand tools? thanks

I used a file, and then sandpaper.
Then a buffing wheel for some shine.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I would probably cut it on my band saw but you said hand tools so I would use metal shears (they come in left and right handed depending on how you approach a curve. If you are following a pattern then a router with a follower bit - possibly one with a bit of a radius (but again, that's not a hand tool). Then radius the edge with a file and sand paper and buff as Chris describes.

how about a coping saw with fine blades files and sandpaper. thats what i have. just dont want to wreck this blank.

That should work, you might want a medium or coarse blade on the coping saw. You won't know until you start to cut. Make sure to support the pick gaurd material close to the cut, that will help to keep the material from chattering and chipping.

Steve.