Neck Angle Correction

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Neck Angle Correction - Update

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Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

Neck Angle Correction - Update

To correct a neck angle problem on my old negra restoration project I was faced with 3 possible solutions.

1. Cut the neck off and re-set.
2. Plane the fingerboard.
3. Remove the fingerboard and create an underlying wedge for it, per the article below.

I chose number 3.

On 4/25 I was successful in removing the fingerboard with very little damage (a small indentation on the bottom edge of the fingerboard above the body where the palette knife was first inserted). The neck and fingerboard have now been scraped so they are pretty much free of the old glue. I don’t dare do any more scraping as I would be getting into the wood in places. The neck with the fingerboard removed still has about .016 relief in it which I will correct to zero when the wedge is glued in and planed/sanded to the correct incline to correct the neck angle issue.

To remove the fingerboard I used a travel iron on the steam setting, palette knife and broad putty knife and of course a heat shield over the body. It took more heat than I would have thought to soften the glue initially, hence the small indentation in the fingerboard, but once I had it started it went quite fast. Total time: Probably an hour.

I have a Spanish cedar neck blank ordered to create the wedge out of and it should arrive today. However, I have a nice piece of Popular that I and my neighbor who has a lot of wood working equipment will make a trial piece out of. We hope to do that today.

I have found that double-sided carpet tape is wonderful for holding things down/together temporarily while you make templates, sand or plane.

I want to thank both Pablo and Aaron for their helpful suggestions. I will probably have more questions when I get ready to glue up the wedge and fingerboard.

Fingerboard Wedge

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2006 10:54:20

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Neck Angle Correction - Update (in reply to Gecko)

Trial Piece Created:

Created the trial piece this morning. No major problems. Established a fairly level incline (wedge) 1/16" inch thick at the nut end and 1/4" thick at the sound hole. Final thinning and leveling would have to be done by hand after the wedge is glued to the neck. Measurements indicate that the final piece will have to be 0" at the nut and about 3/16" (probably less) at the sound hole.

Tools used: Belt and palm sander. Will have to use a long sanding block to due final work with once the real piece is glued up.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 27 2006 17:29:54

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Neck Angle Correction - Update (in reply to Gecko)

Fingerboard wedge completed and glued on. Everything is now nice and straight and level. Heck of a lot of work and very time consuming to keep everything level in 2 dimensions.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 1 2006 10:34:59