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Rounding the back of the neck?

Ok, started my first build (finally) and am trying figure out the best method for getting the corners rounded on the back of the neck. Practicing on scrap wood, I've tried using a block plane and then sanding. This takes the sharp edge off, but is still not as round as I would like. Any suggestions?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on March 27, 2011 at 4:21pm

If you are doing it by hand, a coarse file (rasp) will to do the trick, but THE tool to use is a spokeshave.

Permalink Reply by Der Groovemeister on March 27, 2011 at 4:46pm

+1 on the spoke shave!

Permalink Reply by David Tutterrow GutBucketGuitars on March 27, 2011 at 8:07pm

Spokeshave it is! Thanks guys.

Permalink Reply by Steve Pollack on March 27, 2011 at 11:26pm

Spokeshave and/or Drum sander

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on March 28, 2011 at 1:25am

The spoke shave is handy for taking off relatively large amounts pretty quicky (be careful not to set it to take off TOO much in one pass), but you will probably have to work into the tighter corners at the heel and back of the headstock with something else, like a half-round coarse file or rasp. I use my trusty bench belt sander to do these radii and to even-out along the length of the neck. You can do all the work by hand, you don't need power tools, it just takes longer and more elbow-grease. I use power tools like my bench sander because sometimes I'm shaping 5 necks in a day, and it helps me work quicker, easier and more consistently, but I managed to build loads of guitars without one.

Permalink Reply by Der Groovemeister on March 28, 2011 at 5:45am

There are some nice Youtube clips about using a spokeshave which helped me a lot.

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on March 28, 2011 at 3:50pm

I use a spokeshave for the long flat areas and a sureform on the contours. Also shape a piece of wood for a sanding block, a nice curve can be used for final shaping after the rough cutting. 60 grit will take off lots of wood too.

Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on April 5, 2011 at 11:23pm

What about using a quarter-roundover router bit?

Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on April 12, 2011 at 2:11am

I use a spokeshave now myself but when I started out it was all rasp and rat tail files. Try a few different methods and see what feels best for you.

Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on April 12, 2011 at 2:13am

Chickenbone John is one of my favs. Listen to this dude. He can make anything sound like a million bucks given strings and time.

ChickenboneJohn said:

The spoke shave is handy for taking off relatively large amounts pretty quicky (be careful not to set it to take off TOO much in one pass), but you will probably have to work into the tighter corners at the heel and back of the headstock with something else, like a half-round coarse file or rasp. I use my trusty bench belt sander to do these radii and to even-out along the length of the neck. You can do all the work by hand, you don't need power tools, it just takes longer and more elbow-grease. I use power tools like my bench sander because sometimes I'm shaping 5 necks in a day, and it helps me work quicker, easier and more consistently, but I managed to build loads of guitars without one.

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on April 12, 2011 at 2:34am

I have tried all sorts of ways to do this - couldn't handle a spokeshave and not for me, so this is how i do 'em;

Measure out and mark off the beginning and end of "rounding" area or zone, making two double marks at each end, then mark each corner all along the neck within the "rounding zone", then gently gouge out the four corners within the marks.

Using a block plane take off the corners along the length of the neck being careful not to go outside the zone, then finish off the ends with a flat chisel...very tricky at first but works well.

Having got the right shape sand the whole neck until nice and smooth!

It is not really necessary to round the back of the neck in a half moon shape, i just like the corners rounded off to keep the strength along the neck...may not suit everyone but it works for me (-;

Permalink Reply by David Tutterrow GutBucketGuitars on April 13, 2011 at 8:24pm

Thanks for all the input. I've gone to Lowe's, Home Depot, Tractor Supply and three hardware stores in town and can't find a spokeshave. I guess I will order one on Ebay. As a follow up question about the shaver, I see them listed as flat, convex and concave. I guess the convex or concave is what I need, or is it? And convex or concave in relation to the shaver or the wood? Which one will round off like I need.

I'm excited about finishing my first build. I DEFINITELY have some room for improvement in the wood-working department...but that's part of the challenge I enjoy. Thanks again for all the friendly and helpful advice.