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Fret-board Glueup

One issue I've had when building guitars (CBGs, Strummersticks, etc.) is with gluing on the fretboard to the neck. After spreading the glue around, it's pretty slippery and difficult to clamp in the perfect position. Adding another clamp often adds to the aggravation. Here's my solution - drilling fretmarker holes thru the fretboard into the neck when everything is still dry. I used the 3rd and 9th fretmarkers here. Then spread the glue, place the fretboard onto the neck, glue and tap dowels into the holes, and then clamp the heck out of it, as typical. The pegs keep things aligned perfectly! I'll add other fretmarkers later once it's dried.

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Albums: CBG No. 42 Arkansas Strummer

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Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on January 15, 2018 at 10:20am: Dave - I always use some sort of fret markers. In the past, I've used rub-on decals made for that purpose, 'branded' them in using a cigar lighter and nail/screw/bolt, did your famous contrasting paint or stain technique, but always wanted to try inlaying or (more likely) doweling. So this dowel technique serves a dual purpose and makes gluing to fretboard to the neck a whole LOT easier! Using the same flushcut saw that I use to saw in the fret slots is simplicity itself! Bought a couple at Harbor Freight a couple years ago for about $8 apiece. (The last I checked, HF's flushcut saws have changed - maybe too wide for frtting, and there seems to be some degree of 'set' which makes them less ideal for use as a flushcut saw!)

Comment by Dave on January 15, 2018 at 8:32am: That is smart!

Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on January 13, 2018 at 1:47pm: Maddog - in hindsight, this is too obvious! Sad that it took me so long to figure it out!

Comment by Maddog on January 13, 2018 at 9:12am: Always the thinker eh Gary? Great idea! Really a pretty fret board too!

Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on January 13, 2018 at 6:46am: Yep - thanks Dave & Unc! Been there too many times to think about - - it's just so danged slippery; must be like herding squirrels!

Comment by Uncle John on January 12, 2018 at 11:06am: Good idea. I use about 3-4 top clamps and several side clamps. And they have still moved on me!

Comment by Dave Lynas on January 12, 2018 at 9:52am: Nice method Rev! I use friction clamps on the sides of the neck at the nut and tail end to hold the fretboard in position. Then a flat oak caul with lots of clamps to do the sqeezout and cleanup.

Comment by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on January 12, 2018 at 8:49am: I'm sure this isn't an original idea, but I'm surprised that I hadn't done it before. I use a flushcut saw for cutting fret slots, which is perfect for trimming the dowels after it's dry. It'll be easy to add more dowels for the other fretmarkers later. And I can attest to much less (MUCH less) cursing involved!