Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on November 11, 2010 at 11:59am

Looks like a "butt joint". I would try something different, there just isn't a lot of surface area there. Dowel pins. or tooth pics would surely help, but I think I would glue and screw.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on November 11, 2010 at 1:25pm

Yeah, some small screws should do the trick. If not some sort of reinforcement from the outside or underneath if there is room. Decorative metal plate as an L bracket?

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Permalink Reply by BenBob on November 11, 2010 at 3:41pm

That seems like a lot of stress for a butt joint though. I might try epoxy.

Here's a great chart about adhesives: http://www.renwks.com/encyclopedia/glues.htm

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Permalink Reply by li'l Stogie Amps & Guitars on November 11, 2010 at 4:03pm

Hey Matt I think if it was mine I would replace the tail piece. If you still want to go with wood do it all in one piece, or reinforce it underneth in metal.

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Permalink Reply by carverman on November 11, 2010 at 4:03pm

A butt joint like that is bound to fail at some point even with glues like titebond. The reason
is that end grain in the bottom piece is very difficult for glue to penetrate, and endgrain always
accounts for a weak joint in wood working.
A thicker bottom piece that allows strong hardwood dowels (at 2 dowels at 3/16 inch dia) would certainly allow some strength at the joint from the constant tension of the strings.
A dovetail or box corner joint (like the cigar box corners) is a much more elegant solution
and it looks nice too, if properly done as the two pieces then interlock into each other.

If a handcut dovetail is not something you want to tackle, then the box joint is a much
stronger joint for it's size, and that is what I would recommend making to solve
your TP coming apart.
The dowel method is cheap and dirty and takes less effort, but it
is going to be difficult to drill straight dowel holes in thin wood like that.

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Permalink Reply by Delvero on November 12, 2010 at 12:27am

Thanks for all your replies! I originally went with a single piece but it looked too big and boxy. I want to keep this tailpiece all wood for aesthetic reasons and carverman, while watching pbs last night the box joint will be the way to attack this, allowing me to use the same tail. Thanks again for all the fine suggestions! D

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