Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on November 17, 2009 at 1:09am

Band saw for me. Go ahead. Kick yourself. I use mine all the time.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Ben on November 17, 2009 at 1:50am

I was getting super frustrated by this same thing. As long as you're still looking for a flat headstock and not one that's angled, you might want to think about using multiple pieces of 2"X1/4" glued together. You can vary the length of them so that you have "cut outs" for the headstock and the part that goes under the top if you're doing a through neck design. They are also extremely stiff and strong when made that way. My necks are usually 3 pieces of 2"X1/4" stacked. I drill holes through the middle piece (usually about 3 of them spread out) and then partway through the bottom one and partway though the top one. I can then use a piece of dowel to make sure the boards don't wander when I clamp them with glue. I don't have the room for a band saw so this is kinda my way around it.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on November 17, 2009 at 2:52am

Same for me, the dogleg neck. I start with 1/2" neck, I glue 1/4" stock on the top for a fingerboard, and glue 1/4" stock on the back of the head. I, too, have no band saw, and hate sanding anyway. I cut those 1/4" pieces on my little miterbox into 45" angles, and all looks smooth and tidy.

(And I use 1/2" stock for a heel, going into the box and butting into the tail end but not through. The neck either goes through, nor not, my choice. That gives enough thickness for a cutaway inside so the top rings free. Then I stumble over to the community woodhshop and use their bandsaw for the cutaway, but if you are angling your neck at all, you can get around this cutaway, too.)

Ben said:

I was getting super frustrated by this same thing. As long as you're still looking for a flat headstock and not one that's angled, you might want to think about using multiple pieces of 2"X1/4" glued together. You can vary the length of them so that you have "cut outs" for the headstock and the part that goes under the top if you're doing a through neck design. They are also extremely stiff and strong when made that way. My necks are usually 3 pieces of 2"X1/4" stacked. I drill holes through the middle piece (usually about 3 of them spread out) and then partway through the bottom one and partway though the top one. I can then use a piece of dowel to make sure the boards don't wander when I clamp them with glue. I don't have the room for a band saw so this is kinda my way around it.

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Permalink Reply by Keith Parmer on November 17, 2009 at 3:38am

Ben, Diane, Some pics of this process would be nice.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on November 17, 2009 at 4:19am

This is the idea, but this one was with all 3/8" stock for neck, head back and fingerboard. Keith Parmer said:

Ben, Diane, Some pics of this process would be nice.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on November 17, 2009 at 4:43am

Bandsaw, bandsaw, bandsaw. Amen Randy.

Randy S. Bretz said:

Bandsaw. Bandsaw, Bandsaw I couldn`t make anything without it !!

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Permalink Reply by Tim on November 17, 2009 at 5:08am

this is probably not the best way but i use my router table just run the bit up for the desired about i want removed then make several passes to get rid of the wood. then i use a dremel to clean it up where it meets the fretboard.

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on November 18, 2009 at 2:27pm

Bandsaw here. I even made a "scarf sled". A jig that fits the slide channel in the saw table, clamp in the neck blank, slide thru the blade, done.
Yep, it's really that quick and easy with a bandsaw.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Lou on November 18, 2009 at 2:48pm

Only got one build under my belt so far but all I used to shape the headstock was my DeWalt 3"x21" floor sander with an 80 Grit belt on it then switched to a 220 belt then stumped and finished it by hand.

My band saw is setting in the corner substituting for a coat rack these days, I suppose I'll use it sooner or later but it won't be on my second CBG (headstock is already done) which I'm slowly sort of in the process of building if I can find the time to get back to it.

A heavy duty floor sander is a good investment, it serves as a drum sander / shaper / stock remover / skin remover and Oh yes, a floor sander now and then. (:>}

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 18, 2009 at 3:10pm

Any chance you could post some pics of the scarf sled in its native habitat?

Matt Towe said:

Bandsaw here. I even made a "scarf sled". A jig that fits the slide channel in the saw table, clamp in the neck blank, slide thru the blade, done.
Yep, it's really that quick and easy with a bandsaw.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on November 18, 2009 at 3:27pm

How us a pic of this -- or a drawn plan. - WY

Matt Towe said:

Bandsaw here. I even made a "scarf sled". A jig that fits the slide channel in the saw table, clamp in the neck blank, slide thru the blade, done.
Yep, it's really that quick and easy with a bandsaw.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on November 18, 2009 at 8:32pm

I use 1 of those inexpensive small bandsaws that cost about $120 at Lowes etc. and its done fine up to this point. But It works ok only for what it was designed for.It will cut the angles I need to make my headstocks which are angled back to make the string angle easier ( faster) to deal with.
I checked Lowes tonite to see if they had the bigger bandsaws as I want to try cutting 2 or 3 necks at the same time. I need to be able to speed up the neck building process .I'm spending more time then I have building the 3 string necks and am searching for a faster way to get it done.
I need to be able to build more necks per week then I am now to keep enough stock so I'm thinking the $400 price of the bigger bandsaw might pay for itself and I wont feel so guilty buying such an expensive new "tooltoy"

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