Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on April 4, 2010 at 7:56am

Here is a pic similar to how I do mine.
( Not my pic .... from the wondrous web.)

Basically you cut the end off the neck blank at an angle, creating the wedge.
The wedge is then fitted and glue to the bottom of the neck blank.

Viola! scarf joint angled neck ... easy as pie.

There are other ways, but I think this is the easiest and simplest.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Salty Sea Empire on April 4, 2010 at 8:07am

i am wanting a longer headstock....but that helps alot thanks

Matt Towe said:

Here is a pic similar to how I do mine.
( Not my pic .... from the wondrous web.)

Basically you cut the end off the neck blank at an angle, creating the wedge.
The wedge is then fitted and glue to the bottom of the neck blank.

Viola! scarf joint angled neck ... easy as pie.

There are other ways, but I think this is the easiest and simplest.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on April 4, 2010 at 8:17am

Ok, 'nuther way to tackle the same problem .....

In this one the headstock end is cut at an angle, and the piece is simply flipped over and glue back onto the top of the blank on the cut.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Hey, TURN IT DOWN! on April 4, 2010 at 8:37am

I have seen Matt's joints, and they look good, and strong. I was confused myself about how to get a good joint till I got to see his up close, and it isn't so bad to do...like he said, cut it, flip it, and glue it!

Matt Towe said:

Ok, 'nuther way to tackle the same problem .....

In this one the headstock end is cut at an angle, and the piece is simply flipped over and glue back onto the top of the blank on the cut.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on April 4, 2010 at 8:59am

Here is my solution to scarf. Works out REALLY well as there are no other joints on the head. I also use a 13 degree angle. I use no pins but clamping (which sometimes I do) is a pain. I have a solution for that too. The trick is to get the scarf at the right place. There is a formula which I will need to post soon.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on April 4, 2010 at 11:37am

Here is a nice thread about scarf joins:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/class101/forum/topics/the-elusi...

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Permalink Reply by Alan Roberts on April 4, 2010 at 12:04pm

Uncle Dave Heaukulani in Hilo makes wonderful ukuleles. Here's his video on how HE does it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64dT9SC9hbA&feature=related
You can build a jig that would work with a table saw, but make sure it will hold your instrument neck while keeping your fingers WELL CLEAR of the blade, eh?

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 4, 2010 at 12:24pm

I don't use a joint, I cut my neck from one piece of wood on a bandsaw. I use 12 degree angle. and I have enough wood in the neck to cut the relief under the lid and form a heel joint. Takes a bigger piece of wood though, 2" x 2" works well. No glue, no clamps.

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Permalink Reply by ken farmer on April 4, 2010 at 2:08pm

I use an electric miter-box to get 30 degree angles. It's very safe, easy and fast. But that's more angle than I'd like - and for my kid workshops I'd like to go with hand tools. I'm planning to build a jig to cut a 11.25 degree angle and see how hard it is to cut through a 1x2 & 1x4 with a backsaw.

For glueing I've found the easiest way is to first clamp/glue fretboard on, then glue in headstock while neck & headstock are clamped to the table. The fretboard stops the headstock from sliding up-neck, a stop can prevent it from sliding down-neck, and the clamps to the table keep it true.

Works great until you clamp a wider headstock to a narrower-neck. I'm planning to build a jig to help with that.

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Permalink Reply by Nathan King on April 4, 2010 at 2:16pm

Josh Gayou has a VERY great group here on CBN where he shares many of his techniques and experience with us lesser beings.

Check out his post on scarf joints: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/smokehouseguitars/forum/topics/... and be sure to read his other stuff. Very knowledgeable, and very helpful.

Plus, he talks about luthier ninjas living in the mountains of Paraguay. How cool is that?! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on April 4, 2010 at 3:21pm

Great post Nathan. I make them the opposite of Josh but both are great joints.

-WY

Nathan King said:

Josh Gayou has a VERY great group here on CBN where he shares many of his techniques and experience with us lesser beings.

Check out his post on scarf joints: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/smokehouseguitars/forum/topics/... and be sure to read his other stuff. Very knowledgeable, and very helpful.

Plus, he talks about luthier ninjas living in the mountains of Paraguay. How cool is that?! :-)

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on April 5, 2010 at 1:15am

If your table saw blade is nice and square, the amount of sanding/planing/"fixing" is minimal. I mark a pencil line through both pieces of the neck when perfectly aligned, and then glue and clamp the pieces to the table using the pencil line to watch for movement.

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