So making a radius is not easy for the... tool challenged. That is, if you don't have the right tools and we all don't at one time or another. So I devised a clever tool to sand down a fretboard to the radius I wanted.

I picked this idea up from watching some luthiers sand down the fretboards on a Youtube video. They had a long block with an interior radius and sand paper in and ran the fretboard over it. Ok, I don't have that tool, but I do have a sanding block. Well, a length of 1x2 poplar.

I thought about it and then came up with and idea that uses tape layered in a fashion so that there was more tape on the ends than in the middle. The block is flat but the tape creates the 'radius' Since the sandpaper smooths out the ridges, the final fretboard looks REALLY great (pic to come).

-WY

Views: 4109

Replies to This Discussion

Love it!!! That's a winner for sure!
Thanks Wes, I'm trying that one!
Thats brillent must do that myself. Now that you have the radius on the fretboard cover it with sand paper and radius another block. Kind of like making a mold with the fretboard
Wow! so simple even I might give that a try!
Lot better if I can spell 'radius'.

-WY
Badda Bing!
-WY


Shawn said:
Thats brillent must do that myself. Now that you have the radius on the fretboard cover it with sand paper and radius another block. Kind of like making a mold with the fretboard
PICS of the sanded fretboard.

Wow! It works like a charm! I'm doing that from now on!

But then you have to adjust your fret slots a bit, yes?
Good question! REAL good question. I assume for depth. Answer is yes. That is, not too much but you need to be aware that the center is higher (slightly) than the edges. Cut accordingly.

If you have a slotting jig that sits on the fretboard, you can rock it and get the depth even.

Also, you can add more tape to make a tighter radius as well, you can make the block wider (mine was a spur of the moment build, but you folks get the idea.)

Shawn mentioned making a positive (convex) block or use a radiused fretboard and sanding another (larger, longer, better) block. Brilliant!

-Wes



Diane in Chicago said:
Wow! It works like a charm! I'm doing that from now on!

But then you have to adjust your fret slots a bit, yes?
DAMN, I just realized this. One could use [a better made version] not only to create a radius but to level frets with fine sandpaper! Kinda like those in the StewMac site.

-WY
Here is another good idea

http://buildyourguitar.com/resources/tips/radblock.htm

You might even find a scrap piece of ply that is curved already OR you can use some pressboard.
-WY
Hey Guys, please forgive my ignorance but Im not getting the concept. If there is tape on the edges of the block with sandpaper in the middle how does the sanding block not make a U-shape on the neck?...looks like you are getting the opposite desired effect, Im just not following. I realize Im overlooking something obvious...thanks!

take a look at the last post I did. I am now using something like the radius sanding block as that.

 

-WY

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Using & Making Templates

Started by John Sims. Last reply by BrianQ. Sep 5, 2018. 4 Replies

Punches

Started by BP - RabidSalad - Aug 15, 2015. 0 Replies

A Simple Fret Scale Ruler

Started by John Sims. Last reply by Brown Water Jerry (Rice) Jun 30, 2015. 7 Replies

fret construction

Started by Allan. Last reply by Monterey Jun 28, 2015. 8 Replies

Milk Paint & Natural Pigments

Started by Monterey Jun 28, 2015. 0 Replies

Homemade Wood Stains

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Monterey Jun 28, 2015. 22 Replies

Custom Made Logo Decals

Started by John Sims. Last reply by Monterey Jun 28, 2015. 11 Replies

Holding down fretboards for gluing

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Joe Caruso Apr 12, 2015. 9 Replies

Simple Fret Depth Gauge

Started by John Sims. Last reply by Joe Caruso Apr 12, 2015. 3 Replies

Easy way to glue down a fret board without it sliding

Started by John Rivers. Last reply by Steve Walker Mar 18, 2014. 1 Reply

Sharpie safe varnish for saving signatures on CBGs

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates Jan 2, 2013. 4 Replies

Strap buttons on the cheap

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by jamie bark Aug 10, 2012. 16 Replies

Side markers on the REAL cheap!

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Soul Cat Guitar Uke and Amp Nov 28, 2011. 10 Replies

Homemade Dot Fret Markers

Started by Jerry. Last reply by Jerry Oct 26, 2011. 5 Replies

Fretboard radius sander on the cheap

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates Jul 14, 2011. 12 Replies

35mm metal slide storage box

Started by nick tyson. Last reply by nick tyson Jul 7, 2010. 2 Replies

questions about installing a pickup

Started by Hey, TURN IT DOWN!. Last reply by Outhouse Instruments May 30, 2010. 4 Replies

Dent removal

Started by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates. Last reply by Phil Delpierre May 19, 2010. 2 Replies

Stains for wood

Started by Robert Hynden. Last reply by Robert Hynden Apr 13, 2010. 2 Replies

Blog Posts

Spammer Alert, Beware!!!

Posted by BrianQ. on September 11, 2023 at 6:30am 0 Comments

Montana Mandoline

Posted by CaptnCatfish on August 27, 2023 at 6:26am 3 Comments

Banjo 2

Posted by Ian Boyd on August 26, 2023 at 10:58pm 1 Comment

Latest Activity

Ghostbuttons commented on A.D.EKER's photo
Thumbnail

Mickey Headstock

"Not too long ago I made a Mickey diddley bow wish I had thought of this and had the knack."
2 hours ago
Ghostbuttons commented on Bill Turner (Wunkyman)'s photo
Thumbnail

Contessa

"This is art, plain and simple. Upside facto you are an artist."
2 hours ago
Ghostbuttons commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"This is a fever dream in the best possible way. Someone out there is gonna sling like they have…"
2 hours ago
Ghostbuttons commented on Howard Craypool's photo
Thumbnail

Cutting window screen

"Like seeing the inner workings, cool."
2 hours ago
Ghostbuttons commented on CLG's photo
Thumbnail

Deathiversary of my son Klaus.

"A suitable recognition and remembrance. And a gorgeous guitar."
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"It’s my standard BrianQ! It’s got slots for the screws to allow adjusting if the neck…"
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"Thanks BrianQ! There is a seller on Etsy that does them with the letters you want. I got some help…"
2 hours ago
Ghostbuttons posted photos
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"Thanks BrianQ! Blue is my favorite color and fortunately it worked for this guitar."
2 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"Glad you like it BrianQ! I had fun with this one."
2 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Double Neck License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

"Love the tailpiece design!!!"
3 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
3 hours ago

Events

Music

© 2023   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->