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Cutting a headstock angle

I know a lot of people just cut a recess in the headstock or use a larger nut height, but I like the look and utility of cutting an angle into the headstock. I've done it before using a bandsaw, but the shape is very compromised by opening the bandsaw guard that far. I pretty much use it to cut excess and then have to rasp it down relatively flat. I was wondering if anyone knew of a better tool or method to cutting it more precisely.. I'm probably going to make a jig for either my handsaw or table saw anyway, but a tool or different method might inspire me to make the jig better..

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on July 29, 2011 at 9:05am

i use a handsaw and a plane ala josh gayou's book. its in the plans section for free

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on July 29, 2011 at 9:44am

If you are careful you can cut with the bandsaw very well. A plane makes the joints much more flush. Use a wood vise to hold the work.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on July 29, 2011 at 10:50am

I use a bandsaw with an angle jig.( A "sled" with an angled fence.)

The a belt sander takes care of any deficiencies.

AFKAM

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on July 29, 2011 at 11:35am

here is a whole thread from a while ago about cutting a scarf joint:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/the-elusive-scarf-joint

If you search "scarf" in the box at the top right I think there are other threads about it that come up, too.

That jig has been real handy and was pretty easy to make. And the Jim frets video is great to watch. He has other vids about cbgs too, on vimeo.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on July 29, 2011 at 2:09pm

Auuuuugh! Diane it's not here...!!! Will look for it.

Actually found it at

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

-WY

Diane in Chicago said:

here is a whole thread from a while ago about cutting a scarf joint:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/the-elusive-scarf-joint

If you search "scarf" in the box at the top right I think there are other threads about it that come up, too.

That jig has been real handy and was pretty easy to make. And the Jim frets video is great to watch. He has other vids about cbgs too, on vimeo.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Hunt on July 29, 2011 at 6:26pm

Here is a nice video on scarf joints. While it is for a 6 string neck the process is the same for a narrow CBG neck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g29dInBtvcA&feature=player_profi...

hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 29, 2011 at 10:33pm

Well, that's fine if you've got a bandsaw and a bench planer/thicknesser, but you can do it just as well with hand tools. It takes longer and isn't as easy...but with hand tools you learn some valuable skills..and patience...always a virtue.

I usually cut with a handsaw and clean-up the gluing surfaces with my bench sander. The finish from the saw (hand, table or band) will only give you the basic angle, it won't be anything like flat or clean enough for a good glue joint. it's the cleaning-up that gives you a nice tight glueline.

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Permalink Reply by kickuntilitbreaks on July 30, 2011 at 2:23am

Ok, guys! Thanks a lot! I think a better bandsaw would probably fix a few problems I'm having, But I'm thinking about building a miter box with a low angle to do this stuff with.

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Permalink Reply by kickuntilitbreaks on July 30, 2011 at 2:30am

But, as I expected.. I gained some knowledge that will help me.. I knew absolutely nothing about scarf joints! I was just gluing a hunk of wood to the back of the headstock area of the neck and cutting an angle!

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Permalink Reply by Brian Hunt on July 30, 2011 at 4:39am

I don't have a jointer. I cut my scarf joints with my bandsaw and use a 12" disk sander to smooth up the cut. I have also used a hand plane as well.

Brian Hunt

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on July 30, 2011 at 5:16am

If you can find someone with a band saw, get them to make you a high quality miter box then do the cuts by hand. That would be the trick.

-WY

kickuntilitbreaks said:

Ok, guys! Thanks a lot! I think a better bandsaw would probably fix a few problems I'm having, But I'm thinking about building a miter box with a low angle to do this stuff with.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Dubman on July 31, 2011 at 10:52am

I haven't had much luck with Japanese handsaws, but some people swear by them. They're all a Japanese carpenter uses for everything from ripping to sawing unbelievably tight and complex furniture and architectural joints.

Reducing the set on a western handsaw makes it cut straighter. Use a hammer and an anvil or anvil-like chunk of metal.