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Gluing knots in fretboard
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=52656
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Author:  Bill Higgs [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 3:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Gluing knots in fretboard

I have some great Texas Ebony that I have rough sawn into fretboards.
Two of the fretboards have loose knots in them (see pics).
Would it be OK to use some thick superglue (cyanoacrylate) to stabilize these knots and level?
Would this become more noticeable when the fretboard is oiled?

Any suggestions on how to handle this would be appreciated.

Author:  DennisK [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

I'd sand up a bunch of fine powder dust and pack it in around the knots, and then douse it with thin CA. Not sure about the look under oil, but my guess is it will be fine.

I'd be a bit wary of using such a squirrely piece of wood on the neck at all, but I think Texas ebony is exceptionally stable so it might be ok. If you're going to have the guitar in your possession for a year or so then go for it and see how it behaves. And probably put the knotty area at the soundhole end, with a headblock extension underneath to reduce its freedom to twist.

Author:  Bill Higgs [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

Thanks Dennis, that's kind of what I was thinking.

Author:  SteveSmith [ Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

I've stabilized knots like that using epoxy mixed with fine sanding dust, similar to what Dennis said. I've got one on the wall that's almost 20 yrs old with a Tru Oil finish and still holding up just fine. It's on a side though and not a fingerboard but don't think that would be a problem with Texas Ebony.

Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Nov 24, 2019 9:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

Covering the knots might inspire you to do some creative inlay similar to what you show as your avatar picture. Dust and CA can also work.

Author:  jfmckenna [ Sun Nov 24, 2019 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

For open hole knots like the first image I dowse with thin CA and then just fill with epoxy tinted to match color. For tight ones I drop in thin CA then medium to build it up.

Author:  Clay S. [ Sun Nov 24, 2019 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gluing knots in fretboard

To fix open knotholes and hide other blemishes in furniture we used to crosscut a branch of the appropriate size and inlay a "knot". For missing knots it was pretty effective, for "blemishes" so-so.

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