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I'm finally getting around to removing a fingerboard, and just before I started to get busy, I remembered that I had used CA in a few spots. The fingerboard was glued down using Titebond, but there were a few areas that I did some gap filling with CA, and now I'm wondering what temp I can expect it to release at -- or if it will release. Or will it release, and then after cooling, restick? I'm afraid I just don't have much experience with undoing CA glue joints.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Can't give you an exact temp that superglue will let go, BUT...when removing frets that have been superglued in, I use a large old fashioned soldering iron, with a fret-sized groove in the tip to heat the fret AND vaporize the superglue. My best guess is that the superglue will vaporize/crystalize (and let go) at somwhere near the temp that solder melts (500+ degrees??). Once zapped this way it does not reset.
That's not going to help you with a wood to wood situation as you'll scorch any wood you try to heat to release the superglue.
Depending on where the glue line is, once the FB is warmed to loosen the tight bond you might try coming at the joint with a very thin spatula knife and try to shear between the two glued surfaces. Also if you can get the FB to lift a bit, you might be able to go at the joint with a single edged razor blade...thinner and sharper that a spatula knife would be.
One other thought..if you are not involved with a finished surface area (lacquer, varnish, etc) you might try to wick in some acetone at the superglue site to help soften the glue to open the joint.

Good luck...and let us know what method worked.

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Hank Mauel

Michael, you can buy a CA glue releasing agent/solvent. Why use heat when you don't have to?

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Generally speaking,
At 100°C (212°F)CA retains about 50% of its bond strength.
At 125°C (257°F) CA retains about 25% of its bond strength.
At about 130°C (266°F) CA bond strength is about zero.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

remember that the fumes are nasty; ventilate and protect!!!!

Guys,

Thanks for your replies. Sorry for not replying to them sooner -- haven't even turned on my computer for a few days.

Don, I like the releasing agent angle. I'll bet it'll play havoc with a shellac finish, though. Any worries about wood discoloration, do you know?

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live