Official Luthiers Forum!

I just tried another way to level the fretboard that seems to work well.
Especially if you like to fret your fretboard before attaching to the neck.   
It is simple and worked well.
I typically try to build my guitars so that the neck angle matches exactly
the body angle. So with a dead level fretboard, the bridge position and
height are perfect for my saddle. (No change in angle at the 14th fret.)
(neck angle figured out in the design of the guitar for optimal bridge and
saddle height)
But I like to fret before attaching by pressing in the frets. Obviously this
doesn't get you a chance to level on the body of the guitar which is
probably the best.
This time after setting the neck to the body dead level with out the
fretboard, I simply attached the fretboard with very thin 2 sided tape.
Leveled the fretboard on the body and neck. I then took the fretboard off
to fret. I know that the 2 sided tape is not the same as a glue joint, but
it seemed pretty tight.
Has anyone else tried this???? Any comments or Suggestions???

azimmer138794.7285300926

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

On my previous guitars, I have bolted on the fretboard extension. (AKA
Bourgouis sp??? Mayes etc) With the strong birch ply fretboard paddle that
is tied into the upper transversal, the fretboard just flattens out.

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Thought about loosening up the fit from 14th fret to the end to reduce if not eliminate the backbow on the extension, and CA the last few in? I`m working on the same thing tonight, and am almost doing things the same way you are.

_________________
Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

Andy, I attach the neck and level, remove the neck and glue on the fretboard, attach and level, remove again and press all the frets, using the extension caul that Cumpiano has in his book. I leave the caul attached to the neck until I'm ready for final attachment and gluing. No backbow and no hump. After it's glued down, the frets can be leveled if needed. My first didn't need it.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Hesh
Do you press them in with caul, drill press, arbor, jaws???
I have been using my drill press and the table broke. I need a stronger base
What do you use??

Also, very wise to use Lacey's inlay as your avatar pict
Andy

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Hesh...You haven't been building guitars long enough to even get dirt on your clamps' price stickers, and you're turning out beauties like that! It's just not right!!!

Thanks Andy for that great tip!!!!!

Hesh, WOW,you are getting quicker by the minute, awesome neat job there bud!

Beauty of a guitar there Hesh!

_________________
http://www.presnallguitars.com

I now use my T-rex fret press instead of hammering. I sand the board to 280, ease the fret slot edges with a small file, then a coupel coats of liquid wax on the FB. I do this so the CA will easily peel off after the frets are pressing in and I run the bead of glue across one side of the fret. Seems to work pretty well - If I forget the glue, cleanup is a bit of work with a razor blade.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"