Official Luthiers Forum!

hi Guys
I don't have any carbon fiber but am planning the feasibility of using it in necks and was wondering how much it weighed compared to the same size of standard neck materials ( ie mahogany spanish cedar ect)

Thanks

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

About 1.5x the density of ebony, about 2.5x the density of mahogany

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thanks ouch sounds like heavier then I want for a light uke neck...maybe stick to wood only

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

CF in a Uke? Is that not like building a stick built home using all steel beams?

And, if you think you have tool issues now...

Mike

ok maybe that was a bit of overkill for a soprano but i figured if the density was close it was just a bit more insurance to nice stable neck whats the difference in weight between spanish cedar and mahogany? is there a place to look at the various densities of common instrument woods?

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here

http://www.exotichardwoods-southamerica.com/index.htm

Mike

so how does the stuff cut??

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

You need to cut it with a hacksaw or abrasive wheel because it's gross and likes to eat every kind of cutter, and it's pretty gross. I'd liken it to cutting the stuff abrasive wheels are made of, it's all black and dusty and icky. It's that way with most of the stronger composites.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

That looks like a cool document...but try as I may, all my searches yielded no index of refraction!

Mike

What is an index of refaction for wood? I know what an index is and I know that light refracts..but...?

I know I should not do this... viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=16893&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=index+of+refraction&start=25

Mike

I was curious about this a few weeks ago and did the experiment. I have a 1/4 x 3/8 x 3" piece of mahogany and a piece of carbon fiber rod with the same dimensions. I also have a gram scale that is accurate to .1 grams. Because I never get around to putting things away, they are still sitting on my desk. I'd expect the carbon fiber to be consistent in density but the mahogany sample I have feels like it is light. I've notice some pretty wide variation in mahogany's density.


Carbon fiber: 6.9g
mahogany: 2.6g
ratio: 2.7

WOW that is a pretty big difference I think I will stick to wood for the little ones
is it really worth the trouble or is denser wood better at least safety wise? Hmm since I will only be building ukes or classical I think wood would be the better way to go. (low impact building for me ie less chemicals and things that are bad)

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Zac

Anchorage Alaska

Finshed my 1st! See #1 here