Official Luthiers Forum!

Dear all,
Sorry for starting another spokeshave thread.
I have been thinking, dreaming and getting a LN spokeshave for shaping the neck for a long time.
I have tried LV LA shave and other brand shave, but ....didn't work for me. (hope I don't offend anyone...)
And I always have hard time shaving around the heel area.

I couldn't decide which flat bottom shave is more suitable, since I never try them before. Boggs Spokeshave or Small Bronze Spokeshave ?
I know that both shave are very very nice, but the main concern I have is whether the bigger shave might be difficult to get to tight area, like around the heel.
Is the small LN spokeshave more suitable?
PS, by the way, I am carving necks for ukulele, which is even smaller than guitar neck.

I really appreciate your input
Thank you.
JC

Hi ; Spokeshaves are one of the more used tools in my shop. (Chairmaker). I have the L-N small bronze one..and use it very little...but I like it alot, and it's perfect sometimes.Very light cuts. For the work your describing, I would recommend the detail (small) compas shave from Dave's shaves. http://www.ncworkshops.com/ Two sizes of Compas shave are common.....maybe the larger one for guitar, and perhaps the smaller one for Ukes. If you were to buy just one...the smaller will serve both better I think. Very well made, and stand up to constant use here. The nose is curved to get in tight places.

I've not tried the Brian Boggs unit. Looking at it. it doesn't appeal to me.


Michael

www.rakeandsplay.com

Disclaimer, I've only carved one neck, but isn't a spokeshave mainly used for the shaft?

I had to use rasps and carving tools to shape the heel.

Is anyone using a spokeshave for the heel?

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I like these little contour planes from Lee Valley:

http://www.leevalley.com/en/shopping/Ad ... px?p=46526

...and yes, I also use them for shaping the heel.

-jd

I'm whittling away on my third neck right now, and similar experience. 3/4" violin knife (http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproducts.asp?CategoryName=Knives+%26+Saws&NameProdHeader=Instrument+Maker%27s+Knives) is my main heel carving tool, followed by scraper to iron out the knife marks, and sandpaper for final smoothing. The spokeshave is a joy to use inbetween heel and headstock though Tempting to try a round bottomed shave to see if I can get closer to the heel, or even in the heel curve itself, but I'm not sure if it's possible. Not a terribly pricey experiment though, so I might give it a shot next time. I use the Kunz light spokeshave here http://www.diefenbacher.com/Spokeshaves.htm, which is only $20 for flat or curved bottom.

Well, Actually, what I meant was I want to use the spokeshave in between the head stock and the heel, but usually it is a little bit difficult to shave the area that is closed to the heel.

Since the blade sticks out of the shave, it might hit the heel when I am shaving closely to the heel.
That is why I was thinking about getting a smaller shave from LN.

Does any of my description making sense? I apology for my English.

Another vote for the small compass shave from Dave's Shaves. I love the L-N, but for neck work, the compass shave is my go-to tool.

Steve (another Mike Dunbar-trained woodworker:-)

Thanks for that Michael. I've been wanting "the right" spoke shave and I think that's it!

Cheers,
Danny

Steve; Nice to meet another Dunbarite.

Danny ...you won't be disappointed.I've got way too many shaves...but the Dave's is my main user still.

Michael

I have the LN round and flat spoke shave . We Use old stanley/marples/kunz/boker shaves to do rough out, and Ln for the final passes on the neck . In the tight areas of the neck I use a set of 3 mini bronze instrument makers shaves from diefenbacher tools. The LN is a limited tool for luthiery, as it takes an extremely fine cut, and has a very tight mouth. An aside , I just purchased the LN small shoulder plane, it is a great luthiers tool. Am finding new uses for it daily

Hi! Todd,
What is the difference between the small LN shave and the Boggs, besides the size?

Could you share with me why the small LN doesn't work as well for you?
Thanks a lot.


I tried a LV LA shave, but the blade just keeps popping out. I wasn't trying to take too much wood or anything...

Another option is to make your own spokeshave using one of Ron Hock’s blades. You can tailor it for your specific needs. Here’s one that’s patterned after Dave’s no. 0 compass shave. It has an adjustable blade and Ipe (ironwood) sole.




It took me about a day to make.

Joe

it look great Joe.
i really like self made tools/jigs

Thanks Bruno. I should have mentioned that they are pretty easy to make; there are instructions on the Hock Tools website to use as a general guide and just custom shape to suit your specific requirements… makes for a nice little fun and satisfying woodworking project.

Joe