Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Fretboard leveling

The beam I ordered from StewMac is the best tool I have bought since the Dragon rasps. However I think I am going to have to get a custom made 36" radius block. The 18" radius beam works great when you use it against the fretboard, but when I clamped it and used the neck against it it didn't work as well. It was hard to not rock the neck and cause low spots on the ends.
I think with a 36" block attached to the bench it would be easier to control.
Once again the Dragon rasps are worth every penny.

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Sanding Beam after a couple of passes with 80 grit
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Since I was doing 4 necks at a time I worked through the grits on each.

  • Initial rough of the radius 80grit

  • Remove the 80grit scratches with my 8" block and 120 grit

  • Hit the necks with 320grit on the StewMac beam

  • Buff out with 00 steel wool.



After I fret the necks I will take them to 0000 steal wool.

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The trick is to sand in one direction while not letting the beam off center. After a few swings, turn the beam around to unclog the sandpaper. It helps to use the shopvac often.
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Rough shape the neck with the spoke shave
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Couple of passes with the coarse then the fine dragon rasp
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Dragons with purple heartwood handles...
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