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| Dovetail tenon length http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23122 |
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| Author: | ChuckB [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Dovetail tenon length |
For those that use the dovetail neck joint... do you vary the length of the tenon to match the next fret down from the body join? For example, on a 14 fret neck, do you vary the tenon length to line up with 15th fret (which would vary slightly for different scale lengths) for a future neck reset? Or do you use a standard length? I have been lining up to the next fret on my last five guitars, but prior to that was using a standard length of 3/4", which is a bit long for a 14 fret, 25.4" scale... Chuck |
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| Author: | TonyKarol [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
I never did .. 1/2 inch tenon, and a 5/8 slot .. so you get a gap to inject steam into inthe future when required. simply drill at an angle ... |
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| Author: | woody b [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 9:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
What Tony said. I do 1/2" for the tenon and 5/8" for the slot. The exception is when I do a bolted Dovetail. I make them fit tight(5/8" and 5/8") so the bolt doesn't pull the tenon from the slot. It take a little more work to fit it, but future re sets are easier. Obviously no steam is needed to take them apart. |
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| Author: | John How [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
Mine have a 3/4" mortise and a 5/8" tenon. unless I get a neck blank the comes up a little short, then I do what the others are doing. I think a 1/2" tenon is about as short as you'd want to go though. |
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| Author: | woody b [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
I'm glad to hear there's at least 4 people still using dovetails. |
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| Author: | TonyKarol [ Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
well Woody .. that was when I DID them .. years ago .. I couldnt be bothered any more, I personally dont see the point. and then there were 3 ..... |
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| Author: | Corky Long [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
Followon question - For those of you still using them - how do you cut them? Using a router, a backsaw, table saw, or other? I've been using the router method, and I think I need a better mousetrap.... |
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| Author: | Jimmy Caldwell [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
TonyKarol wrote: well Woody .. that was when I DID them .. years ago .. I couldnt be bothered any more, I personally dont see the point. and then there were 3 ..... I guess I'm the fourth. |
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| Author: | woody b [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
I use a router. I have my neck jig built to a 1 1/2 degree angle. I measure the body to make sure it's actually 1 1/2 degrees and shim the neck in my jig if necessary. I can usually do this with a small amount of fitting. |
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| Author: | Corky Long [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
Makes sense - where I seem to be having trouble is not so much the neck angle, but in the cut itself - I get a fair amount of chatter on the neckblock which seems to cause a cavity with sides that are not completely straight or smooth - fitting the neck into the neckblock then requires a lot of tweaking, etc. and on more than one occasion I've had to reglue shims onto the "tenon" (is it called a tenon if it's a dovetail? I dunno) What router and bit do you use? Thanks |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
My dovetail tenon is 3/4" with the mortise slightly deeper. |
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| Author: | woody b [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
The "chatter" you're talking about is probably either a bit problem or a router that's not strong enough. I use a CMT 818.658.11 bit with a 5/8 template guide. It's a 5/8" dia. 7 degree bit with a 1/2" shank. My router is a very old, very big one my Dad used. He's a retired building contractor. I'd compare my router to a 7518 Porter Cable. It took some practice on scrap with my jigs, but, unless I mess up, after routing everything I have the correct angle, a good fitting joint and the FB surface is about .030" proud of the top of the guitar. This give me a little room for flossing for a perfect fit. |
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| Author: | ChuckB [ Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
I use a router too and do the same as Woody and adjust the neck by shimming in my jig. I use the Stew Mac bit and find that if I go too fast, it will chatter also. So I just keep telling myself to go slow. I route the dovetail mortise in the body first, then check the neck angle for amount of shim for my jig, and before I route the tenon on the neck, I route a tenon on a scrap 2x3, check the fit for proper neck angle and if OK, I route the tenon on the neck. If not, I add or subtract the amount of shim as necessary in my jig and make another test cut and check the fit. When I am happy with the angle I will route the tenon on the neck...this allows me to start out with the fit a little closer and less adjustment time...works for me. Chuck |
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| Author: | Corky Long [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
Thanks! That helps. |
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| Author: | bluescreek [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
To me Dovetails are a sign of tradition. I still use Dovetails and use the same as above . |
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| Author: | Ricardo [ Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Dovetail tenon length |
I recommend you look at the Woolson jig. You set your upper body against the jig and it sets the angle for cutting the tenon. Worked slick for me. |
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