Official Luthiers Forum!

what is your favorite tool for those transition areas on the neck. You know the ones, the hard to get at places directly behind the headstock and directly in front of the heel curve.... rasp? file? sander?
thanks,
b

I bought some of those Dragon rasps a couple years ago and could have kicked myself for not getting them 25 years ago. I almost complete the whole area using rasps now but I rough it out first with a chisel and then finish it with a violin makers knife and scrapers and sand paper.

Funny, I have the large course one... I ordered the small fine one today


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Rasp, file (jeweller's for wax - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JEWELLERS-DO ... XQeKNTMCcs,) abrasives (backed by various erasers or dowels) and add scrapers.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Four in hand rasp/file. Very versatile, but wear gloves unless you like blisters.

I like to use one for almost all carving jobs - not just necks, but forearm cutaways, belly cuts, radiusing, etc. Plus, it's a good workout for the arms.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

I use a combination of a 1/2" chisel, a fine Dragon rasp, and riffler files.

_________________
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

Low pressure on a die grinder with a flap wheel attached ...

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

Rough it in with a sharp chisel then the small fine Dragon Rasp.

Previously used a smaller Grobet rasp and still do to some degree but the Dragon rasps get the most use.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Router

Chisel and oscillating spindle sander.

B

_________________
My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

I think you are going to find that combo works great, I have both large but having the large coarse and the small fine to finish up will work out well.

Nicholson rasp followed by a Grizzly inflatable rolling pin sander. You have to be careful with these sanders because it is easy to remove too much wood very quickly.

Skew chisels, one of either hand followed by sanding.

Dave M

I used this set on the last couple of necks, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078QJ9HZY?ps ... ct_details. Heck of a deal for $21 and change. I also use the Griz sander Barry spoke of.

What area are you guys talking about...sorry I do not get it....

Right behind the headstock and right in front of the heel curve... they are typically not easy to access because of the dramatic curves directly adjacent to them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was assuming you were talking about this?

Yup


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This caught my eye, could be useful for neck sanding.
Lee Valley.
Sorry about the massive pic.

_________________
My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Forgot about those bow type sanders


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really like using the drums from my Ridgid spindle sander.

In the past, I have used all edge tools and have really found it a pleasure. My last one I Incorporated a coarse dragon rasp and really liked the action and speed. I'll probably be ordering a small fine one as has been recommended.

If I was just doing it for fun, (and neck carving is the part that I enjoy most) I think I would stick with just edge tools. Draw knife, spokeshave, chisels, and my favorite a violin makers knife. Razor-sharp of course. Scraping and sanding towards the end.

Pat

_________________
Pat

I thought that you were talking about at the heel. Reading the OP, I see it is both. At the head it is far easier; way more open, and not so tight. I use 1/2 round Iwasaki files. I tried rasps, and didn't like the way they felt; like tearing. Maybe the Dragons are better? Then, I go over the whole thing with a plane blade; my scrapers of choice. The flat edge keeps everything even; but it isn't easy, you have to keep tipping it, and angling it. I do the same thing on fingerboards, but they are easier.

But I just do it for fun, so edge tools have more feedback.

_________________
Why be normal?

A long time ago I bought a rasp to try and use for guitar building and I thought they were horrid. Felt like doing a butcher job on a fine instrument. Then I got one of the Dragon's and realized the reason why I didn't like rasps is because the one I bought was cheap junk. They really do feel like cutting tools rather then ripping ones. It has to do with how the teeth are stitched into the metal and that they are randomly placed. I love those tools now. I'm sure the Iwasaki files are nice too though.

Cool. I'll keep my eye out for them. Still room in my file drawer.

_________________
Why be normal?