Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm building a Les Paul clone and using cocobolo for the FB - This piece looks very much like Brazillian RW - anything special to glue this to the neck? I was thinking to wipe the surface w/ acetone and use titebond as usual - or should I use epoxy? I've heard of adhesion problems associated with this stuff due to the oils in the wood. Any suggestions?

I've always understood that you need to use epoxy for this wood. I've never heard of anyone trying it with titebond, but I'm sure someone has at some point!

Trev

_________________
http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

The critical part of any glue-up is good fit and high surface energy. Get high surface energy by preparing (sanding, planing, scraping) a NEW surface right before joining.

Solvent wipes at best haven't been proven to help on oily woods and at worst could ruin your chances of good adhesion. Skip the solvent wipe, and DON'T skip the fresh surface- it's the most critical part, by far, in two well fitted components.

It's possible that a specially formulated epoxy might bond better in the presence of the extractives, but high surface energy joints have been proven to work reliably with the common adhesives (titebond et al)

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thanks - I'll use the epoxy - thanks again!

In my opinion it is fine to wipe the joint with acetone or other solvents. There also is no proof that this is detrimental to the glue joint. I myself and I know many who have used this method and never had a glue joint failure because of this....Mike

I did some test pieces using freshly sanded coco and mahogany a while ago- the Titebond glued pieces could easily be snapped apart, while epoxy held quite well. It is a bit more trouble but worth it IMO. Some cocobolo is like gluing wax paper......

_________________
It's not the miles ahead, it's the stone in your shoe


In Markham,Virginia

I used epoxy - it worked perfectly - Thanks!

+1