Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a bass in my shop with a broken truss rod. I need to remove the fretboard. Usually, I use the old and slow method of heating an iron and loosening the board in small sections. But I'm thinking of getting the LMI fingerboard heating blanket. Do you have to use the temperature controller they sell or can you just plug in the blanket and use it alone?

Thanks,
Jeff

I purchased my heating blanket and timer setup from John Hall at Blues Creek Guitars.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Jeff

Those blankets get up to 500 degree`s that`s why they use a tempature controller to keep it down, otherwise you can decintigrate the blanket.

I have one of LMIs blankets, been using it for over 10 years now.
I don't have a controller to adjust the heat, I use a switch to turn the electricty on and off.
I have used it to remove a few fretboards too by laying it flat on a table saw deck and laying the neck (fretboard side down) on the blanket. Again, just cycling on and off keeps it from getting too hot.
Just a note, I would much rather have a heat controller though

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I've used LMI's blankets for years with a timer and thermocouple to keep an eye on
the temp. These can be very dangerous so always use a temp. control or timer and never leave it
unattended even for a few minutes.You could come back and have a shop full of smoke!
They are a very good tool if you're careful and they do a good job of softening the glue.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I made a controller for my LMI heating blanket. I also use it as a speed controller for my router. Do a google search for M028N power control. It is really usefuland quite cheap.

Ditto what Lance says...I have blankets from LMI and John...John's are less expensive and every bit as good as LMI...I plan to buy the LMI temp/thermocoupler rig if I EVER sell another guitar!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Thanks, guys. I think I'll give it a shot. I wonder if Blues Creek's temp. controller works with the LMI blankets?

The LMI blankets have a cupped plug that looks designed to work with their controller only, so you have to buy both, $302.30 plus some shipping. The LMI setup requires you to turn off the unit manually, keeping time with off line timer. The thermocouple must be plugged into the unit to read the wood temperature. Hopefully the plug sockets are sturdy!
Be aware I have never used the LMI blankets or controllers, and so have no first hand experience, but I feel I am pretty good at evaluating things from pictures and provided info.

John's setup is $235 plus shipping. The timer is wired in line, so that it automatically shuts down the power. I use the meat thermometer John provided with the whole getup to monitor the temperature and adjust the voltage accordingly. Not as fancy, but it works perfectly. I like the fact that my thermometer doesn't have to be plugged into the unit to function. I use it to monitor the temperature on my bending iron as well. I just wish the timer were 30 minutes instead of 15.

I got my whole current bending setup from John. He was very helpful facilitating my purchase.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

Double post.

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Old growth, shmold growth!

TRIPLE POST!!! AAARRRGHHH!!!

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Old growth, shmold growth!