Harvesting a Truss Rod

So I WAS building a walnut neck with a maple fretboard. When I went to plane down the headstock screwed it up....majorly....no I don't want to talk about it. My question is what is the best way to get the truss rod out?

I occasionally will get a mallet and sharp chisel, and make chisel marks on both sides of the rod down into the neck wood and also from the ends. Occasionally I'll go toward the center when I know I'm under the rod and not going to hit it. After a whlle the neck wood will yield, and you'll be able to remove the wood, and finally the rod. Use care and don't try to do it all at once. Employ all safety precautions like clamps and safety glasses if you think you want to attempt this. Basically you are splitting the neck in half, and don't whack your hand while you are holding the chisel. I've done that once or twice.

http://rusticlifestyle.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/20088_campfire1.jpg

You could iron off the fret board then easily remove the rod. I had to do that on my 2012 challenge build so search for that if you want to see how I did it.

You could iron off the fret board then easily remove the rod. I had to do that on my 2012 challenge build so search for that if you want to see how I did it.



yip I've done the same to a bass.

MuzikP has the right idea.

I did this on a couple necks I boogered. I cut off the headstock down to the anchor of the truss rod and the from the heal end drove the rod out. Once there was enough sticking out to grab onto with some vice grips, just pulled it out the rest of the way.

Of course with was a one piece neck.

There is the question of how bad did you mess up the headstock when planing it. Could it still be saved? I had something similar happen so I planed it down further and glued a piece of figured maple on top ready to plan again. So if its not too late you might still try and save it.

Depends on the type of TR.

If it's a single action rod, I leave it in the neck and move on.

If it's a dual action, I set my bandsaw fence slightly under the thickness of the fretboard and saw it off. Pop it out of the channel. Done. I've "polished" the tops of the threaded ends a few times but no harm done. :smile:

http://rusticlifestyle.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/20088_campfire1.jpg

This may be the method I use. :):mrgreen:

I did this on a couple necks I boogered. I cut off the headstock down to the anchor of the truss rod and the from the heal end drove the rod out. Once there was enough sticking out to grab onto with some vice grips, just pulled it out the rest of the way.

Of course with was a one piece neck.

There is the question of how bad did you mess up the headstock when planing it. Could it still be saved? I had something similar happen so I planed it down further and glued a piece of figured maple on top ready to plan again. So if its not too late you might still try and save it.

In my attempt to try and save it I actually made it worse. I am going to try Muzik. method before I move to the fire idea. It is a two way truss rod.

There would be no way to save the fretboard would there?

OK, here's another idea.... Take a rasp and start rasping the center of the neck away on the back side. Eventually you will see the rod covering and can slow the progress until the wood is thin enough to break it out. If you iron off the fretboard you may be able to re-use it. Try not to get too much of a bend in it from the prying motion as it will stay in that curve.

You could iron off the fret board then easily remove the rod. I had to do that on my 2012 challenge build so search for that if you want to see how I did it.

Ok so re-studying your build I am hopeful that I can possibly save the fretboard that already has the inlays in it. I will send pictures of the process once I get home. Luckily my wife is out of the country so I can steal..borrow the iron without fear. This would just be great if I could salvage the fretboard as I really liked it.

SkFzD0pXsGk

i've use this method with success
just take your time if you wanna rescue everything

As sad as I was that I screwed this neck up. I now know that I can remove a fretboard. I also think I have saved the fretboard. Awesome help everyone I can't thank you enough. Special thanks to Muzikp.

How did you screw it up? Or is that too touchy? :wink: