Shaping Fingerboard Blank

Flynman · November 28th, 2009, 06:29 PM

I am making my first neck for my next Tele. I have the neck template and a piece of curly maple with a maple fingerboard blank. My question is: What is the best way to shape the fingerboard? Should I shape the neck first then glue fingerboard blank to neck and shape it using a router and the neck as the template guide?...or shape the blank before gluing to the neck using my neck template as a guide?? What is the best way that will least likely cause tear-out from the router?

Thanks
Keith

68thinline · November 28th, 2009, 07:07 PM

I've only done two necks in my life, and they're not complete, BUT I've had success using the first method you mention: gluing the fretboard to the neck and using the neck as a template to shape the fretboard.

The best way to avoid router tearout is to use a sander to get the fretboard as close as you can to the neck, before routing, so that the load on the router is as little as possible. I use a simple sanding drum that mounts in my drill press.

November 28th, 2009, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flynman Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 179	Shaping Fingerboard Blank I am making my first neck for my next Tele. I have the neck template and a piece of curly maple with a maple fingerboard blank. My question is: What is the best way to shape the fingerboard? Should I shape the neck first then glue fingerboard blank to neck and shape it using a router and the neck as the template guide?...or shape the blank before gluing to the neck using my neck template as a guide?? What is the best way that will least likely cause tear-out from the router? Thanks Keith

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November 28th, 2009, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
68thinline Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Age: 37 Posts: 482	I've only done two necks in my life, and they're not complete, BUT I've had success using the first method you mention: gluing the fretboard to the neck and using the neck as a template to shape the fretboard. The best way to avoid router tearout is to use a sander to get the fretboard as close as you can to the neck, before routing, so that the load on the router is as little as possible. I use a simple sanding drum that mounts in my drill press.

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