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DIY tele build neck heel to pocket issue

Discussion in 'Tele Home Depot' started by BnRotten, Nov 7, 2020.

  1. Nov 7, 2020 #1
    BnRotten

    BnRotten TDPRI Member

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    I got a drawing for a tele and routed it out and then ordered a neck template from StewMac. Problem is the template does not fit in the neck pocket. Pics below. Which is wrong, the template or my neck pocket which is straight from the drawing?? Should I radius the heel or chisel out the pocket corners?
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Nov 7, 2020 #2
    edvard

    edvard Tele-Afflicted

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    First off, WELCOME! First post is a Tele build, I'd say you're gonna do just fine here.

    I think either way would work fine. Looks to me like you need to use a smaller radius router bit in those corners is all. If you chisel or rout them sharper, any other neck will work if you need to re-fit one down the road, and if you round out the heel on the neck, it'll still fit in any other guitars.

    Short answer: you're not ruining anything either way, so do what you think will be easier.

    You're asking for advice, so I'll say if it were me, I'd do the corners of the pocket.
     
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  3. Nov 7, 2020 #3
    BnRotten

    BnRotten TDPRI Member

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    Thank you for the advice! I have the neck ready to do the template route and I’ll decide then which way to go. It’s just weird that the drawing and template do not match. The template is a 56 and the drawing is a modern last updated 2006 so maybe it is something just changed over the years. I have no clue.
     
  4. Nov 7, 2020 #4
    mfguitar

    mfguitar Tele-Afflicted Silver Supporter

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    Welcome to the forum! I will assume you are going to make a MDF template from the Stem Mac template. You have already built the body so I would make sample out of scrap, you only need the depth of the pocket and see what you have. If you make a scrap piece you can alter the template instead of changing after the fact.
     
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  5. Nov 7, 2020 #5
    BnRotten

    BnRotten TDPRI Member

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    That’s a solid plan! I made copies of the body template but didn’t plan to copy the neck template since it is acrylic. I know it’s a good idea but I kinda got zeroed in and didn’t think about it. I’ll pull it back off and do that. Thanks!
     
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  6. Nov 7, 2020 #6
    trev333

    trev333 Telefied Ad Free Member

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    most F neck pockets have a 1/2" radius and they extend the sides to allow for any heel corner radius...

    your clear template looks like a smaller radius?...

    f neck pocket.jpg
     
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  7. Nov 7, 2020 #7
    trev333

    trev333 Telefied Ad Free Member

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    ... and I like to have the neck on hand before cutting the pocket... I make a template for each neck I use...
     
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  8. Nov 9, 2020 #8
    crazydave911

    crazydave911 Doctor of Teleocity

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    The problem is it's Stew Mac I'm sad to say. The template is intended for their high dollar 3/8 template bit. If the neck is too this malfit is what you get
     
  9. Nov 9, 2020 #9
    guitarbuilder

    guitarbuilder Telefied Ad Free Member

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    It would be simple enough to make the neck with your template and just make the radii larger on the end of the neck with a bit of abrasive paper and block of wood, if that is what the problem is.
     
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  10. Nov 9, 2020 #10
    Meteorman

    Meteorman Tele-Holic

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    Personally, I would absolutely make a copy of the neck template (that's SOP), and then mod that copy to fit your body.
     
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  11. Nov 9, 2020 #11
    mfguitar

    mfguitar Tele-Afflicted Silver Supporter

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    One little slip of the router can ruin your expensive SM template. This way you could adjust your template to fit the body.
    Good luck!
     
  12. Nov 15, 2020 #12
    wadeeinkauf

    wadeeinkauf Tele-Holic

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    I use a Dremel tool and square up the rounded corners of my body neck pockets...Takes 5 minutes.
     
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