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CBG building "hacks"

We invent new tricks to make building easier and better. Often we hear about them from others or read about them here on Cigar Box Nation, or Youtube videos.

Here are a couple: I read both here on Cigar Box Nation posts

1. When doing a difficult glue joint, like a fretboard or scarf joint, put a tiny tiny pinch of table salt on the glue after spreading it. It does a great job of letting the pieces grip each other without slipping while applying clamps.

2. When installing those tiny screws on the back of the tuning machines, rub the screw threads over a bar of soap or parafin wax to make them easier to drive and lessen the probability of stripping the screw head.

Another one I learned from experience. Gluing pieces together seems like a simple process. But it can become complex. On a difficult glue joint, I finally learned to do a dry clamp before the actual gluing operation. That way, you have all the clamps out and ready to go. You know exactly how to place the clamps so that they will do their job properly and not interfere with each other. Also have the clamp pads set up so you will not mar the wood.

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Permalink Reply by Tommy Ragan on July 10, 2015 at 4:39pm

for a smooth slick finish,apply your tru-oil using a foam applicator pad like the ladies apply makeup with,smooth finish with no lint,you can buy a bag at Wal-Mart

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Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on July 10, 2015 at 5:35pm

Good tip. I'll try that.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on July 10, 2015 at 10:52pm

if its an unfretted git I just put 2 light coats of lacquer.

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on July 11, 2015 at 7:15am

John there are many good reasons to use lacquer. Dry time makes for quick turn around is a real plus.Bad things are if you rough handle, it chips and yellows with age. I worked in a furniture factory and used it by the 55 gal. drum. It is good make no mistake, but there are the drawbacks.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on July 11, 2015 at 9:20am

I like spray lacquer for protecting boxes and labels, but use oils for wood... Quite often, I just use Linseed. I have some tru-oil and will have to give it a try.

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Permalink Reply by Graeme L on July 11, 2015 at 10:46pm

Liking the thinking behind some of the various "sealing" of the CBG's...........I started out just using a spray polyurethane lacquer (gloss) on everything but that soon wore off my like list! Now I give most of the boxes 1 or 2 coats of "Satin" (or low sheen) polyurethane and all necks/fretboards get 2 or 3 coats of Danish Oil! Easy to apply with a nice soft lint free piece of rag/cloth. With a light rub down with very fine steel wool between coats! This stuff leaves a nice natural wood colour and a light sheen and is smooth to the touch!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on July 12, 2015 at 2:04am

Can we call ourselves hacks?

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Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on July 12, 2015 at 4:59am

Sure, UJ, why not? : )

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Permalink Reply by al white on July 12, 2015 at 9:51am

profesanal hacks. . ;0)

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Permalink Reply by al white on July 12, 2015 at 9:50am

larger piezocan be mountid. like bottle cap piezos. .

in ah perscription pill vile cover.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on July 16, 2015 at 2:55am

Good stuff! One of the best hacks I have found in here is also about gluing up scarf joints. Shoot a couple of staples into the gluing surface and then trim them off very short, like with wire cutters, then the sharp spikes that are left help keep the joint from slipping on the wet glue.I use this on all my scarf joints. My favorite personal hack is the tool I adapted to use as a fret press. It is made for driving glazier points but I modified it and use it to press in frets. Great control and no hammering on your fretboard. I'll see if I can attach a picture.

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on July 20, 2015 at 5:31am

Bluesheart, I am going to try the cut off staples trick on my next glue up. I laminate my necks in 3 to 5 pieces. 5 pipe clamps,3 on bottom 2 on top and 12" "C" clamps with blocks on them forcing alignment. There is still a tendency for creep in the middle where you can't get a "C" clamp. I have read of the table salt trick on here. I was leery to try, as I am not sure what is happening chemically. It may or may not have any effect on the bond. My lack of knowledge in chemistry has stopped me. Even if one of the ingredients is sodium chloride, you are altering the recipe of the adhesive.My brain can wrap around the cut off staple trick.I have always used the side of my index finger as a glue applicator. Running my finger over cut off staples would break that habit pretty quick.Works best, always handy. It just clicked :Put staples in,apply glue then cut off staples. That will also allow glue to soak into wood while I am trimming staples. I am going to give this a try. Thanks

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