Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BT Cohosh on June 6, 2009 at 4:38am

I used to use a rasp & file on the necks, but then I made five in a row over a couple of weeks just before Christmas and ended up with a repetitive motion injury in my right elbow (CBG-builder's elbow?), from which I still haven't recovered.

After that, my dad gave me a *really* nice spoke-shave, which I'm loving. It's made by Lie-Nielsen (I think that's how it's spelled), and it's a joy to hold and use. I will *never* use a rasp again, except maybe for touch-up work.

It's great, b/c unlike a hand plane it can get into tight spaces, and unlike a draw-knife in will *only* take off very thin shavings. You can use it with one hand or two, with or without a bench vise or similar set up.

Go for the spoke shave.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Doc Oakroot on June 6, 2009 at 4:40am

I mostly use a sureform rasp followed by files and sandpaper. Sometimes, I rough shape with a hand held recip saw, but I'd rather just use the sureform if I have the time and the shape's not too complicated.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Becker on June 6, 2009 at 7:03am

To shape my neck, I used a bench-top belt sander. I just grabbed the neck at both ends and sanded the length of the neck nearly all at once. I just gently rolled it back and forth to get the shape I wanted. Seemed to work just fine.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on June 6, 2009 at 7:42am

I use the belt sander to take the edges off, then do the rest by hand, maily as I leave my necks quite square.
For rounder necks though, buy that spoke shave!!
Incidentally, the reasons I leave my necks square...
Firstly, as they are mostly 3 or 4 strings, the necks are a lot thinner than ya average 6 string. I find this encourages me to play more 'properly' and not rest the neck in the crook of my finger and thumb, and therefore the shape doesnt really matter to me. In fact, I prefer it squarer than c-shaped.
The other reason is that I retain as much timber (& strength) as possible. I reckon C-ing the neck could remover 1/4 to 1/3 of the wood... Yikes!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JUJU on June 6, 2009 at 8:15am

I use a Spoke shave for most of the neck then heavy 60 Grit sand paper then a super sharp plane iron for a scraper for final shaping then 180 ,240 , 300 grit aluminium oxide paper to smooth everything down

i would say that a spoke shave is one hell of a good tool , some have a flat sole for long straight work others have a curved sole so you can create curves , i use the curved sole type , i'll stick you a pic up
juju.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JUJU on June 6, 2009 at 8:33am

This is what i use a Stanley curved sole spoke shave part # 1-12-152

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by William H Bonney on June 6, 2009 at 10:17am

I use a file and sand paper and just keep workig it.
I think I might try this spoke shave.Those pics look real good.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Delta Blues Classics - JStoltz on June 6, 2009 at 10:48am

Here's a few of the tools I use for shaping. You can do a lot with these tools, but it takes a bit of practice. If you get carried away, it's easy to take a pretty good chunk out of the neck. I also use a flat wood rasp to smooth before sanding. Jeff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on June 6, 2009 at 11:46am

I too use a series of rasps; a sureform for the rough stuff then standard old Nicholson 4-sided rasps to get down to almost done.
I bought a big 4" sanding drum for my drill press and that's handy for squaring up edges and such.

Spokeshaves are very nice; popular with the bow-making community as well. (which is where I got most of my shaping technique..)
I can certainly see where you'd risk repetitive-use injury with the rasps and files; a lot of work!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wade on June 6, 2009 at 1:26pm

Any tips on setting up your spokshave? Mine seem to always chatter or take chunks out of the wood.
soundssogood said:

This is what i use a Stanley curved sole spoke shave part # 1-12-152

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wade on June 6, 2009 at 1:30pm

There is a router bit (I believe in the Grizzly catalogue) that looks like it would make a nice round profile for a neck.
It's interesting to see that Gibson is building some of their necks with a curve that is not symmetrical to fit the player's hand.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on June 6, 2009 at 3:07pm

Jeff, they have a set just about like this on eBay right now, current bid $20. with $12.50 S&H I bet it gets higher than that.
Delta Blues Classics - JStoltz said:

Here's a few of the tools I use for shaping. You can do a lot with these tools, but it takes a bit of practice. If you get carried away, it's easy to take a pretty good chunk out of the neck. I also use a flat wood rasp to smooth before sanding.

Jeff

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page