Cigar Box Nation member, Gary Sheldon started an amazing discussion on cigar box guitar building hacks.  We just had to share a few nuggets with you:

  1. Table Salt & Glue Hack:  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. Paraffin Wax & Tiny Screws Hack: 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.
  3. Tuner Spacing:  Keep about an inch and a half distance from the nut to the nearest tuner post.  It'll give you less string hop, better string path, better pressure on the nut.
  4. Stringing Hack:  When stringing a CBG, once you pull the string through the ferrule/rivet and the ball end is tight against the bottom, bend the string on the top side at the string ferrule/rivet...  Keeps the string from running away on you.
  5. Testing The Box: Don't glue a box closed until you've played it a bit...  Sometimes the oddest things cause buzzing and it's hard to fix if you already glued it closed.
  6. Laquer Curing Tip:  If you use spray lacquer to clean up a box's finish, or protect a label, let it dry at least 5 days before you put a clamp on it... or at least put some wax paper between the clamp and the box.
  7. Glue Tip: Allow glue to tack up before joining.
  8. Planning is Everything: Always maximize the materials. Think of the most economic way to use/cut materials. This comes from planning...
  9. Wax on Fret Saw Hack:  Candlewax on your fretsaw makes cutting the slots easier on very hard wood.
  10. Community of Friends:  Use everybody as a resource. I am so inspired by the people on this site/community.

Do you have a cigar box guitar building hack?  Share it with us here!

Views: 6803

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I use my old army knife(which has a saw blade on the back side of the blade) to make fret marks and to file down areas to small for my rasp
There have been a couple of these threads I the past... The tip I use most is to drive 2 staples into the scarf joint and cut the head off before gluing. I find it works better than salt.

When making fretboards, I make them a smidge wide. That way when I glue them to the neck, I can sand the edges smooth. Then I install and level the frets.

When using dot inlays, don't try to drill a perfect hole. leave the inlay proud (sticking up) then go to the belt sander with a fine or worn out belt to make them perfectly level.

15/64ths is darn close to 6mm when using inlay dots. (Ymmv)

When making a scarfed headstock, drill the tuner holes before gluing the headstock on.

A new utility blade makes a good fret rocker.

Measure twice. Trust your eyes. If it does not look right, measure two more times...

Never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line!

6mm is .243

My Favorite Hack -- BANDSAW

I'd say if you lost them....  you probably didn't need'm anyway...  so carry on and try not to bleed on the wood...  hhhmmm  can blood be used as a wood stain???

Is it permanent?!?!?   )

Crap, I thought you were talking about hack builders and hoped to see my name on the list.   

Truly some good tips and reminders there.  Thanks.  Number 9 could help me.   Number 3 is kind of a pet peeve of mine.  I learned it the hard way.  And I try to kindly tip other builders on it.

I had never heard of #9 before.  I will try it.

When glueing a fretboard to a neck: I first do a dry clamp in place where I want it to be, drill 2 small holes through at each end of the fretboard and into the neck that are big enough for a couple of small nails/pins. Drilling through the fret slots will hide the holes. Take the fretboard off and apply the glue. Put the 2 pieces together with the nails/pins in place and clamp it up. Once the glue starts to set up, remove the nails/pins. Everything stays in place and the frets cover the holes.

Cheap side markers and fret markers can be made from wooden dowels, colored pencil lead, colored plastic coat hangers, glitter with clear glue or colored plastic shavings with clear glue.

I just drill a hole 1/4" deep for side markers, fill with super glue, stand the sharpened pencil up in the hole and saw the pencil off at the side of the neck and finish with sandpaper after it dries.

The fret markers I do before putting the board on the neck. Drill a hole all the way through and glue in dowel or piece of hanger. If you go the glue and glitter or shavings route, just put some duct tape on the back side til it dries and remove, sand both sides before neck/board assembly.plastic coat hanger dots

Well, my wife is about to lose some pretty plastic hangers. I love this hack and will be putting inlays in my next fret board. I usually just use a burn tool and always wondered how to put nicer markers in. Sooooo many possibilites!!!!!

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

"i See Your ready to Blow away the GRAND STADIUM ! tree strings more of DAR DELIGHT !! Shine Girl !…"
2 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you for the kind comments Doug! Glad you liked the Picture !"
2 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
7 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
7 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
9 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
9 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
11 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
11 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
12 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
13 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
13 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
13 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->