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What's the easiest way to radius a fretboard?

I've searched through the past discussions and haven't come across the answer - my apologies if I've missed it.

Anyhow, I'm looking to build a 6-string CBG and so would like to radius the fretboard. Not a compound radius, just a simple one like on most acoustic guitars.

I've got a safety-planer, and so can theoretically use that to do some approximate shaping. And I've got a handplane that I'm not very good with that I could do the same thing with. But I'm assuming that to finish this I need to create a sanding block with a radius curve on the inside. Which of course, becomes a chicken & egg problem.

So, what's the easiest way to construct this? I was thinking that I could create the block out of a set of 2x pieces that I cut the radius out with on my band saw (which will be very primitive). Then find some large cylinder of the appropriate radius, put sandpaper on that, and then use that to finish the sanding block radius. So, any suggestions on a simpler method? (and I'm not above buying a tool - just don't want to spend $80).

Thanks in advance,

Ken

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Permalink Reply by MikeBoy on October 12, 2010 at 12:09pm

Wes's link is basically what I ended up figuring out by trial and error(s). Here is a link to the discussion I had posted a few months back.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/fingerboard-raduis-advic...

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Permalink Reply by Huntz Meyer on October 12, 2010 at 11:02pm

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fretboard_Ra...

Maybe spend $10-15 on an sanding block and spend more time making CBGs?

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Permalink Reply by ken farmer on October 13, 2010 at 12:32am

You know, I didn't notice the cheap ones when I was out shopping - just saw the $80 ones. At $15, i'm fine buying one.

On the other hand I'm planning to run some more workshops over the next year in building these. And one of the philosophies is a reasonable cost of equipment. So, a home-made sanding block made from free materials might be best in that context.

Chuck Meyer said:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fretboard_Ra...

Maybe spend $10-15 on an sanding block and spend more time making CBGs?

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on October 13, 2010 at 12:54am

Badda Frinkin' Bing!

-WY

MikeBoy said:

Wes's link is basically what I ended up figuring out by trial and error(s). Here is a link to the discussion I had posted a few months back.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/fingerboard-raduis-advic...

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on October 13, 2010 at 5:04am

The custom made radius sanding block method works very well. Even for extreme radiai? / radium? / radiuses? I was able to put a 4" radius on a bass fingerboard. I had to use a few layers of 1/32" plastic for a nice round curve -- 1/16" inch plywood did not have enough bend and made the curve a little pointy.

Wes Yates said:

Badda Frinkin' Bing!

-WY

MikeBoy said:

Wes's link is basically what I ended up figuring out by trial and error(s). Here is a link to the discussion I had posted a few months back.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/fingerboard-raduis-advic...

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Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on October 14, 2010 at 4:57am

GPC has an 8" block for $12. They're decent (and appear to be homemade). Probably not as smooth 'n' shiny as StewMac, but they get the job done.

Link.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on October 14, 2010 at 6:46am

The safe-t-planer method looks promising.
I have made similar cuts by passing over a table saw blade at an angle too.

One additional thought. Drill presses, table saws and so forth arent really built to be subject to side loads, so take it easy. Lower grade tools especially will tolerate very little of it without creating problems and ending up with sloppy functioning tools when you need more precision.

And be careful, some of these tricks can be a little hairy.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on October 17, 2010 at 6:29am

If your neck isn't going to have a compound radius, just buy a sanding block from stewmac and be done with it.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Davies on July 2, 2011 at 9:11am

Stewmac sell radius blocks

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Permalink Reply by MrFied on July 14, 2011 at 11:14am

a 4" radius - is that 'playable'?

easiest way - bought a radius sanding block (12" is good) and got a friend to do it for a couple of beers - never felt a thing :)

A bigger radius doesn't take that long with a block

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Permalink Reply by MrFied on July 14, 2011 at 11:14am

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on July 14, 2011 at 11:25am

The homemade 4" radius sanding block was for a 41.5" scale electric upright bass. I use a stew-mac 16" radius block for everything else. I like your idea, but in reverse. My new sign will read, "Will Sand For Beers."

MrFied said:

a 4" radius - is that 'playable'?

easiest way - bought a radius sanding block (12" is good) and got a friend to do it for a couple of beers - never felt a thing :)

A bigger radius doesn't take that long with a block