Fretboard radius sander on the cheap

Posted by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on October 9, 2010 at 5:29pm
So making a radius is not easy for the... tool challenged. That is, if you don't have the right tools and we all don't at one time or another. So I devised a clever tool to sand down a fretboard to the radius I wanted.

I picked this idea up from watching some luthiers sand down the fretboards on a Youtube video. They had a long block with an interior radius and sand paper in and ran the fretboard over it. Ok, I don't have that tool, but I do have a sanding block. Well, a length of 1x2 poplar.

I thought about it and then came up with and idea that uses tape layered in a fashion so that there was more tape on the ends than in the middle. The block is flat but the tape creates the 'radius' Since the sandpaper smooths out the ridges, the final fretboard looks REALLY great (pic to come).

-WY

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Replies

  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates July 15, 2011 at 12:31am

    take a look at the last post I did. I am now using something like the radius sanding block as that.

     

    -WY

  • Paul Bordelon July 14, 2011 at 10:00pm
    Hey Guys, please forgive my ignorance but Im not getting the concept. If there is tape on the edges of the block with sandpaper in the middle how does the sanding block not make a U-shape on the neck?...looks like you are getting the opposite desired effect, Im just not following. I realize Im overlooking something obvious...thanks!
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 10, 2010 at 9:48pm
    Here is another good idea

    http://buildyourguitar.com/resources/tips/radblock.htm

    You might even find a scrap piece of ply that is curved already OR you can use some pressboard.
    -WY
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 10, 2010 at 8:11pm
    DAMN, I just realized this. One could use [a better made version] not only to create a radius but to level frets with fine sandpaper! Kinda like those in the StewMac site.

    -WY
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 10, 2010 at 8:04pm
    Good question! REAL good question. I assume for depth. Answer is yes. That is, not too much but you need to be aware that the center is higher (slightly) than the edges. Cut accordingly.

    If you have a slotting jig that sits on the fretboard, you can rock it and get the depth even.

    Also, you can add more tape to make a tighter radius as well, you can make the block wider (mine was a spur of the moment build, but you folks get the idea.)

    Shawn mentioned making a positive (convex) block or use a radiused fretboard and sanding another (larger, longer, better) block. Brilliant!

    -Wes



    Diane in Chicago said:
    Wow! It works like a charm! I'm doing that from now on!

    But then you have to adjust your fret slots a bit, yes?
  • Diane in Chicago October 10, 2010 at 7:39pm
    Wow! It works like a charm! I'm doing that from now on!

    But then you have to adjust your fret slots a bit, yes?
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 10, 2010 at 7:31pm
    PICS of the sanded fretboard.

  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 9, 2010 at 11:43pm
    Badda Bing!
    -WY


    Shawn said:
    Thats brillent must do that myself. Now that you have the radius on the fretboard cover it with sand paper and radius another block. Kind of like making a mold with the fretboard
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 9, 2010 at 11:42pm
    Lot better if I can spell 'radius'.

    -WY
  • Diane in Chicago October 9, 2010 at 6:04pm
    Wow! so simple even I might give that a try!
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