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 Tim Fleischer on August 9, 2016 at 9:34am

If the salt method doesn't work for your fret board to neck glue up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw2h6L32JMU

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on August 9, 2016 at 9:46am

Another easy way, is, if you intend to have fret dots or similar, just drill a small hole where 2 of the markers go,hammer in a small brad to the neck, and either remove it after glueing,or sink it deep enough for you fret inlay to seat above it, heck,even use brass flat head nails for all your markers, 2 jobs in 1