Kevin Chilcott
Luthier
MAKING AN ANGEL
Making and Gluing on the Headstock 'Wings'
PAGE 1
Preparation
The Headstock pattern
needs to be laid on top of the headstock area of the
Neck blank.
The centre-line needs to be marked as well
to the
shape of the pattern..... using a biro is best - see
below...
A pair of 'Wings'
need to be made..... to make up the extra width of
the Headstock.
These can be made by using the 'off-cuts'
of wood from when the Neck blank was cut.
These can be made in a couple of ways.....
There are two ways of preparing the the wood for jointing.....
1 - Planing
Using a Plane
to prepare the
side of the Neck..... flat,
level and even
for the 'Wings' to join to.
When holding a piece of work that you do not want to damage in a vice, use a couple of 'rough
blocks' of wood (pine is best)
where possible,
to put between the piece you're using and the
vice..... these will protect your work from getting
'Jaw' marks.
Make sure the plane blade is razor sharp and is 'set' correctly.
..... and Making the
'Wings'
To make the 'Wings' one
of the neck 'off-cuts'
can be cut with a Bandsaw to a suitable size making
sure that the grain of the wood will match as
closely as possible to the neck blank they will be used on. This doesn't always
work out..... but the neck will be better aesthetically
if the grain is a reasonable
match.
Using a Plane, the 'off-cut'
can be planed flat, level
and even to join to the neck.
( In this case 'protection blocks' are not required
as the bit needed is above the Jaw level of the vice.)
Make sure the plane blade is razor sharp and is 'set' correctly.
2 - Sanding
Using a Disc Sander, the
side of the Neck can
be sanded..... flat,
level and even
for the 'Wings' to join to.
80 grit paper is probably best.
Make sure that the sanding disc paper is reasonably new and the surface is level - check with a straight edge. If the disc is old and uneven, a successful joint cannot be made.
( No power to the Sander when the picture was taken.)
.....and Making the
'Wings'
To make the 'Wings' one
of the neck 'off-cuts'
can be cut with a Bandsaw to a suitable size making
sure that the grain of the wood will match as
closely as possible to the Neck blank they will be used on. This doesn't always
work out..... but the Neck will be better aesthetically
if the grain is a reasonable
match.
Using a Disc Sander, the 'off-cut' can be sanded..... flat, level and even to join to the Neck.
Make sure that the sanding disc paper is reasonably new and the surface is level - check with a straight edge. If the disc is old and uneven, a successful joint cannot be made.
( No power to the Sander when the picture was taken.)
Continued on Page 2.....