Day #9

Aloha!

     Today, I worked  on the neck and the tools I used were a dremmel, sandpaper, table saw, and clamps. The first step that you need to do is measure from the top of the neck down 7/16". Do that again at the break angle. Then from the tail blocks, measure 1 inch towards the headstock. From there, measure down 5/8". Now draw a line to connect those dots for guidelines for the thickness of your neck. Don't cut it out yet. Make a line 3/16" from the break angle for the nut line. The heel slots will be 9 and 7/16" (14th fret location)  from the nut line and 8 and 1/2" (12th fret location) from the nut line. Draw lines parallel to the nut line from those marks.Cut the heel slots at a 3 degree angle for the curved sides. The cuts should be 7/8" deep and 1/8" wide.

     Next with your table saw, adjust the blade height to 5/8". Use a test block and make a cut that will go 1/8" before going through the fretboard face. Now, start at the heel slots and cut the heel area closest to you. Make a group of cuts approximately 2" in length towards the headstock. Turn over the neck and repeat what you just did. You will now have an area 3/4" wide at the bottom of the heel. The curve of the cut should end 1/8" from the fretboard face. Cut the height of the heel block to match the head end of the side pieces (2 and 3/4").

     Then, you will draw a center line down the fretboard. The neck width at the nut line will be 1 and 3/8".  The width at the 12th fret location will be 1 and 3/4". Draw the taper with those dimensions. Now, use a jigsaw to cut the thickness of the lines from step one. After that, use the jig saw to cut the taper. Cut just outside the line (1/16" to 2/8") for extra room.

     Draw a center line on the bottom side of your neck from heel to headstock. On the edge of the neck, draw a line 1/8" for the fretboard. Take a chisel and chisel the outside of your heel chiseling a facet toward the base of the heel. Use sandpaper to sand the heel further.

     Now you will attach the ears to the headstock. When you glue them, keep them slightly higher than the headstock and when their dry, you can sand them. Use clamps to hold in place.

(Word of day: Kakahiaka/Morning)

Mahalo!