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Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=20900		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
I've finished carving my walnut neck except maybe for the heel. I might taper it some or maybe not. But there is a split in the heel and I don't mind it, sort of organic I think. I'm wondering if it can be filled with epoxy and will epoxy stop the split from running anymore. And any suggestions for the epoxy. I haven't really worked with epoxy very much at all. I have System 3 Quick Cure 5 that is in a 2 section syringe. Would that work?
Author:  TonyFrancis [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
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Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
I'm not concerned about the heel split breaking off into the tennon as I think it will be fineas there is a maple plug glued into it setting the capture bolt. I just want to know if it will fill it and keep that corner in place.
Author:  JasonM [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Other options include drilling from the bottom, up through the crack, and gluing in a hardwood dowel or two. That would be structurally better than just filling in the crack. Not sure if you planned on installing a heel cap, but that would cover the dowel ends. The cause of the crack looks like maybe lots of tension in the wood, perhaps from kiln drying? That amount of movement would make me nervous that it could continue in the future. Do you know what caused the crack initially? Looks like a second one opening up a bit lower as well.
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Yeah, that's a possibility, won't hurt . It's along the radial lines and was at the end of the board the other one was carved out mostly, It's probably just drying splits at the end of the board. If it taper the heel some of it would be cut out. It won't run past half way.
Author:  Mark Groza [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Is it a 2 piece neck? I can't tell from the pics.If so, it shouldn't move any farther as it looks to be close to the center already.I have glued walnut with titebond that was checking from the ends while drying and stopped it cold many times.
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Yep, a two piece, walnut. That's why I'm asking about epoxy. I don't really want to close it up as it hasn't moved in the two weeks. If I would have paid better attention I could haved cut the that piece off the billet.
Author:  Link Van Cleave [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Chris,
If you go the epoxy route use a slow setting type. A laminating type epoxy, that is one with a low viscosity. You could make a dam with tape so it doesn't run all over the place. Gently heating the wood and epoxy will increase it's ability to penetrate. After a good soaking with that you could mix some walnut dust from your obital sander bag (if you have one) and make a thick pancake batter tending towards runny peanut butter thickness paste and finish filling with that.
I would say diffinately more towards the peanut butter. :D
Link
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Any thoughts on thinn CA followed by more thinn and maybe med. ? I could fill it with Dust and CA. I just thought Epoxy might be stronger. I already screwed up and drilled the capture bolts to high and dowel filled the holes and plugged the access hole in the heel. The plug is about 1/4" below the heel hole in the picture. Not a bad job. :)
Author:  Hesh [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Link's peanut butter sounds like the way to go Chris.

Thin CA will only wick into and seal the inside sides of the crack making using anything else problematic IMHO.
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Hesh, what about packing it with dust and CA it like filling inlay gaps? Or do you think it wouldn't be strong enough?
Author:  Hesh [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Chris bro since you don't mind the crack and like the "organic" look I would go with Link's fix unless of course you want to make another neck as others have suggested.
Author:  Chris Paulick [ Fri Feb 06, 2009 7:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Will Epoxy Fill This Heel Split?
Hesh Buddy, you like that that "organic" term. :) If I was going to sale this I would but it's just a practice guitar if you know what I mean. If it gives me any problems I'll just unbolt it and and put another neck on it then. I understand what you all are saying but on this one it's not a real concern to me. Might even be of some learning experiance to me to see how it works out over time. If this was for a customer it would be gone. I'm also thinking about trying some relief carving on the heel and whose knows? I might screw that up and have to make a new neck then. :) I like the idea of doweling it. Maybe the peanut. I'll give it all some thought. Might even fill it and make another neck too. Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm still open for any other suggestions as always.
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