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Seems I haven't come up with the right combination to remove fingerboards from vintage guitars. Ive seen some guys getting results with no damage to the finish and fully reuseable fingerboards. Is there any tutorials or can anyone share thier methods with us?

Thanks,

joe

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Joe

Joe : You might try a heat lamp for heating the board. Provides even heat and the dark wood sucks up the heat nicely. You have to be careful to protect surrounding areas so as not to over heat them.Keep an eye on things and test the board often for temperature.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

Hey Joe.
I use my wife's steam iron, and she gives me heck every time I use it, but it works for me. I don't use the steam.

Use thick cardboard with a rectangle cut out in the shape of the fret board extension to cover the top. I've also used a cork gasket sheet the same way.
I just about always start at the sound hole end, with a very thin palette knife, and find the weak spot, usually the corner, and wick a little water under.

Set the iron on the frets, and get the board hot, set the iron aside and work the palette knife a little at a time, put the iron on again, set it aside, wick some water, and poke at it some more.

The glue will give up when it gets hot enough with moisture in the joint.
Work your way up the board, slowly. If you push too hard, too fast, you'll find the weak place in the board, and it will leave splinters behind on the neck.

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You might want to check out some of Dan Erlewines videos. I know there is one where he slips a fretboard in his neck jig. Might be something in MIMF's library.