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Hi all,

I was wondering, have any of you ever seen, heard of, used or have any thoughts on a small, shoulder plane with an angled sole (12.5 deg) to use for accurately adjusting the fit of the tail/tennon on the neck for a tapered dovetail neck joint?

I am thinking of building one that would have a taper that would match the tenon angle (I think this is about 12.5 deg normally- I have been using the pre-cut Martin headblocks). I just remember how much I struggled with adjusting this joint by hand with a chisel, and was wondering if a tailor-made plane would help this process since you can control a plane a bit easier than a chisel (usually).

Thanks!

A plane would be the wrong approach. You normally do this with a sharp chisel. One thing to check is to see if the back of your chisel is truly flat. If not, it is near impossible to use it for planing cuts.

There is such a thing. It's called a "shouldering plane". I know they were made by Mathieson, but I don't know if they were offered with different angles or not. You would set the side of the plane against the tail part of the dovetail, and the brassed(?) bottom of the plane would shave the shoulder. I don't know if the shoulder was presumed to be flat or if the plane could be adjusted to undercut the shoulder of the dovetail the way you would for a neck.

Steve

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Dove tail plane

Lee Valley....$170.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=55597&cat=1,41182


Peace and carrots

Duh
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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AHHH Padma - You very GOOD!

So, has anyone ever used something like this to tune a neck tenon? Or am I just not skilled enough with my chisels to think this may work? (Everyone is more than welcome to affirm my lack of chisel skills - No worries!

I use a sanding stick. About 6" long x 1/2 x 1/2", about a 1/2" x 3" flat surface with PSA-backed 80, another with 120 grit stuck on. The sides are tapered so I can get into tight corners.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

John Hall made some great videos on setting a dovetail joint and they are posted on this site, I think in the video tutorial section. In those videos he used the angled mahogany sanding blocks that are very easy to make yourself.

Thank you justink...

das what me momma always said.

Yup you just not skilled enough just yet ~ probably based on some silly fear. Let it go and just do it dude. Is only a piece of wood...practice on some 2 x 4s that you have dovetailed but DO IT! Dab nag it, just do it.


Or maple block, cut the angle...glue on some sand paper ....this will save you $170 which you can then purchase a rosewood set and sent to me.



thank you

peace and carrots
Duh
Padma

_________________
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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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A plane is not the tool you need . In setting a dovetail you have to manipulate the tenon so you can adjust the necks centerline to the top , the plane of the fretboard to match the plane of the top and the neck angle. A plane will remove wood from the entire tenon and you may only need to take a tiny bit from point A and some from point C. This video may help you . I use chisels and may I go on record to say , IF IT DON"T SHAVE , IT AIN"T NO CHISEL . If you can't shave it is just a pretty piece of metal. This method I show on the vid is with a simple sanding block. It is accurate and will do the job well.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... type=&aq=f there are 5 parts to the video. To help you understand the jist of the video , you need to concentrate on Neck Angle Neck Center line , Plane to top. Good luck let us know if you need more help.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

What John said!!!! Many years ago I thought I lacked chisel skills, but I finally realized I lacked chisel sharpening skills. After learning chisel sharpening skill I found my chisel skills.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Padma - when I come into that kind of money, i'll let you know

John - thanks for the video link!! I think I have my chisels pretty sharp, but I will be sure to really take my time with them on a Norton 8000 before my next try.

I realize that this is another potentially misguided question, BUT, has anyone tried to grind/joint the bevel on a chisel at 90 deg (instead of a paring angle of like 20-25 deg) so that it works more like a precision scrapper for adjusting the tenon and shoulders of the tail? I have read/seen this technique in a couple different places where they are using chisels for very fine, delicate carving. What do you think?