Wood Joining Question

[bpolvo]

I'm trying to make a simple 4 string guitar from wood. I wanted to make the tuner end, at the end of the neck, angled down by 15 degrees. I 'm afraid if I cut a board at 15 degs and epoxy it onto the end of a straight board it won't be strong enough and could break. What do you think and what method would you recommend? The board for the neck is only 3/4" thick and 2" wide. One more thing, after the tuner end is attached how do you hid the seam?

Thanks,
Bob

 

[john lucas]

I would either make the whole neck out of one piece or add a dovetail to the neck and head. Your only talking about 15 degrees which would be pretty easy to hand plane. You could saw it close and then place it down. The underside of the head and neck would probably need draw knife or spokeshave to do this.
The dovetail might be easier if you have patience and a sharp chisel. Cut close with a small saw such as a coping saw or dovetail saw and then trip the dovetail to size with the chisel. Then lay it on the neck and mark the shape. Chisel this out carefully to exactly match. I would make this a half dovetail. Meaning that the dovetail doesn't go all the way through. This would make a stronger joint and won't disturb the back of the neck.

 

[Ron Sardo]

Here is a good luthier site that might be able to help you out.

http://www.13thfret.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=0152c6dfcddeed0f7afe6c95b0fcdc89

If you are talking about the head (where you tune the instrument) then the neck and head is made from a single piece of wood.

BTW a 4 string guitar is called a ukulele

 

[pencheff]

I 'm afraid if I cut a board at 15 degs and epoxy it onto the end of a straight board it won't be strong enough and could break. What do you think and what method would you recommend?

Here's the standard method for creating an angled headstock on a guiltar neck. The joint of course has to be perfect. Standard white glue or any good wood glue will do the trick.