How To Radius A Fretboard With No Special Tools... Freestyle!
Okay, some of y'all might consider a belt sander to be a "Special Tool" but I think it is a pretty standard woodworking tool. Hell, you can buy a pretty decent one from Harbor Freight.
Anyway, this was the technique we used WAY back in the day when I was at Roberto-Venn and it actually worked better than I remembered. Check it out and see for yourself.
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Original score: Electric Boogie Dawgs
Artwork: Paul Shellooe
DISCLAIMER: Our videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work with power tools should be carried out by trained users.
We (including KZread) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your property resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos.
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Remember, we are showing you what we do, not how to do it. If you do not possess the necessary skills to perform work at this level, do not attempt to replicate what you see here. If you're going to be dumb, you have to be TOUGH.
Пікірлер: 98
That’s funny!😂 No special tools then you break out the industrial size belt sander.😂😂 I love what you do on your channel it helps a lot, I’ve been playing guitar 40 yrs and tearing them up for 10 years . I had 2 that was beyond fixing, until I started watching your videos, now they’re back in regular rotation.
I started my last one with a radius block, got fed up with how long it was taking. Drew on facet lines with a pencil and used a block plane. Turned out to be the best one I've done yet, and took way less time than I anticipated.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
That is awesome Braden... sanding sucks :)
@MixingGBP
3 жыл бұрын
Just curious...when you were trying the radius block, what grits did you use?
@jcarry5214
Жыл бұрын
Braden, was the board already slotted? I was considering the same but I worried about blowing chips out when already slotted. I can sharpen like a beast but the idea still scares the hell out of me.
In a recent video I saw Ben Crowe radius a fretboard with just a hand plane. Wow!
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
We never cease to be amazed by Ben Crowe's ability and potential
The sticker on your compressor tank "I love the smell of AvGas in the morning"... I love it... You have no idea how many times I either heard that, or jokingly said it when I was in the air force the morning after a heavy night drinking... The smell of Avtur will either cure your hangover or send you right back to bed, crying like a baby with a grazed knee...
@bevo65
3 жыл бұрын
Yep. Living on base always brought the wonderful smell of freedom. 🤠
I like the router sled method I have several sleds I have made out of plywood with different radii.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Those work pretty well too, we used one for a while with great results
@mark5150ty
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars yeah I really don't like it for compound though.
I still use radiused sanding blocks (at one point I cut a scraper blade to radius, kinda worked), but I don't produce that many finger boards either...I am pretty smart, just not nearly as COOL as the Texas Toast guys, keep up the good work Matt & Chris...
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
That sounds pretty cool too Brian
Mat and Chris... The dynamic duo! OK, OK... Jesse, too... and we can't forget Mrs. TT. You guys take a break from YT and enjoy the holidays! Thank you again for an entertaining channel.🏆🍻
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
We will be doing a live Q&A tonight
Terrific video! Very helpful!
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful my friend
Last year, I built my first neck. I used a radius block to sand the fret board and it took forever. Maybe next time, I'll run it across the belt sander first, then chase it with the block. I think it'll save a lot of work. Thanks for the video!👍😎🎸🎶
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks brotherman, hope it helps out
@74dartman13
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars yep. I'm sure it will. Hope you all have a nice Christmas!👍😎🎸🎶
I have a big ass sander like that. I usually do just what you have done here and then finish off by hand with 500mm radiusing beams. It works quite well ( but I only do this as a hobby) ... All the best guys,..... Sarah XX
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
We get spoiled by our tools, sometimes it's really fun to go old school
This subject has been on my mind/bench a lot lately. Years ago, maybe mid to late 80s, I saw a "factory tour" type program on some Saturday TV show. I can't remember if it was Gibson or fender but they were showing a lathe type machine that they had bought from Louisville Slugger factory and modified to cut guitar necks. I can't specifically remember if the fretboard was involved in this process but, it is an older method. I've searched for this video numerous times over the years to see if maybe someone has posted it somewhere but, no luck. Yet, anyway.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Travis Bean used to use a lathe to shape 2 necks at a time
A cool video showing that there are many ways to skin the cat. Helps to have some skills and touch.
I couldn't stop admiring Chris' ponytail
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
I know right
It may be a little tough on the headstock end, but maybe drawing the desired radius on the ends of the fretboard before sanding might help to achieve better results, without the butt end flat space.
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
Maybe so. This was really just a funny exercise to see how close we could get and will in no way replace my radius jig.
@NeoRichardBlake
Жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars For sure. It was just a thought I had that may be of use to those of us without the jig. 😜
"No special tools", proceeds to use a belt sander bigger than some people's workbenches. 😂 I did my last fretboard using a number 6 handplane followed by a radius sanding block and a leveling beam. Worked great and took about half an hour.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
I don't consider a belt sander to be a special tool... hand tool guys might but I don't
@rauschguitars
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars definitely! A hobby builder probably won't sacrifice the shop space for one, but with your setup it definitely makes sense!
Good Rudd as usual. II believe I saw video of using a deadhead sander to free hand radius.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
That would do it too, it might be easier?
I have a neck I want to re-radius, but I don't want to buy one of the expensive aluminum 16 inch stewmac ones , can I get by with a shorter wooden one? It's a 9.5 radius and I want to make it a 12. Any advice is appreciated? (It's a cheapo neck so if I mess it up I'm not out much 😂)
I can confirm. This is a mega nuisance with just a radius block.
@TexasToastGuitars
2 жыл бұрын
ugh, that is a rotten job
Pretty cool stuff! Still faster than my method
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Give it a shot sometime
I think that my belt sander is a bit too short for that. I may give it a go though, I am off for the next couple of weeks and have had a couple of unfinished guitar projects in my garage for far too long.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
At RV, back in the old days we used the 6x48 sander
I'd be willing to bet that most old production shops had a swing arm set up of some sort. Me, I rough in with a plane or deadhead sander and finish up with a radius block and beam. Fender must have used some kind of molder/planer when they went to veneer boards.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
We need more information. I talked to Joe at Heritage and he said they back in the Gibson days they used a radius shoe on a sander and pressed the necks to it. I'm unconvinced that the swinging arm sander was as standard as we think.
@jonahguitarguy
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars, I was also thinking about something like a radius shoe.
@rivulus
3 жыл бұрын
There are quite a few fender factory tours on youtube. The 57 one does not show the radius partt but maybe there is something in the background. The 97 tour is all cnc, but the radius jig is still a rig with two necks on a rotary jig against a belt sander. I remember seeing an old item somewhere about the mexico plant having the old fender equipment including a radius swing but I could not find it again.
that was fun!!! I was worried about your fingers nails!!!🤣🤣
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Not me man :)
@juliansuarez3849
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars hahaha merry xmas!!
Matt, I’d love to know your thoughts: say you have a neck that already has a 9.5” radius, and you were going to remove all the frets anyway (let’s say we’re replacing them with stainless steel). What’s your thoughts on the viability of using a radius sanding block to take that 9.5” fretboard to a 12” radius, by hand? I’m theory it seems completely doable, it after watching this I’m wondering how easy it would be to eff it up, and put a twist in it and go all cattywompus
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
Hi Matt, Thanks for watching. Of course, you can alter your fretboard radius with a block, by hand. However, I'm not sure you will notice any real gain by doing so. If you are looking to practice on a neck and get good at this kind of job that would be a fun thing to do. So, is it possible to do it perfectly? Absolutely Is it possible to get it all cattywampus? Absolutely There are TONS of great videos and books on this exact job. Keep in mind that I don't do this sort of thing often as I don't do any sort of repair work these days. I'm pretty much the wrong guy to ask HAHAHA Good luck amigo, take your time and you will get it really nice.
Freestyle?! I love freestyle. Frugal-Cool is totally my thing. Lolol
@j-mo2453
2 жыл бұрын
No. Lol
@j-mo2453
2 жыл бұрын
Too free. Not enough style. I’ll glue a radius block to a hand plane and fix those for you lol
@j-mo2453
2 жыл бұрын
I think does the trick to get some material off, but I know I would not fair any better. Your apparatus is a beautiful thing. Great fixture that I think worth mimicking at least in concept,
@TexasToastGuitars
2 жыл бұрын
Mine too
2:00 - Man, I hope you were wearing a cup! 😆
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
I wear all the required PPE
Cool video but I kept worrying that you and Chris would sand your finger tips off! After 30 years of guitar building do you have any finger prints left? Happy holidays.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
I got nicked with the DH sander the other day
I wonder if anyone turned a chunk of wood to the desired radius on a lathe and then sliced off the fretboards, getting several out of one chunk. Would that even be practical?
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Neat idea, I have seen Travis Bean necks polished on a lathe back to back
I wonder if a standing belt sander would work pretty good since you're able to watch the rotations since you're holding it sideways instead on the flat sander your using. Or does it matter?
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
I'm not really sure, but I'd like to hear more
@Hunterslife315
Жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars I was just curious bc I would like to make a cigar box neck and I just wonder if a smaller upright belt sander could or mite be just as good as the flat sander. I have ocd lol so I'd always wanna see if or which ones better. I would only assume imo if I used the upright I can actually stand behind it and hold the neck and watch my rotation. I really wanna get into making cigar box builds and make sure I at least have the right tools. I do alot of blacksmithing but it's totally different then building an instrument.
If Chris’ hair gets much longer he’ll be showing up fir work in a bath robe and flip flops drinking White Russians, man.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
He is going to have to start saying "Hey Man" a lot more
@drittal
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars would that make you Walter?
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
@@drittal it would not
Could you use the radius gauge to scrape the fretboard down?
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
While I'm sure one could put a burr on a piece of metal with a specific radius and use it like a card scraper...I don't recommend doing it with these particular gauges
@joetorrez6333
3 жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars understood. Thank you, sir. 🤘
Didn't realize Roberto Venn has a youtube channel 👍
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
They are really active on social media
Nothing like a friendly competition - Sorry Matt, going to declare Jesse the winner! - Thanks Merry Cridmen
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a popularity contest
"With No Special Tools!" Uses a giant belt sander 🤣🤣
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
I don't think a belt sander is particularly specialized
Flat spots?!? -- you mean, compound radius!
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
HAHA yeah lets call it that :)
It’s an art, they used to employ artist to radius fretboards!.......Yeah, that’s it!
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Could be... I like to think that guitar building is a trade more than an art but the line is pretty thin :)
My finished product would be a pile of sawdust.
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
You can do it :)
yeah! totally convinced me NOT to attempt this... thanks!
@TexasToastGuitars
2 жыл бұрын
Cool man
How is a huge industrial sander not a special tool....
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
It isn't a unitasker. A sander is a pretty basic tool in any woodshop. Next time you go to one ask if they have a belt sander. Them all how specialized it is.
@ClumsyFlounder
Жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars Nice Grammar
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
@@ClumsyFlounder hahaha sour grapes.
@ClumsyFlounder
Жыл бұрын
@@TexasToastGuitars It's not sour grapes. I literally don't know what you were trying to say. But whatever, have fun with your substandard grammar and ideas
@TexasToastGuitars
Жыл бұрын
@@ClumsyFlounder don't forget to criticize my tools and throw in a mama joke. That will really get under my skin. You really aren't very good at this whole KZread trash talking. I'm betting you aren't very good at building guitars either. I'm betting you are just waking up in your parent's house. Enjoy your avocado toast little guy
No special tools...
@TexasToastGuitars
3 жыл бұрын
Not to me