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Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 2:18 pm
by twenty2late
So...I went to adjust the neck on the current build, and realized that somehow, between making the neck block and drilling the hole in the shoulder brace...that I missed big time! Now I can't get my truss rod wrench through :-/

I assume I'm not the first to do this? How do you all recommend I proceed? I imagine I will need to find a short, right-angle drill attachment or something? Thanks. Gotta love these sneaky lessons learned.

V/R
Ken

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 2:20 pm
by twenty2late
For reference...the bottom is the shoulder brace, the middle is the sound board, and the top is the fretboard extention. And...the wood cutting the hole in half is the neck block. I feel like a total bonehead right now!

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 4:33 pm
by Danl8
Would plugging the hole and re-drilling solve the problem? Alternatively enlarging the hole towards the soundboard to line up properly and then plugging the unnecessary part of the hole. Or rat-tail filing to where it needs to be and sistering the brace to correct for structural weakening. Interesting problem, though, and a fix of whatever sort shouldn't be all that hard.

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 7:39 pm
by MaineGeezer
From your description I don' t this is applicable, but on the off chance that it might help, a reminder that hex keys can be bent to avoid obstacles:

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Sun May 13, 2018 8:56 pm
by twenty2late
The gap isn't wide enough to get a wrench through. I think I'll either need to find a short right-angle drill, or remove the neck and widen the gap from an easier angle. Which won't be a horrible idea since the frets aren't even on and I'd like to learn that too! Luckily, this is my guitar and not for someone else. Lesson learned....always look through before you glue. Seems so obvious now :-/

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 6:19 am
by tippie53
I always check to see that I can access the truss rod before gluing the neck
I am sure you will be doing the same from now on
best of luck

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 8:29 am
by twenty2late
Whew! Crisis averted. I was able to use a rat tail file to open up the hole in the shoulder brace very slightly and to put a slight ramp in the neck block channel. Now...the truss rod wrench is perfectly directed to the truss rod! Thanks for all the help...again!

V/R
Ken

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 10:24 am
by MaineGeezer
You can tell people you planned it that way. <grin>

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 1:05 pm
by Danl8
You could even call it an internal sound port. Glad to hear you were able to fix it!

Re: Oops - Missed the mark

Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 3:38 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
Live and learn. I'm glad you were able to gain access.