End Strip Filler and Binding Stain Clean-up

[DavisLee]

My end strip has a very slight gap along its sides (see photos) as well as some minor chip-out that occured while chiseling the groove to set it into. It's actually not even as noticable as shown in the photos, but is there a good fix for filling in the gaps and the chip-out? I've read about making filler with sawdust and have saved all my rosewood and spruce dust in separate containers.

Also, when gluing the white binding strips into the routed channels, left a little of a rosewood-colored stain in a few places. What's the best way to clean this off of the binding?

Again, always appreciate the good tips you guys have to offer, this first guitar's a steep learning curve!

For the gaps/chips issue I would use this as an opportunity to be creative. I would cut out an equal amount per side, enough to eliminate the gaps/chips and insert some sort of contrasting wood, totally eliminating the problem.
But that's just me, someone who tends to be a bit 'anal' when it comes to eliminating woodworking mistakes.

-tommy

[DavisLee]

Tommyboy,

Not a bad idea, something I'd also do if I had more experience, but with this being my first guitar build and the grooving of the rosewood being the problem, I'm afraid of just chasing the problem over to the new edge of whatever strip I would put in to fill this present gap. Still I'm open to other ideas versus wood filler if they can be "easily" achieved.

[Ben-Had]

I fill those with dust and CA glue. depending on size and wood type.

[B. Howard]

Lots of options. sanding dust and CA is a decent one in EIR. You could do a burn in repair with lacquer sticks. There is a product called Famowood, the solvent based stuff is very good but the water based not so much. You could just finish and then do a drop fill at the end before level and buff depending on finish choice. Or if using a dark pore fill you could just fill it with that.

[DavisLee]

Tim & Brian,

I like the dust and glue option, can you describe it more? EIR?

[tippie53]

I don't use dust and glue as the glue can seal the wood and make it discolor on finish
Instead wait till you satin the guitar then save some dust and apply the dust and use shellac as the glue. This allows you to stain to get the best match.
You also have another option if you have a thin razor saw you can work the kerf and inlay a piece of wood decoration to set off the wedge.

[Ben-Had]

Tim & Brian,

I like the dust and glue option, can you describe it more? EIR?

I only use the CA and dust on EIR or other DARK woods (Ebony, etc.). It is disaster on spruce and other light woods, sometimes I can get away with it on mahogany depending on where it is. It darkens the lighter woods considerably.

I sand enough end grain to form a good pile of clean dust (I store it in old pill bottles). Then I just dump a small amount out, push it into the gap and tamp it in. Keep doing that until the gap is filled. Then I apply thin CA to the area, don't super flood it so it flows over on your end wedge (a little probably won't hurt). I use pipettes to apply the glue or a whip tip. After it sets I sand it back. If you do it right, in those areas I'd be real surprised if you could notice it without a magnifying glass.

John's method will work as well if your worried about staining the surrounding wood but I have had any problems with EIR.

[Darryl Young]

Maybe route out the entire end wedge cutting a shape for a new, wider end wedge. If you use a chisel, it has to be scary sharp. I prefer to route the area out installing a wedge with purfling strips......but at least cut the sides with a flush cut saw or dovetail saw then chisel out the middle. Hopefully this will eliminate the chipout on the sides.

[B. Howard]

To avoid the problems mentioned with CA wicking into the wood and possibly highlighting through the finish when using dust and CA for a fill I do mine differently. Where most pack the gap with dust and then drop in some thin CA I take a different approach. I mix some dust and medium CA on a small pallet and make a paste and then pack that into the gap. You don't get seepage into the grain that way. But you need to make small amounts of paste at a time and work very quickly as it sets up fast.