Tail block assembly

[jaylynch]

Ken - In the Success Kit instructions for the Mega Mold, you mention drilling two holes and adding two brads to ensure alignment. The pics show this being done on the neck block. Should I also do this on the tail block? If so, how would I hide the brads after assembly? Just want to be certain before I glue the first piece.
Thanks,

Jay

[ken cierp]

The pinning is not as critical at the tail, but you can still pin close to the joint since the tail wedge that is inlayed will cover -- plan ahead, so you know how much space you have then drill accordingly.

[jaylynch]

End block has considerable gap between rim and block after glueing. Should I disassemble; clean it up and do over. Or can I put glue in the gap between block and rim sides and clamp to close the gap.

Thanks

Jay

[ken cierp]

I going out on a limb and conclude that you know this has to be corrected -- its very bad. Use heat to (an iron) and a putty knife to disassemble, take care not to cause warps with too much heat. Now the good news is that you have a great learning experience to fall back on. You must check and double check your fits -- make sure your cauls do the job, cover them with plastic packaging tape so the don't get stuck to the project ---try out your clamping arrangements dry (no glue) -- pin where you can to prevent movement/slipping --- and look over the joint to make sure you see some squeeze out so you know the joint it tight and the clamps are working.

[jaylynch]

Ken - You are correct; I was pretty sure it need to be done over; just wanted to be sure. Thanks for the quick reply.

Jay

[jaylynch]

Now trying to undo the bad glue job. I'm applying heat from an iron through a terrycloth towel to the outside of the rim. Should this cause the glue to soften? I'm not sure what to expect and concerned about heating too much and warping the rosewood. The joint appears to be about 75 % solid making disassembly difficult.

Lessons learned. I should have checked the joint after an hour or so. I did a dry fit assembly with all clamps and it appeared to be tight. I think a couple clamps slipped; I had a good view of the joint which was closed at the start of clamping. I'm wondering if a couple of Jorgennson style wood clamps would do a better job.

Jay

[ken cierp]

What kind of glue? Titebond?

Yes it needs to get hot not just warm -- yes it will soften but you still need to wiggle a putty knife into the the glue line -- heat the putty knife too.

Once it seperated make sure you remove ALL the glue residue before re-assembling.