Neck block ?.

[Paul C]

Would the grain on this neck block be ok for the heel or should it be cut and laminated together. It is a piece of sapele. And if it is ok what would be the best way to orient it to the neck

[ken cierp]

In our spec requirements that piece of would is not suitable for a heel block. We require vertical grain and also a grain pattern match -- otherwise the heel and joint are much too conspicuous. I suppose if you were using a very dark concealing stain or tint is would not matter.

[Herman]

Ken, don't you use the horizontal grain orientation for the blocks?

[ken cierp]

no -- vertical grain with pins, just like the pic above -- ends up looking pretty much like a solid neck. Not in the shop so I don't have any images to post.

[Herman]

Has that orientation a relation to the construction? Because traditionally the grain is pointed in the direction of the sides, isn't it? Or do I miss something?
Herman

[ken cierp]

Here's a couple more pixs a Walnut neck with a glued on block note its almost invisible. The other is a solid Mahogany blank note the grain direction on the end.

[Herman]

O, stupid me, now I see. It is the heel of the neck and not the neckblock. (According to my vocabulary)
Sorry for the disturbance.
Herman