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Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:41 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Any way to do that without ruining anything?

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:50 pm
by Kevin in California
Hot iron, hot putty knife carefully inserted?

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:56 pm
by Dave Bagwill
That's what I'm thinking. It is easy to curl that fretboard though.

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:50 pm
by dave d
I used an iron set on low, right on the frets. Applied heat long enough to insert a putty knife between the neck and FB, and then slowly inched my way up the neck, using two knives. Took about 30-45 minutes, periodically applying heat. (I now own a heat gun, so would maybe use that instead if I had to do it again) There was some curl on the FB, but I clamped it to my workbench for a day and it went flat again.

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:38 pm
by Tim Benware
Dave I have a special blanket for heating the FB but a bending blanket (although a little cumbersome) or the iron should work. I use this knife to remove FB's in my repair work. I've found nothing better. I start the lift with a pallet knife (same kind to remove a bridge) then insert the knife in the pic it has a thicker blade and duller edge and tends to lift the board ahead of the blade. Go slowly.

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 12:22 am
by Dave Bagwill
Okey-dokey, will give it a try. Thanks!

Re: Removing a titebonded fretboard

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:59 am
by ken cierp
I have a SS butter knife that is ground to a sharp edge to get the wedging started, the rounded point is handy for this process. Of course you have to take care not to apply too much heat -- I've found that working the board off gently yields pretty good result. For me salvaging the FB has been no better than 50/50. The trick I use, is to pry the it off using small wedges made from popsicle sticks. Of course you have to take care not to dent the neck in the process. Side bar -- this Harmony was a really cool restoration!

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