Making headplates from fretboard blanks

[Kevin in California]

Well I took no pictures of what did. Sorry, but let me explain.

About a week ago Stewmac had a sale. They had 3000 ebony fretboard blanks for $10 each, 5 for $46 and 10 for $80 (I think)

These were black ebony with some brown streaking. I bought 5.

They came and were amazing for the price. These were not seconds. 5/16" thick, flat and almost 3" wide and 21" long. I got the idea that I could turn one board into 6 headplates. I went on their site the day they arrived to buy at leat 5 more.......they were already sold out!

Did any of you see the sale and partake?

These were, at today's prices ay least $30 boards. I wish I'd just gone for more.

Anyway here's what I did. I picked out one that I like for headplates. Then I took 2 other boards and after jointing one edge on both I cut off a 1/4" strip from each one. I glued these onto either side of my headplate board which gave me about 3 and 3/16" Width. My headstock are 3" at their widest.

Then I cut that piece into 3 at 7" long each.. Then I resawed each one in half. Then I ran them through the drum sander cleaning up the saw marks and have 6 plates at .125" each.

So for $10 I got 6 ebony headplates that would have cost at a minimum $10 each from places like Exotic Hardwoods.

So even if you pay more than I did for the fretboard you might consider trying this, with any type wood of course.

I'm all about saving on supplies where I can.

Happy building.

[Herman]

Well done Kevin. I act on the same level. SM is soo expensive on their tonewoods! In the past I bought from them. But nowadays, with the shipping and the import taxes, I have to pay for an average b/s set hundreds. Bloody politics. Kills the trade. (sorry, I don't want to be rabble- rousing)
Herman