What to use for neck taper and fingerboard?

[DigthemLows]

So I don't have a band saw and was curious what everyone does for the neck taper on a neck through, and what you use to cut the shape of the finger board, and in what order. I was thinking of cutting the neck taper to within an 1/8" with my jig saw and then using a template bit to router the rest. I was also just planning on cutting the fingerboard with my jig saw to size, slotting it, then glueing it before the final route to size with the neck??? Your help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Cerb]

Router with template bit and a 3/4" MDF neck/head template.

[DigthemLows]

That makes the best sense to me. I'm guessing same template for the finger board as well........Thanks!

[Cerb]

I also used the router to make the template. For the edges I just used a patern bit and a straightedge. For the headstock I simply cut it out with a jigsaw within about 1/8" and used rasps and files to get it to size.

If you go this route, though, make sure to use that template as your master template. Just use it to make working templates. Otherwise, one slip up and you have to make the master again.

[Jeronimofesto]

Hey I see you are in Sacramento... I live in Auburn. You can come by if you need any help with anything. I have pretty much every tool you would need.

[DigthemLows]

Originally Posted by Jeronimofesto

Hey I see you are in Sacramento... I live in Auburn. You can come by if you need any help with anything. I have pretty much every tool you would need.

I may take you up on that when it's time for drilling tuner holes. I don't have a drill press so that's the final "what will I do" thing in this project.

btw, I made a template from 3/4 mdf last night! Probably cut the fingerboard in the next few days.

[wilser]

Originally Posted by DigthemLows

So I don't have a band saw and was curious what everyone does for the neck taper on a neck through, and what you use to cut the shape of the finger board, and in what order. I was thinking of cutting the neck taper to within an 1/8" with my jig saw and then using a template bit to router the rest. I was also just planning on cutting the fingerboard with my jig saw to size, slotting it, then glueing it before the final route to size with the neck??? Your help/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I used your method before I got a bandsaw and it works just fine. You may want to slot the fingerboard before you taper it, though. It's better to have a perpendicular edge to guide against.

[DigthemLows]

Originally Posted by wilser

I used your method before I got a bandsaw and it works just fine. You may want to slot the fingerboard before you taper it, though. It's better to have a perpendicular edge to guide against.

It shouldn't matter with fanned frets. It would actually be harder if I didn't cut the taper first because once cut it wouldn't line up. At least that's how I understand it.

[wilser]

Originally Posted by DigthemLows

It shouldn't matter with fanned frets. It would actually be harder if I didn't cut the taper first because once cut it wouldn't line up. At least that's how I understand it.

it would have been helpful to know that from your original question

[DigthemLows]

sorry, he he..............my heads spinnin a little from this project! It's fun and exciting and scary, and fun!