Hofner archtop de-laminating neck.

[Len Biglin]

Hi , this one is an arch top which was stored in the roof space for years ! The neck has torn away from the heelblock , and the neck is also opening up length - wise as it is laminated from 3 pieces . Is there a convenient way to clamp the back side of the neck , to force the cracks closed ?Len

[Russell Vance]

Hi Len,
If the cracks have simply opened up due to heat and time and can be mechanically forced back closed ( that is, no permanent warping) the use of yellow glue or gap filling epoxy and a neck long series of compression bandages of heavy duty brown tape may do the trick along with a bunch of big cable ties cynched up tight out side the wound tape. Bit like puting on binding. Surprisingly, you can get a lot of pressure from this system and cabinet makers have been using it for a years, albeit on new joints.

Alternatively, and this is not something I have tried - a large V block with the neck forced down into the V section via a caul on the fingerboard top and a bunch of clamps may provide the tangential pressure to force the outside laminations to close with the middle lamination. Other than that I'm sure someone knows a better way and good luck with this one.
Rusty.

[FRANK]

hey len can you send a photo please

[Jeff Highland]

Maybe the big long strip of truck inner tube wound around with many layers.
BTW greetings from down the road at Caves Beach.

[Len Biglin]

Thanks Rusty and Jeff , I haven't tried it yet so I dont know how hard it's going to be.Paul I'm sorry my camera and phone both dont speak to my computer .I may take some shots to disc then post them later. Thanks again. Len
Hey Jeff the swell is comin up !

[Joshua Levin-Epstein]

You might also try the clamps StewMac sells for gluing fingerboards. Attached are some pictures of them in action. I think they are the bee's knees.

Joshua

[Ned Knepp]

I have some of these too and I like them a lot. One thing, they can leave indentions on softer wood and dig in on sharp corners.

Ned

[Len Biglin]

Thanks Ned and Joshua , I will get some , that fretbd work is awkward enough.Len