Bolt on necks

Maverick47 · Mar 12, 2013

Well, I'm into my first uke build (pineapple soprano).
I have built a couple of acoustic guitars in the past, using Spanish heel neck joints, but am thinking of bolt on for the sop.
Despite searching the forum, I can't find much info on how a bolt on is actually made. Are there any videos out there? What kind of bolt, what size, does it go into a cross grain dowel or captive nut? What size neck block? I'm thinking epoxy glue the neck as well as bolting??
However, is it possible to just butt joint the neck with epoxy? I recall a book on steel string guitar making which advocated just that - if the joint can stand that pressure then it should work for a small nylon stringed instrument.
If so, any recommendations on the best 2 pack glue to use? Araldite slow ?(I'm in the UK)

tinguitar · Mar 12, 2013

Barrel nut in the neck heel and bolt through from the inside:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//170891613058

$(KGrHqV,!pcF!H57VsEyBQH+lBl,jg~~60_35.JPG

mketom · Mar 12, 2013

Once again Pete Howlett comes to the rescue with one of his great uke builder video lessons...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoBLSRrdQZw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Thanks Pete! I have used this method on my first 6 ukuleles with great results. I have used Titebond with the bolt.

Maverick47 · Mar 12, 2013

Thanks, guys - video watched and bolts ordered!!
Wish it was all so easy!

ukulian · Mar 12, 2013

I find 50mm too long and use these:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/joint-connector-bolts-m6-x-35-bzp-pack-of-50/87106

http://www.screwfix.com/p/cross-dowel-m6-x-25mm-pack-of-50/82524

Maverick47 · Mar 12, 2013

Yeah, I've used the longer ones loads of times for worktop connectors (did kitchen fitting for years)- I'll cut off the extra length if needed. Just needed to know the basic stuff you experts use.
To reiterate, does anyone just do a glued butt joint, without support?

Maverick47 · Mar 12, 2013

Well, to answer my own question, tomorrow I will start on a "travelling,home-made backpacker acoustic design", one to carry with me whilst walking long distance footpaths.
Just thin modelmaker's birch ply,straight(ish) sides, soprano gauge,glued neck. If it gets sat on or busted along route, no problem.

Watch this space. haha

Ken W · Mar 12, 2013

This simple fixture helps align the holes in the neck.

Koa Soprano · Mar 13, 2013

Maverick47 said:
To reiterate, does anyone just do a glued butt joint, without support?

I do on sopranos.

Philstix · Mar 13, 2013

Yes, I have built two guitars and a bunch of tenor ukes using a butt joint glued with epoxy and never had a problem. The guitar necks have several decades of string tension without movinig at all. The guitar building book you mentioned was probably the one by David Russell Young. I don't know what they have for epoxy in the UK but any long set, high strength epoxy should work well.

Maverick47 · Mar 13, 2013

Thanks again guys, I will try the epoxy joint with slow set stuff available here. Yes, it was the David Russell Young book you mentioned - if I recall he was quite scathing about traditional dovetail neck joints.....
It occurred to me last night that if I do the cheapo thin plywood body, the sides will have to be rebated into the inside neck block, so that the neck is glued directly to the block, rather than to the ply, which would likely de-laminate under the strain. But I'll give it a whirl.
BTW Ken, I like the drilling jig.

Bolt on necks

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