problems cutting headstock

[mrINFINITY]

I had some problems today cutting out the headstock of my guitar that i'm building. I drew a line across one side of the neck and started to cut, and it didn't match up on the opposite end. So I think i'll have to scrap that piece and try again. Might a new blade on the bandsaw fix the problem of it drifting like it did?

[rockola]

Originally posted by mrINFINITY
I had some problems today cutting out the headstock of my guitar that i'm building. I drew a line across one side of the neck and started to cut, and it didn't match up on the opposite end. So I think i'll have to scrap that piece and try again. Might a new blade on the bandsaw fix the problem of it drifting like it did?

The easiest way to get the headstock shape 100% the way you want it is to make a template (and it should be perfect, since all mistakes will be transferred to the headstock) from e.g. MDF, draw around it, cut it on a bandsaw while leaving enough wood around the line so the blade won't wander into the headstock (2-3 mm should do it), then finish it up with a router with a template bit (a straight bit with a bearing). If you don't have a router (which by the way I find indispensible in instrument making), you can also finish it up with handtools, it'll just take much longer. I would never try to use a bandsaw to cut the shape exactly, my bandsaw chops aren't that good.

[mrINFINITY]

Rockola,

the problem I had was in cutting the angle of the headstock, not cutting the actual headstock shape itself. I went out and got a new blade for my bandsaw today and it worked like a charm though. I was even able to correct the mistake I made yesterday it cut so well.