Gluing the fingerboard and bridge

20140909
Finally the moment have come, the completed guitar.
Before I glue the fingerboard I need to prepare and ensure the fret slots were deep enough.
Actually there will 1 more round after sanding the finger after gluing.
I check with the no fret tang barb fret to ensure the fret can go fully in.
For those slot which is not deep enough, I will saw a little more.

After that I aligned the fret board and drill pilot holes in the 2nd and 11th fret.
I have a clamp caul which has holes for the pilot holes.
I use the 1mm drill bit with the RTX and drill the pilot holes.
After that I use the very simple but useful metal wire (which was left behind by my late father) to align the fretboard.
All is set for the gluing.
I did a fast caul for the underneath the top to have a relief for the UTB.

To glue I heat up the surface and apply the glue.
Before gluing I heat up the glue again after the application.
And use the metal wire to align the fretboard.
After all is aligned properly, I apply the clamps.
Now I just have to wait for the glue to dry.

Check the fret slots depth

Saw deeper the slots for those not deep enough slots.

Saw away the zero fret extra. It is saw just before gluing the fingerboard to prevent accident chipped off.

Check the alignment before drilling the pilot holes.

Pilot holes drilled.

Apply hide glue

Glue and clamped.

After the glued dried sufficiently I remove the clamped and check for the bridge alignment.
The bridge is placed at 652 mm with 2 mm more for compensation.
After I check and satisfied for the alignment I tape the bridge and drill 2 pilot holes.
The two holes are near the center brace So I know it will avoid the brace itself.
The safest way to shine a light inside to avoid the braces
After that I prepare all the clamps needed and heat up the surface apply the glue and glued. The clamps are applied swiftly.
Now I just have to wait for the glue to dry before string up.

Drill the guide holes

Apply glue

Clamp