Assemble the neck to the body

20210417
Next step is to glue the neck to the body.
Only after the neck is attached to the body then the heel area can be shaped nicely.
This is to ensure the curves are correctly aligned and smoothen nicely.

So before glue one last look is done to ensure the alignment is correct.
Next glue is applied and the neck is glued to the body.
I had use titebond instead of my usual hide as I have run out of the hide granules and had to order from overseas.
But nonetheless titebond is structurally good glue too.

One last check on the alignment before gluing

Applied the glue

Glued

Applying the clamps

More clamps

Another view

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Next the clamps are removed and the alignment is perfect.
The heel is carved next but I lack of the proper knife.
Chisel can be used but a cutting knife kiridashi is better due to the slant angle of attack.
After that the heel cap is shaped and glued.
Only after the heel cap is glued, then the carving of the heel can be completed as it has to transit nicely from the heel cap to the heel.
There was a defect in the neck but once carved to the actual thickness, the defect was totally removed.

After gluing and clamps removed. Alignment is good

Shaping the heel. I had only the marking knife, should have gotten the kiridashi for easier carving

Heel roughly shaped

Gluing the heel cap

Heel carved and sanded smooth

Another view of the heel

Carving the neck using spoke shave

I noticed my high angle block plane is rather useful in this case too. There was a pitch pocket in the neck but luckily once carved to the correct thickness the pocket is remove totally

Neck / heel done

Another view of the heel area