#1
|
|||
|
|||
gluing micarta
I'm working on a project, and am using a micarta (Richlite) fretboard and possibly bridge. Whats the best glue to use for this? Will standard Titebond hold good enough?
__________________
______________ ---Tom H --- Last edited by hat; 01-18-2019 at 12:20 PM. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
micarta includes a wide range of different materials, resins, and properties (including Richlite, widely used for fretboards these days). Lots of suggestions that titebond may not work, some suggest epoxy or Gorilla type glue. Some have natural material (linen, paper) in a plastic resin. I would choose based on manufacturer's suggestions, and what I was gluing it to.
__________________
Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Good point.Post edited, substance is Richlite, from Martin.
__________________
______________ ---Tom H --- |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
after further research, I find that epoxy, or maybe Superglue are the only acceptable glues for Richlite. It does not have the cell structure to support using wicking glues, such as Titebond.
__________________
______________ ---Tom H --- |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Just finished a Martin dread kit with a Richlite fretboard.
The kit instructions, while definitely not the best, didn't mention the need for any special glues. I used Titebond and it has worked just fine so far. Played the guitar for 3 hours at the farmer's market Saturday and the fretboard didn't slip once. Oh yeah the bridge is richlite too. Same result. Worked just fine so far. And an update - sure looks like epoxy only is supposed to be used. Better go see if that bridge popped off yet! Last edited by Skarsaune; 01-22-2019 at 09:39 AM. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Did the Martin kit specify using Titebond? I find that curious. I wonder if they've had any complaints about problems with it?
I'm using a Richlite fretboard on a semi-acoustic I'm working on. I was going to use a Richlite bridge, but ended up going with a std Ebony one. Glad I did now. I don't mind using epoxy on the fretboard on this one, but I'll not use richlite again.
__________________
______________ ---Tom H --- |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I'll check the instructions again when I get home to see.
Curious myself, as I have another kit in progress. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Titebond is not the best glue to use. Slow set epoxy would be the most appropriate, provide the longest bond and be the strongest.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
In 1978, I built my first guitar. It used a "paper-based phenolic" material for the fingerboard. The phenolic was purchased in a 1/4" x 4 x 8' sheet and cut-up into fingerboard blanks. It came with a shiny surface that needed to be scraped off prior to gluing. The underside of the unbound fingerboard was glued to the neck and top using Titebond. In all of those years the glue joint has never shifted or failed.
According to richlite.com, Quote:
It would make sense to contact any of the guitar manufacturing companies (e.g. Martin) that use it in large quantities and ask what they recommend. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
To add to what Mr Tauber wrote, I've used Martin-made Richlite parts twice, one fingerboard and one bridge on separate instruments. Titebond for the fingerboard and HHG for the bridge. Two years later no issues with either. PS, I did use cyanoacrylate for the FB inlays. Same result there.
|
#11
|
|||
|
|||
An update - the Martin kit instructions make no mention of a special glue for the bridge or fretboard. Copyright on the booklet is 2005; I don’t know when they started supplying Richlite components.
The bridge and fretboard are clearly identified as Richlite in the kit description on their website. Anecdotally, my guitar is still together. :-) |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Epoxy for the bridge. I wonder how you would clean up squeeze out without hurting finish?
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
well, I glued the fretboard on with Titebond. I guess I'll see soon enough how well it holds.
__________________
______________ ---Tom H --- |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
In the TV show Fire and steel (sorry, I watch the French teanslation) they use fast acting epoxy to glue micarta handles on steel knifes.
|