StewMac UKULELE KIT - Page 20

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20
If there is any glue squeeze out in the nut slot or under the
ngerboard near the heel wait 5 minutes and clean it up
as you did with the braces. (Don’t worry about squeeze
out along the edges of the ngerboard. We’ll clean that up
after it is dry.)
Allow the glue to dry overnight.
Smooth the ngerboard/neck transition
The glue joint between the ngerboard and neck needs to
be smoothed to get a comfortable transition between the
rounded neck and the at edge of the ngerboard.
Use a at le and sandpaper to slightly round the ngerboard
edge, blending it into the neck. At this stage, you’re shaping,
not nal sanding. Final sanding comes later, as you prepare
for nishing.
While ling along the length of the neck, this is a good time
to double-check the bevel of your fret ends. When playing
the uke, you’ll appreciate the feel of the rounded neck
blending smoothly into the ngerboard, with comfortably
beveled fret ends.
Trim the heel
If the heel of your neck extends past the sides of the ukulele
we will need to trim the neck so the heel transitions nicely
from the back of the instrument.
If the registration pins hold the neck up (even the slightest
amount) use a le to lightly remove some material from the
registration pins until the ngerboard sits dead at against
the neck.
Preparing the nut area
If there is any dried glue squeeze out from where the head-
plate was applied it is easiest to remove it now before the
ngerboard is glued on.
It is easiest to remove this with a very sharp chisel. Simply
lay the back of the chisel along the face of the ngerboard
and gently remove any dried glue.
Gluing the ngerboard on the neck
Brush glue onto the surface of the neck, and press the n-
gerboard in place.
Wrap the board tightly with rubber binding bands. Even with
the registration pins it is important to check to be sure the
board is centered on the neck.