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Ok, I'm gonna ask, though I'm sure this is an open and shut case for most of you more experienced builders. Recently, I was jointing a headstock veneer, and at the last minute decided to put a microbevel on it. Nothing big, mind you. Just enough for some extra compression on the face. This was after I'd gotten it plenty flat already.

The results were very good. But a headstock veneer is non-structural. And so I got to wondering. I know conventional wisdom is to square the edges of tops and backs before glue up, but has anybody ever tried a microbevel? I'm assuming that since I've never seen anyone do it, it's a bad idea. But I thought it might be worth asking.

Thanks.

P.S. As a kid I liked to run with scissors. Sometimes the scissors just need to be in another room NOW. So maybe this is kind of like that.

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David Morris

Maybe I'm just slow tonite.... whats a microbevel?

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It's a term we use a lot when we talk about sharpening chisels and plane blades. With this, I'm talking about putting the edges to be joined barely out of square, so the visible side will be compressed a little harder than the hidden side. Make sense?

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David Morris

It's a term we use a lot when we talk about sharpening chisels and plane blades. With this, I'm talking about putting the edges to be joined barely out of square, so the visible side will be compressed a little harder than the hidden side. Make sense?

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David Morris

So, basically you are putting a small peak at the joint like a roof (exaggerated) instead of being flat?

It's not a good idea.

The strongest joint, especially over time, will have maximum contact with as little stress as possible. When you
bevel half of the joint you're creating a stress that's always going to be forcing the joint apart.

Yes it is a bad idea. One thing is it may be tight at the surface but if you have to plane or sand off any material your joint will open. The more you take off the more it will open. Another thing is it is totally unnecessary. How thick is your veneer anyway ? It's not like there is a lot of surface to the edges of the joint that you need to reduce it even more. Not that hard to get an excellent to perfect joint.
And finally it's called a back bevel.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

Actually I think he's talking about a scarf joint. In effect he will get more (only slightly with a headstock veneer) gluing surface. I don't think it will hurt anything but I also dont think it will accomplish anything either...

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Actually I was talking about a back bevel. You guys make great points. That's why I asked. Thanks!

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David Morris