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In an effort to learn more luthier skills, I have attempted to inlay mop markers on my fingerboard. This is my first time, and for me it was very intimidating. I watched John's video "fingerboard inlay" on youtube and all I can say is AWESOME! It was very helpful. I successfully inlayed the entire fingerboard and it looks amazing....except....one of the markers, the focal point of my fingerboard, had some engraving that ended up getting removed after the leveling process was over. I know, I know, you're supposed to do engraving after that process, but I was afraid I would mess it up. I tried to level it as close as I could, and engrave deeply, so as not to lose what I did. It was only letters and numbers. But, some of it was removed through sanding, and I had to engrave after inlaying anyway.

Here lies the problem, I screwed up one of the numbers, and it's bugging the hell out of me. I tried to sand it out, but it's too low, so now I want to remove it. Any tips on how to do this?

I'm thinking tape around it, and try to seep acetone around and underneath it till the ca glue breaks free, and try to pry it out. Maybe I can sand it out, then reuse the old piece?

Thoughts??

Sincerely, the stumbling rookie with no help but the internet.

Sean

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change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

Acetone may well take it out but tape around the edge could be a mess as the acetone may dissolve it. May also get to places and dissolve other things as well like FB bindings or finish if that has been done. The ones I have had to remove have been during re-frets and needed replaced because they got too thin when I sanded the board. I heated those up with my soldering iron and popped them out.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Thanks Brian,

Will a soldering iron work to heat up a piece of mop glued with ca glue?

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/

It should, works on frets that have been super glued in.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

If Brian's suggestion for getting the piece out, just route it out taking care not to enlarge the cavity. Either way, try again.

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Kevin Mason
Mason Guitars and Ukuleles on Facebook
http://masonguitars.net

MOP isn't that expensive. I'd route out most of it and chisel the rest, recut, re-engrave.

Thanks guys. I actually used the acetone and managed to keep it around the piece and it popped right out. I was able to trace the old piece. And am on to the next step.

_________________
change isn't synonymous with improvement
instagram.com/bucketguitars/