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Currently I use a chisel upside down to carve out the bulk and hit the rest with a rasp.

I feel there should be a better tool for bulk removal at this area.

What do you use?

I got one of these years ago and use it to hog off material and rough shape the heel. Follow with what you do, upside down chisel and various rasps.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/7-1-2-x ... nder/D4595

The price has gone up quite a bit since I bought mine.

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I use an upside down belt sander in a vice with 80 grit belt.Does it quite quickly but not too fast.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

I use an osscilating spindle sander (OSS). I got mine off the home depot website for just over $100.

I like Terence's hand held sander option, but strangely enough a tabletop OSS was cheaper, and for me more versatile.

I use a coping saw to get it close and then a coarse Dragon rasp followed by a fine one. I used to use chisels like you do until I got the rasp sometime about a year ago and there is no going back. I think the rasp is the best tool for the job IMHO.

I got one of the LMI razor files. I really like it for aggressive stock removal. Allows you to keep control...

https://www.lmii.com/products/tools-ser ... azor-files

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

I was wondering if there was a special gouge or draw knife type of thing...

We use a small Pfeil carver's draw knife with ball-style handles set at 45 degrees or so. That and a medium Auriou rasp do a nice job of bringing the area down to the lines.

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/pfeil-swiss-made-carvers-drawknife

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Four in hand rasp.

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That draw knife looks like it could get a lot done in a short time.

Violin knife and upside down chisel... and sometimes a file if I get ripples.

Rotory rasp in a drill motor, than SM Dragon file, followed with Grizzly blatter sander with 100 grit drum

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Just use something that removes wood and that you can control Seriously, I use a 1" chisel with a mallet followed by various rasps and then sandpaper. Lots of ways to get it done.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

A Nicholson #50, Auriou long #12, and cloth backed sand paper does the trick for me...

I use a large router bit and a simple jig to rough out both the neck shaft and the end block in the same operation.

Got any pics?

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Pat

Custom made skew chisels- one left one right.

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I guess the best tool for that job is a multi axis cnc.
I would think that for higher volume producers it would pay to have batches outsourced, at least to a state that has removed the bulk of the waste, yet still allowing for your customization.
I have used everything mentioned above, depending on my need for silence, difficult grain or my mood.
The draw knife is pretty good. Spindle sander too.

B

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I use this. Not multi axis, but also home built. So, I take some pride in that.

Rotary rasp, Ken?

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

For serious stock removal I have used one of these on a grinder, a carbide cup wheel from Harbor Freight (I have not tried it on a neck however...). http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half ... 66613.html Utmost care is needed. With some finesse, you can control it.

Has anybody tried a microplane rotary shaper? http://www.rockler.com/1-and-2-micropla ... rs-shapers I've wondered how they work...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Actually I did try a Microplane for this operation and was disappointed, brand new and it did not remove material as quick or evenly as I was expecting.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I've tried the microplane in a drill. Didn't like it. I like the sanding drum in my cordless drill. 60 grit to take it to rough shape and then switch to finer grits. I have this one along with a longer one.
http://www.industrialabrasives.com/2x41 ... p-128.html

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Having fun learning every day.

That rotary rasp looks a bit terrifying. Like the drill press drum sander, that's cool.