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Using burl
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Author:  SnowManSnow [ Fri Apr 19, 2024 11:33 am ]
Post subject:  Using burl
Gday all:) it’s been a min since my last post! I’m currently on build 33 and am biting off some more “variables” for this guitar. One of those things : I have some buckeye burl I want to use for the headstock and rosette / end wedge. I’ve managed to bookmacg it fine from a block. Thickness is around 1/8 inch probably at this point. I thought it would help w drying and all if it were thinner.

Question is… what is a good way to cure this kind of wood to use in this application? Would wicking water thin ca glue do anything of note to make it less brittle? Epoxy?

I appreciate the input:) Image


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Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Fri Apr 19, 2024 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
I've used it on two instruments for all of those things. On one it was just sanded and lacquered. That was 15 years ago and still fine. The other was a mahogany body so it got some zpoxy on at least the end wedge. The maple burl I used had essentially no voids though. It was definitely pretty fragile stuff but stable once finished. I haven't used buckeye before but assume it's similar.

This was the only pic I could find and it was just sanded and lacquered.
Image
Author:  DennisK [ Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
Thin CA will harden it up nicely. Just a bit expensive and noxious. But maybe not necessary. Those don't look super fragile, and as long as they hold together until glued in place they'll be fine.

If it were mine I'd leave the voids open, and put a layer of black veneer under it. Or India ink might work. But I don't know if it would be good with anything but wipe-on shellac finish. If you're doing a thicker spray finish or brushed varnish, it might build up around the edges or fill them in too much and look weird. French polished shellac also tends to build up on edges.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
I would saturate with thin CA or penetrating epoxy, then glue it to a a backing veneer…
Author:  Clay S. [ Sat Apr 20, 2024 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
meddlingfool wrote:
I would saturate with thin CA or penetrating epoxy, then glue it to a a backing veneer…


I also like to saturate burls and crotch figure with thin epoxy or CA. the "grain" of these materials runs in all directions and changes of humidity will sometimes cause it shrink and form multiple small cracks. When the pores are filled with epoxy or CA changes of humidity don't seem to affect it.
Author:  RNRoberts [ Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
Thin CA worked well for this one, but runs the risk of the CA boiling and leaving areas of permanent white. I'd lean toward a thin penetrating epoxy as safer. I would think it would also really "pop" the figure in your burl.
Author:  RNRoberts [ Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
Man, sorry for the size - haven't posted a picture here for a while.
Author:  rbuddy [ Sat Apr 20, 2024 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
RNR

That's one gorgeous head!

Thanks for posting the pic.
Author:  Mark Mc [ Sun Apr 21, 2024 5:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
You have very large voids in that burl - but it dos look very nice. I would saturate it with epoxy, fill the voids and mount it on a backing veneer. Then you have a very stable and usable material to work with.
Author:  SnowManSnow [ Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using burl
Mark Mc wrote:
You have very large voids in that burl - but it dos look very nice. I would saturate it with epoxy, fill the voids and mount it on a backing veneer. Then you have a very stable and usable material to work with.

I’ll fill the voids no problem. Shellac seal fill w dust from a cut off / thin ca and repeat till it’s filled


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