How To Radius A Fretboard With No Special Tools... Freestyle!

Okay, some of y'all might consider a belt sander to be a "Special Tool" but I think it is a pretty standard woodworking tool. Hell, you can buy a pretty decent one from Harbor Freight.
Anyway, this was the technique we used WAY back in the day when I was at Roberto-Venn and it actually worked better than I remembered. Check it out and see for yourself.
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Original score: Electric Boogie Dawgs
Artwork: Paul Shellooe
DISCLAIMER: Our videos are strictly for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Imitation or the use of any acts depicted in these videos is solely AT YOUR OWN RISK. All work with power tools should be carried out by trained users.
We (including KZbin) will not be held liable for any injury to yourself or damage to your property resulting from attempting anything shown in any our videos.
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Remember, we are showing you what we do, not how to do it. If you do not possess the necessary skills to perform work at this level, do not attempt to replicate what you see here. If you're going to be dumb, you have to be TOUGH.

[@gregcissell345]

That’s funny!😂 No special tools then you break out the industrial size belt sander.😂😂 I love what you do on your channel it helps a lot, I’ve been playing guitar 40 yrs and tearing them up for 10 years . I had 2 that was beyond fixing, until I started watching your videos, now they’re back in regular rotation.

[@Scion4600]

I started my last one with a radius block, got fed up with how long it was taking. Drew on facet lines with a pencil and used a block plane. Turned out to be the best one I've done yet, and took way less time than I anticipated.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That is awesome Braden... sanding sucks :)

[@MixingGBP]

Just curious...when you were trying the radius block, what grits did you use?

[@jcarry5214]

Braden, was the board already slotted? I was considering the same but I worried about blowing chips out when already slotted. I can sharpen like a beast but the idea still scares the hell out of me.

[@74dartman13]

Last year, I built my first neck. I used a radius block to sand the fret board and it took forever. Maybe next time, I'll run it across the belt sander first, then chase it with the block. I think it'll save a lot of work. Thanks for the video!👍😎🎸🎶

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Thanks brotherman, hope it helps out

[@74dartman13]

@@TexasToastGuitars yep. I'm sure it will. Hope you all have a nice Christmas!👍😎🎸🎶

[@aaronstonebeat]

In a recent video I saw Ben Crowe radius a fretboard with just a hand plane. Wow!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We never cease to be amazed by Ben Crowe's ability and potential

[@mark5150ty]

I like the router sled method I have several sleds I have made out of plywood with different radii.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Those work pretty well too, we used one for a while with great results

[@mark5150ty]

@@TexasToastGuitars yeah I really don't like it for compound though.

[@btlxguitars7606]

The sticker on your compressor tank "I love the smell of AvGas in the morning"... I love it... You have no idea how many times I either heard that, or jokingly said it when I was in the air force the morning after a heavy night drinking... The smell of Avtur will either cure your hangover or send you right back to bed, crying like a baby with a grazed knee...

[@bevo65]

Yep. Living on base always brought the wonderful smell of freedom. 🤠

[@briankientz2926]

I still use radiused sanding blocks (at one point I cut a scraper blade to radius, kinda worked), but I don't produce that many finger boards either...I am pretty smart, just not nearly as COOL as the Texas Toast guys, keep up the good work Matt & Chris...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That sounds pretty cool too Brian

[@NeoRichardBlake]

It may be a little tough on the headstock end, but maybe drawing the desired radius on the ends of the fretboard before sanding might help to achieve better results, without the butt end flat space.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Maybe so. This was really just a funny exercise to see how close we could get and will in no way replace my radius jig.

[@NeoRichardBlake]

@@TexasToastGuitars For sure. It was just a thought I had that may be of use to those of us without the jig. 😜

[@rellikguitars7237]

I have a big ass sander like that. I usually do just what you have done here and then finish off by hand with 500mm radiusing beams. It works quite well ( but I only do this as a hobby) ... All the best guys,..... Sarah XX

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We get spoiled by our tools, sometimes it's really fun to go old school

[@johnpearson4899]

This subject has been on my mind/bench a lot lately. Years ago, maybe mid to late 80s, I saw a "factory tour" type program on some Saturday TV show. I can't remember if it was Gibson or fender but they were showing a lathe type machine that they had bought from Louisville Slugger factory and modified to cut guitar necks. I can't specifically remember if the fretboard was involved in this process but, it is an older method. I've searched for this video numerous times over the years to see if maybe someone has posted it somewhere but, no luck. Yet, anyway.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Travis Bean used to use a lathe to shape 2 necks at a time

[@ThrushCZX]

Matt, I’d love to know your thoughts: say you have a neck that already has a 9.5” radius, and you were going to remove all the frets anyway (let’s say we’re replacing them with stainless steel). What’s your thoughts on the viability of using a radius sanding block to take that 9.5” fretboard to a 12” radius, by hand? I’m theory it seems completely doable, it after watching this I’m wondering how easy it would be to eff it up, and put a twist in it and go all cattywompus

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Hi Matt, Thanks for watching. Of course, you can alter your fretboard radius with a block, by hand. However, I'm not sure you will notice any real gain by doing so. If you are looking to practice on a neck and get good at this kind of job that would be a fun thing to do. So, is it possible to do it perfectly? Absolutely Is it possible to get it all cattywampus? Absolutely There are TONS of great videos and books on this exact job. Keep in mind that I don't do this sort of thing often as I don't do any sort of repair work these days. I'm pretty much the wrong guy to ask HAHAHA Good luck amigo, take your time and you will get it really nice.

[@russiangoose7053]

I have a neck I want to re-radius, but I don't want to buy one of the expensive aluminum 16 inch stewmac ones , can I get by with a shorter wooden one? It's a 9.5 radius and I want to make it a 12. Any advice is appreciated? (It's a cheapo neck so if I mess it up I'm not out much 😂)

[@Hunterslife315]

I wonder if a standing belt sander would work pretty good since you're able to watch the rotations since you're holding it sideways instead on the flat sander your using. Or does it matter?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I'm not really sure, but I'd like to hear more

[@Hunterslife315]

@@TexasToastGuitars I was just curious bc I would like to make a cigar box neck and I just wonder if a smaller upright belt sander could or mite be just as good as the flat sander. I have ocd lol so I'd always wanna see if or which ones better. I would only assume imo if I used the upright I can actually stand behind it and hold the neck and watch my rotation. I really wanna get into making cigar box builds and make sure I at least have the right tools. I do alot of blacksmithing but it's totally different then building an instrument.

[@jonahguitarguy]

I'd be willing to bet that most old production shops had a swing arm set up of some sort. Me, I rough in with a plane or deadhead sander and finish up with a radius block and beam. Fender must have used some kind of molder/planer when they went to veneer boards.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We need more information. I talked to Joe at Heritage and he said they back in the Gibson days they used a radius shoe on a sander and pressed the necks to it. I'm unconvinced that the swinging arm sander was as standard as we think.

[@jonahguitarguy]

@@TexasToastGuitars, I was also thinking about something like a radius shoe.

[@rivulus]

There are quite a few fender factory tours on youtube. The 57 one does not show the radius partt but maybe there is something in the background. The 97 tour is all cnc, but the radius jig is still a rig with two necks on a rotary jig against a belt sander. I remember seeing an old item somewhere about the mexico plant having the old fender equipment including a radius swing but I could not find it again.

[@amranard]

I think that my belt sander is a bit too short for that. I may give it a go though, I am off for the next couple of weeks and have had a couple of unfinished guitar projects in my garage for far too long.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

At RV, back in the old days we used the 6x48 sander

[@MrTomb543]

“How to radius a fretboard with no special tools” *proceeds to use a mounted belt sander*

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

I wonder if anyone turned a chunk of wood to the desired radius on a lathe and then sliced off the fretboards, getting several out of one chunk. Would that even be practical?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Neat idea, I have seen Travis Bean necks polished on a lathe back to back

[@joetorrez6333]

Could you use the radius gauge to scrape the fretboard down?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

While I'm sure one could put a burr on a piece of metal with a specific radius and use it like a card scraper...I don't recommend doing it with these particular gauges

[@joetorrez6333]

@@TexasToastGuitars understood. Thank you, sir. 🤘

[@juliansuarez3849]

that was fun!!! I was worried about your fingers nails!!!🤣🤣

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Not me man :)

[@juliansuarez3849]

@@TexasToastGuitars hahaha merry xmas!!

[@pops71]

Good Rudd as usual. II believe I saw video of using a deadhead sander to free hand radius.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

That would do it too, it might be easier?

[@rauschguitars]

"No special tools", proceeds to use a belt sander bigger than some people's workbenches. 😂 I did my last fretboard using a number 6 handplane followed by a radius sanding block and a leveling beam. Worked great and took about half an hour.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I don't consider a belt sander to be a special tool... hand tool guys might but I don't

[@rauschguitars]

@@TexasToastGuitars definitely! A hobby builder probably won't sacrifice the shop space for one, but with your setup it definitely makes sense!

[@matthewjames6873]

Terrific video! Very helpful!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Glad it was helpful my friend

[@TomL-]

I couldn't stop admiring Chris' ponytail

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I know right

[@johnulrich5572]

Cool video but I kept worrying that you and Chris would sand your finger tips off! After 30 years of guitar building do you have any finger prints left? Happy holidays.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I got nicked with the DH sander the other day

[@tobaccorich]

I can confirm. This is a mega nuisance with just a radius block.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

ugh, that is a rotten job

[@andrewstpierre4837]

A cool video showing that there are many ways to skin the cat. Helps to have some skills and touch.

[@bevo65]

2:00 - Man, I hope you were wearing a cup! 😆

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I wear all the required PPE

[@j-mo2453]

Freestyle?! I love freestyle. Frugal-Cool is totally my thing. Lolol

[@j-mo2453]

No. Lol

[@j-mo2453]

Too free. Not enough style. I’ll glue a radius block to a hand plane and fix those for you lol

[@j-mo2453]

I think does the trick to get some material off, but I know I would not fair any better. Your apparatus is a beautiful thing. Great fixture that I think worth mimicking at least in concept,

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Mine too

[@vanshankguitars]

Pretty cool stuff! Still faster than my method

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Give it a shot sometime

[@JC-11111]

Didn't realize Roberto Venn has a youtube channel 👍

[@TexasToastGuitars]

They are really active on social media

[@kaicho8888]

Mat and Chris... The dynamic duo! OK, OK... Jesse, too... and we can't forget Mrs. TT. You guys take a break from YT and enjoy the holidays! Thank you again for an entertaining channel.🏆🍻

[@TexasToastGuitars]

We will be doing a live Q&A tonight

[@drittal]

If Chris’ hair gets much longer he’ll be showing up fir work in a bath robe and flip flops drinking White Russians, man.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

He is going to have to start saying "Hey Man" a lot more

[@drittal]

@@TexasToastGuitars would that make you Walter?

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@drittal it would not

[@danandratis]

Nothing like a friendly competition - Sorry Matt, going to declare Jesse the winner! - Thanks Merry Cridmen

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Sounds like a popularity contest

[@jvanb231]

Flat spots?!? -- you mean, compound radius!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

HAHA yeah lets call it that :)

[@mallninja9805]

"With No Special Tools!" Uses a giant belt sander 🤣🤣

[@TexasToastGuitars]

I don't think a belt sander is particularly specialized

[@clintbowers5524]

It’s an art, they used to employ artist to radius fretboards!.......Yeah, that’s it!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Could be... I like to think that guitar building is a trade more than an art but the line is pretty thin :)

[@ClumsyFlounder]

How is a huge industrial sander not a special tool....

[@TexasToastGuitars]

It isn't a unitasker. A sander is a pretty basic tool in any woodshop. Next time you go to one ask if they have a belt sander. Them all how specialized it is.

[@ClumsyFlounder]

@@TexasToastGuitars Nice Grammar

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@ClumsyFlounder hahaha sour grapes.

[@ClumsyFlounder]

@@TexasToastGuitars It's not sour grapes. I literally don't know what you were trying to say. But whatever, have fun with your substandard grammar and ideas

[@TexasToastGuitars]

@@ClumsyFlounder don't forget to criticize my tools and throw in a mama joke. That will really get under my skin. You really aren't very good at this whole KZbin trash talking. I'm betting you aren't very good at building guitars either. I'm betting you are just waking up in your parent's house. Enjoy your avocado toast little guy

[@oldrrocr]

yeah! totally convinced me NOT to attempt this... thanks!

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Cool man

[@guitarocd9984]

My finished product would be a pile of sawdust.

[@TexasToastGuitars]

You can do it :)

[@luthieriaverum5677]

This concept of a spoke sander is outdated, it was left behind and luthiers stopped using it in time, no precision in that.

[@coryedmunds7166]

No special tools...

[@TexasToastGuitars]

Not to me