Devon Headen Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 So I've been working on a new build the last couple've days (yes, I was the first with the limba/ziricote combo thanks ). Last night I was levelling the scarfed section of the fretboard plane with the plank. I'm putting a little pressure on the headstock surface, because I switched to truing it up. I hear 'CRACK' and think '#$%$, what was that?!?!'. I give the scarf a little tug and it pulls free from the rear headstock veneer. 'So now I have a scarfed headstock veneer on the neck shaft. Oh well, at least that joint is good. Let's test it to make sure.....' CRACK'. "#%$^" and then a fist fight with the wall ensued. Somehow the wall always wins without throwing a punch . So after stewing over what the problem; 'I know the surface prep was perfect, and I've never had a glue joint fail, what is the stinking deal?!,' it occurred to me; my glue had been in the shop all winter. I wasn't sure whether it had frozen or not, but apparently it did, because I KNOW that surface was perfect. I think I might be able to salvage the neck still, but only time will tell. Lessons learned: 1. Don't leave your glue in freezing weather 2. When in doubt (I was), buy new glue 3. Test your glue joints. Luckilly this all happened when I only had maybe 5 or 6 hours in the neck, and like I said I might be able to salvage materials. I don't post many problems that I had here, because most of them have been covered 8 or 10 times. I only remember reading that freezing screws up glue once way back in the mimf archives, so I thought I'd bring this issue a little attention. Has anyone else had this problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mledbetter Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Man that sucks.. My glue is brand new, so if anything of mine fails, I can't blame the glue.. I was planning a scarf joint on mine too.. did you buy the limba neck? I got one limba and one maple.. i'm going to match limba with limba though. Good info. It's definitely worth throwing down another 5 bucks or so for a fresh bottle of glue if in doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted May 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Yeah, I got a limba blank. I think I might get a couple pics of this one in progress. I cleaned up and reglued the scarf this morning, so all will be revealed in the morning. If all goes well (I don't see why it wouldn't), I'll only lose about an hour of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Yep - freezing will fubar titebond, pretty much any aliphatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted May 10, 2005 Report Share Posted May 10, 2005 Long ago a guy I worked for taught me a neat trick. Everything that can freeze goes into a great big plywood box at night. There is a 5W refrigerator light inside. It burns almost no electricity, but it keeps everything warm. I haven't had a shop with heat in I don't know how long, but my glue stays good. It's also nice to not have stuff thicker than maple syrup even if it doesn't hurt it to freeze so I keep epoxys and such in there. If your aliphatic type glue is either separated or lumpy it worth the $14.00 a gallon to pitch it and buy new. Any doubt throw it out. Glue line failure usually doesn't happen until you're completely done and you've delivered the ____ to the customer. Another thing to remember is that if your wood is too cold or the whole thing gets below freezing before the glue dries you are screwed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassman Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Funny thing, I have been using the LMII glue, and I swear that they state somwhere that its shelf life can be extended by by kept cold or frozen. So of course I have an "extra" bottle waiting for me in the freezer!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted May 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 I've never used the lmii glue, but I'm fairly certain it's not an aliphatic resin glue. Sounds like some sort of organic stuff maybe from their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Sorry to hear that Devon. I keep my glue in my workshop (lucky for me it is heated). I have never had a glue joint fail on me (knock on wood), but I would be mad too. I hope it re-glues well and it can be chalked up to a lesson learned. Peace, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted May 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Well, thoroughly tested the glue joint this morning, and it is not coming apart any time soon . Apparently it WAS the glue's fault. While I was out in the shop the FedEx man brought me a lovely package from cousin Stew, that after a Grizzly package arrived day before yesterday. Christmas in May Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted May 11, 2005 Report Share Posted May 11, 2005 Wahhhh Hoooo! I like Christmas. Good to hear the joint worked out. Peace, Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 (edited) When in doubt, Give the Titebond the Sniff test. If it smells like farts after a night of drinking cheap beer, it's probably gone bad Edited May 12, 2005 by Scott Rosenberger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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