Mildly warped neck wood

[Dan Sleep]

Every once in a while, I find a piece of 1x2 red oak that would make a really nice neck, except for a mild curvature or waping. I usually overlook these pieces and sift through until I find ones that are straight.

 

Has anyone been successful in laying a piece like this on some blocks, curved side up, and clamping it down with a C clamp overnight to straighten it out?

 

I was tempted to do it, but I worry that even if it ended up straight, that it would have a tendancy to warp again after the neck was made.

 

 

[Bob Young]

I have used a table saw on thicker pieces and just cut it down to the proper thickness. If the wood is not properly seasoned it could continue to warp though.

[Skeesix]

There is a technique used for straightening guitar necks that's like you describe, but it also involves heat. I use some floodlights. Although an actual neck would also include a fingerboard glued on. So I'm not sure if the holding action is mainly due to the glue joint with the fingerboard being melted then recooling, or if the actual wood is being bent, or a little of both.

[ChickenboneJohn]

If it's bent it will tend to go back to that shape. If you rip it and glue it back together with the curves in opposition, or plane it true and glue a substantial fretboard on it, there's a fighting chance it will stay stable.

[Dan Sleep]

Thanks. So I am thinking I could temporarily straighten it out, then glue on a fingerboard that should hold it in shape. Maybe installing it with the concave side up, the string tension would help keep it straight?

Just thinking out loud here...