I am jumping in, not for any advise, just my thoughts on the neck joint. I have built 12 mandolins all with dovetails. I use a bandsaw, chisels, files,ect. I don't know why, but I can not find a easy way to get that dovetail consistant. In fact over the years it has turned into the one part of the process I dread now.
I have never tried Rogers dowel joint, but I saw a video on youtube of John Sullivan (rip) doing the Siminoff joint with no dowels, and it looked so simple, and everyone says the alingment, string angle is alway perfect, using that jig for gluing.
So, I have told myself, when I get my new shop built, I am going to try the Siminoff joint. The reason I have not tried it, is because I have looked at the dovetail as something I need to perfect and changing would be defeat! Well, I have no pride on this issue, I know when I licked, that dovetail has beat me up too many times, I am going to wave the white flag and try something new!
I agree with John the dovetail is a perfect joint the way it works is genius, (when done right) I either need someone to coach me on a different way to get a good dovetail (everytime) or change. With me it hit and miss with the dovetail, and I can't afford to start a neck over, but I have, and the time waste is horrible, yet has to be done if you have a bad joint.
Just my thoughts! I've made some perfect fit dovetails, and have ruined a few necks. If the Siminoff joint is simple always the right pitch and holds, sign me up! JD
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