Removing a mandolin fret board
There have been a few threads on this in the past but probably not as many as one would think given that it must be something performed on a fairly regular basis?
To cut to the chase here, most of the threads you find by just searching "remove fret board" describe modifications of a method which is probably (I'm guessing) the most common approach i.e., putting a hot clothing iron on the frets and then working a heated putty knife or some other flat blade between the neck and the fret board.
However. since most binding is plastic it probably means in most cases that removing the fret board binding first is highly recommended.
However, one modification that was described in one of the past threads called for laying a wet cloth (like a wash cloth) on the board and putting the hot iron on the cloth. This give two advantages according to the person who recommended it:
1) the water helps transfer the heat more evenly/effectively and 2) the damp cloth protects the binding and eliminates the need to remove it first.
The individual who posted this suggestion has not posted in the last 10 years so I assume he/she has left the board or no longer follows it?
Anyone out there use this approach to remove a mandolin fret board? The fret board I have in mind is one that is probably glued with either hot hide glue or titebond.
Bernie
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Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.
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