Spanish Heel Side Slots

[Allen]

Achieving a perfectly fitting neck to body join is dead easy with the Spanish Heel design. Here's how I cut the critical part where the sides join the neck.

https://youtu.be/rjcl2IjbCSM

[kiwinoz62]

Allen,
Nice one, simple & effective.

[Bruce McC]

Hi Allen

Thank you for posting the video, just one question. Is the saw blade set at 90 deg,
or is the slope of the cut created by the peghead in the cross cut box?

[Allen]

The blade is set at 7 degrees to match the slope shoulders on my body shape. You would need to work out the angle to use for your design.

Too many designs use a flat area where the neck joins the body just so as to make using a dovetail or bolt on easy to do. It works in that respect, but I think at the expense of some elegance.

The offset created by the peg head veneer adds about 1/2 to 1 degree set to the neck. I build with a dome in the lower bout, so a little neck set is good.

[Steve.Toscano]

Nice.

I was thinking- gee the size of the heel inside the box looks small (not much glueing area), then i realised it was a uke neck.

[Allen]

I see some plans and builders using a massive neck bock on ukes just like those found in guitars. Way overkill for something this small.

[Petecane]

Good vid!
Many thanks.
My saw blade is 2.5mm thick so I can use thin wedges a la Spanish heel.
This method for Uke necks is the way to go.
I have just lashed out on a Makita table saw so new horizons are now open to me.
I also saw the Pablo vid how he does a Spanish heel.
A bit more goes into it than I thought with the shaping of the wedges etc.
Was all done by hand.
Love to see lutherie like this as it inspires me.
Thanks again.
Pete

[Allen]

You can pickup a thin kerf blade from Bunnings that will cut 1.7 - 1.8mm. I used one that is designed for the battery operated saws that trim carpenters use. Just 6" diameter, but that's all that is required. Way easier than trying to get wedges to fit correctly.

[Petecane]

Thanks Allen.
Good old Bunnings!
I will get one
Cheers
Pete