Official Luthiers Forum!

Some time I ago, I had glued a fretboard extension with fish glue and then realized I had to remove it. I had no idea what to do so I posted my dilemma on the forum. Got some thoughful responses about the use of heat and water. Almost universal agreement that water was a no go.
So I decided to do a little experiment. To see if fish glue would release with heat and how much was needed. So I glued two pieces of maple together with fish glue and clamped, then let it cure for the last couple of weeks. Today , I decided to try and separate the pieces. Here's the results with pics.

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Under Compensated Nut!

the setup:

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Under Compensated Nut!

aluminum foil, iron, and high heat

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Under Compensated Nut!

As you can see in the two following pics, the pieces separately cleanly, but with considerable scorching of the maple thru the foil. The heat was applied for 5 consecutive minutes and the iron was set on maximum. But the pieces easily separated with a untility knife blade. ( box cutter for some I guess.)

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Under Compensated Nut!

two pics

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Under Compensated Nut!

Well there you go!

A picture is worth 1,000 words (as they say)

I don't use Finsh Glue but if I ever do I know how to remove it.

Cheers,
Bob

I use fish glue a great deal
actually you will find that fish glue will release fairly cleanly at about 150F. I use heat blankets with controls , set o full for about 3 min then dial in the temp setting at 200F. I do use a little water with the heat.
Your scorch was just too much heat but you did prove that it will release .

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it