Need help to remove boomer inlay without breaking it

[jamminpete]

Hello,

I need to fix an issue with my fretboard on my USA cali.  I have to remove one of the inlays without breaking it.  What's the best way to do this?  Hot air? A few drops of acetone?  The inlay has to be removed without breaking it.  Does anyone know what type of glue they used and what thickness I should expect it to be?  The board is ebony.

Thanks

[joshoowah]

Because shell (assuming it's actually real MOP or abalone) is non-porous, it's most often affixed with either cyanoacrylate (superglue) or an epoxy. I don't know what Hamer was using for inlay adhesive, so can't advise on the right chemicals to free it up, but if it isn't a shrunken piece of plastic, like an old Gibson trapezoid, removing it without damage to it or the cavity edges will be tough. I successfully did a trapezoid removal/reglue by drilling a tiny hole at a slight angle next to the inlay to allow the solvent (acetone worked in that case) to penetrate and give me a spot to pop it up from without touching the edge of the wood channel. It's important to give the whole perimeter of the inlay/fingerboard surface acetone, too, so you don't end up tearing up wood grain around the edge when the bottom releases and you try to pop it up. Thankfully, it was in ebony, like yours, so easy to fill and hide that pin hole later on with a bit of ebony dust mixed with glue and a small plug at the surface.

That said, it's best to take very careful tracings and rubbings of the inlay first, just to make sure you have an accurate template to cut a replacement if it cracks in removal. Superglue can be uncooperative and epoxy virtually impossible, so be prepared for it to fight you. The wood channel is harder to fix if you mangle it than cutting a new piece of shell if it cracks, but prep, patience and a steady hand are the most important tools for this anxiety-inducing task.

Most inlay material is between 1/32" (0.03125) and 1/16" (0.0625) thick. 0.050" is the most common size for genuine solid shell blanks, and my guess is that's how thick it will be.

[tbonesullivan]

Is there any "space" around the inlay that looks like glue? Even with the best cutting they usually leave a little wiggle room, and use colored glue, sometimes mixed with wood powder, to hold it in place. I would put some acetone on the border and see if you can get any glue to dissolve.

Now, a problem is going to be that acetone will get into the ebony and instantly dissolve any and all oils in there. It's nasty stuff.

[jamminpete]

1 hour ago, tbonesullivan said:

Is there any "space" around the inlay that looks like glue? Even with the best cutting they usually leave a little wiggle room, and use colored glue, sometimes mixed with wood powder, to hold it in place. I would put some acetone on the border and see if you can get any glue to dissolve.

Now, a problem is going to be that acetone will get into the ebony and instantly dissolve any and all oils in there. It's nasty stuff.

Yes looking under a magnifier there is space around the inlay that has been filled with black glue.  I suppose I could drip some acetone into that to soften it up.  I could oil the fretboard when I'm done.  Ill probably try that first.

 

Thanks

[killerteddybear]

What about trying moist/dry heat before you break out the chemicals?

 

[jamminpete]

2 hours ago, killerteddybear said:

What about trying moist/dry heat before you break out the chemicals?

 

Good idea.  I thought about hot air but I will try a little steam.  That might loosen it.

Thanks

[hamerhead]

Instead of prying, maybe use tape (or something similar) to lift the inlay straight up out of the hole without doing any damage. I don't know if that's possible or even a thing, but it's worth a try?

[Carl.B]

What's the fretboard problem that you have to remove the boomer inlay? Can you post a picture of what you are trying to fix? 

Make sure you condition the fretboard above and below the inlay you are trying to remove. 

Does your wife/gf have a steam curling iron you can use to rollover the fret in question or you could use this guy's idea? 

 

[Hbom]

Swiss army knife to the rescue!

[cmatthes]

Nothing a bottle of Tequila and an X-Acto knife won't fix...