Extremely Tight Pocket

[Bdam123]

Is 55% relative humidity enough to swell a pocket to the point of an impossible fit? I've cleared away all paint and I'm just really trying not to sand wood unless I absolutely have to. The neck I'm using is roasted so I'm assuming it isn't going to budge in my direction. Will waiting for winter time to come when the humidity is down to about 35% get these things to match or do I really have to consider sanding?

 

[supertruper1988]

well everything is a tolerance so if you have two pieces on the extremes then you may need to sand a little. a painted body is not likely to swell that much the unfinished neck may swell some but roasted woods are supposed to be way more stable in that regard.
I would wait it out if you can for lower humidity but be prepared to sand just a little.

 

[Strat Avenger]

All you have to do is lightly sand the sides of the neck (where is goes into the pocket) with some 320 grit.
It'll drop right in. Just go in increments so you don't take too much off.

 

[Bdam123]

I measured the heel (56.1 mm) and the neck pocket (55.68 mm) at their widest. Is 0.42 mm too much to ask for from humidity alone?

 

[Spud]

Often times going up one pant size can alleviate this.

 

[Strat Avenger]

It's not from humidity. It's just the tolerance of the routing. Does your neck have a finish? If so, that can be the difference.
I had the same issue with my gold Strat and unfinished roasted maple neck. It was an easy fix. Just some light sanding with 320.

 

[FranzKappa]

I always just make a few gentle strokes with sandpaper left and right until I have the feeling I don't have to really really force it to hard into the pocket. Should still be tight and with resistance. Don't overdo it and bottom first when setting the neck!

 

[Bdam123]

It's not from humidity. It's just the tolerance of the routing. Does your neck have a finish? If so, that can be the difference.
I had the same issue with my gold Strat and unfinished roasted maple neck. It was an easy fix. Just some light sanding with 320.

No finish on the neck

 

[Tretgeraet]

0.42mm difference sounds too much for humidity, but it also sounds too much for "tolerance", if body and neck are from the same manufacturer.

Are they from the same manufacturer?

It's always useful in a forum to give as much information as possible, maybe even some photos.

 

[Strat Avenger]

0.42mm is less than half a millimeter.

 

[Tretgeraet]

0.42mm is less than half a millimeter.

I know, in my world that's a lot

When I'm measuring/calibrating tools for our CNC, I consider +-0,05mm sloppy, +-0,02mm acceptable and +-0,01 good.

I admit that I have to be a little more picky, since I teach on that machine, but generally for furniture carpentry, or joinery in Germany, 0,1mm is the aimed tolerance/accuracy for single parts.

That means in my world, half a millimeter is waaaay off.

But also; I bet the tolerances on all four necks I bought from Warmoth so far wouldn't amount to half a millimeter combined... it just seems too much.

 

[aarontunes]

All you have to do is lightly sand the sides of the neck (where is goes into the pocket) with some 320 grit.
It'll drop right in. Just go in increments so you don't take too much off.

It's not from humidity. It's just the tolerance of the routing.

Yep, and yep. Just sand the pocket back slowly until the neck drops in.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I know, in my world that's a lot

When I'm measuring/calibrating tools for our CNC, I consider +-0,05mm sloppy, +-0,02mm acceptable and +-0,01 good.

I admit that I have to be a little more picky, since I teach on that machine, but generally for furniture carpentry, or joinery in Germany, 0,1mm is the aimed tolerance/accuracy for single parts.

That means in my world, half a millimeter is waaaay off.

But also; I bet the tolerances on all four necks I bought from Warmoth so far wouldn't amount to half a millimeter combined... it just seems too much.

I think the measurements should be re'checked.