Can you plane Richlite?

It’s extremely stable, I’ve had no issues with planing or routing. The dust produced from sanding is very fine and (just like Ebony) can be a pain for getting trapped in the end grain of Maple, etc.

How do you maintain a Richlite fingerboard?

Richlite is a durable product requiring no special conditioning or cleaning products. Richlite will not corrode from or absorb oils, perspiration or dirt. Wipe clean with a soft cloth, if necessary.

Can you oil a Richlite fingerboard?

Applying a small amount of mineral oil will do the trick if even needed, and you won’t have to do it as often as RW or ebony.

What is a Richlite fingerboard?

Richlite’s fretboards are an acoustically superior product and the perfect alternative ebony fretboard. Our fretboards are durable, and moisture acclimated, making them inherently stable. Richlite has numerous advantages for the maker, manufacturer, or player of stringed instruments.

How can you tell ebony from Richlite?

Richlite has no porosity to it as it’s essentially a black resin plastic with paper in it, which can make it feel a bit artificial and plasticy (because that’s what it is). Ebony tends to have some pretty small pores throughout and has a slightly oilier texture.

Is Richlite the same as Micarta?

Richlite is basically Micarta. It’s a synthetic, very hard plastic material with some of the properties of wood. I’ve only had one guitar with Micarta – the 000CXE. I actually inlaid the fretboard myself, and it worked just like wood… about the same consistency.

What is Richlite made out of?

paper
Richlite is an incredibly durable material made from paper, ideal for a variety of uses. Developed over 70 years ago for industrial tooling, Richlite has evolved into a premium surface material used by aerospace, extreme sports, marine, food prep and the architecture and design community.

Does Richlite need to be oiled?

There is no need for oiling the fretboard though since the Richlite isn’t a material that absorbs oils. If you apply moisturizing oils to a Richlite fretboard, you will likely see there’s quite a bit of material left to wipe off after a few minutes.

Is Richlite better than ebony?

Sure, ebony wood is not in scarcity. But Richlite is made from recycled paper. If you have environmental concerns about the impact of your instrument, Richlite may be the better choice. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal choice.

How can you tell a ebony from a fingerboard?

Replies (7) September 20, 2005 at 05:43 AM · peek under the fingerboard to tell if it’s ebony, it will have wood color showing through the sides and bottom if it’s stained or painted.

Is Richlite real wood?

Richlite is basically Micarta. It’s a synthetic, very hard plastic material with some of the properties of wood.

What is certified Richlite?

Richlite is an FSC® certified product, made from post-consumer recycled paper. Sheets of paper are stacked up and saturated with a phenolic resin, then heat and pressure are applied. The resin then thermosets permanently with zero off-gassing. Learn more about how Richlite is made.

Is Richlite a good alternative to Ebony?

It is primarily used for kitchen counter tops, however it has recently become popular among luthiers who are trying to find a good alternative to Ebony and Rosewood. Richlite is an extremely dense product and is perfect for fingerboard application.

Is Richlite a good finish for fingerboards?

Richlite is an extremely dense product and is perfect for fingerboard application. When sanded and polished with steel wool, black richlite looks and feels just like ebony. 17 and 22 slotted 26.1875″, and 25.34″ scale are available as well as un-slotted blanks.

What kind of glue do you use for a banjo?

We recommend using a polyurethane glue adhesive when attaching to your banjo project. Don’t forget your Peg Head Veneer! Category: Fingerboards and Veneers. Adhesion: The manufacture of Richlite recommends using Epoxy for bonding to wood however in our testing, we have found that a polyurethane glue such as Gorilla Glue works best.

What scale should I use for my banjo?

When sanded and polished with steel wool, black richlite looks and feels just like ebony. 22 slotted 26.1875″, and 25.34″ scale are available as well as un-slotted blanks. We recommend using a polyurethane glue adhesive when attaching to your banjo project.