I've been asked a few times about how I join the top and back plates of my guitars, so I took a snap of one I did this avey.
Australian Red Cedar top that has a few flaws but they are either outside the body shape or will be easy enough to hide.
Anyway, I use a shooting board and a small block plane to get the edges light tight. I'm getting better at it, and this one took 12 minutes. I prop both outside edges up and then stretch some tape across the joint. When the top is forced down flat, the tape pulls the joint together nice and tight.
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Get the hide glue nice and warm then close the two halves up like a book, with the tape to the inside. Spread glue on the edges, then lay the two halves down on a marble slab. Give the squeeze out a quick wipe off and then lay another piece of marble on top. Simple as
Note that I've got some sandwich wrap on the bottom side to I don't glue the top to the marble, and have some packing tape on the uppermost slab for the same reason.
I picked up the marble from the local tip shop. They've got heaps of off cuts from kitchen manufacturers. Only cost a couple of bucks and they're handy for all kinds of things in the shop.
You pros with dozens of instruments under your belts probably have a method that works better, but newbies might want to give this way a go.
Glueing up a Australian cedar top.
Good Show Allen!
Good show Allen and I got a chuckle out of your thread because I do this exactly the same way that you do M8.
I completely agree that the tape method is great and it also is quick and easy for joining book matched head plates and rosette blanks.
I like the marble idea and should check into the availability of some pieces here.
BTW I have a Spanish tourniquet jig, the same jig that LMI uses to join hundreds of plates for customers, and the tape method is easier and more reliable IMHO.
I completely agree that the tape method is great and it also is quick and easy for joining book matched head plates and rosette blanks.
I like the marble idea and should check into the availability of some pieces here.
BTW I have a Spanish tourniquet jig, the same jig that LMI uses to join hundreds of plates for customers, and the tape method is easier and more reliable IMHO.
- sebastiaan56
- Blackwood
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- Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:23 am
- Location: Blue Mountains
What's the rush Paul? Gotta move to Queensland. Nothin' happens fast up here. I gotta have time to knock the froth of a XXXX and admire my work.Paul B wrote:I use tape on both sides, then just stand them up against a wall or whatever til they dry. That way you can do the back or another top at the same time.
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