Here we go again! If you do not already know, this build is going to have a double-side construction both in THE TREE! The inner layer is of a lightly quilted figure, though I doubt that would matter much since it would go unseen.
Here the sides are receiving a super soft treatment via veneer softener which relaxes the wood's figure and allows you to bend highly figured woods with a lower probability of fracturing. When bending the Tree, you want to take every measure possible to ensure success. A broken side on an average build is very disappointing, while a broken side on a Tree build is devastating!
Next is the most stressful part, the actual bending of the sides! God knows how many shots of tequila Joel had to take before he had the nerves to undertake such a task
Fortunately, no broken sides, nor fractures! The bends were nice and clean with no flat spots. PHEW!
Epoxy is then applied for the joining of the double sides. Joel has tried a number of adhesives for laminated sides and have settled on epoxy for now as it dries nice and hard without adding water to the process, which can increase the chance of woods doing odd things during gluing and drying.
Here is Joel's jig for forming the sides which he had spent a LONG time perfecting, allowing him to use only 8 clamps vs the 101 before!
And finally, the finished rim! It is important for the rims to hold their shape with zero tension so as to not affect the sound board when the box is closed. This is exactly what the double sides aim to do, acting as a solid rim to support the front and back vibrating plates.
