Side Crack Procedure: open and closed cracks

[funkymonk#9]

I have done a fair amount of due diligence in researching crack repair and different techniques for repairing.
What sometimes i find missing is the order of gluing cracks and cleats, that is if cleats are mandatory.

However you bring the wood to its desired position, i would like a general consensus from the experienced here.
At which point do you make the crack level and glue?
Let's assume all other remedies have been used aka humidity.
Generally do you glue crack and level with cauls before cleating or cleat first perhaps if the crack is open to level first?

And as an aside, how often do you use magnets to bring wood together?

Closed Cracks: Top and Back
Within reach/out of reach

Open Cracks: Top and Back
Within reach/out of reach

Closed Cracks: Side

Open Cracks: Side

[Ned Milburn]

The crack must be glued before cleats are installed - if cleats are indeed to be used.

[David Farmer]

Clamps on all top cracks unless the sound hole is to small (soprano Uke for example), Magnets on all others.

[Howard Klepper]

Cleats can be used to bring the sides of the crack level; in those cases you do it all at once.

[H165]

As noted - 1. cracks 2. cleats.

If all the customer wanted was fast, cheap, and accurate, we sometimes used an ordinary guitar tuner and a .009" E string to make a side clamp:

Make the two plywood caul-blocks, center-drilled with .012" holes. Pass the string thru inside block. Put string and block assembly inside guitar. Pass string from inside of crack to outside of crack (if planning an inside cleat, the cleat can also be threaded on the string before passing through the wood, but you must then add glue at this time). Orient the inside block. Pass string thru second block with mounted tuner. Pass string thru tuner post. Position outside block. Wind string on tuner until crack pulled flush (trapped between blocks). Glue. (If gluing during clamping, protect with wax paper). When glue is cured, unwind string, pull string through the .010 hole in the glued surface, remove the whole clamp assembly. Fill the .010" hole. Keeps the blocks SMALL or you will not be able to inject glue where you need it.

[mirwa]

Tuner clamps are great for darker woods, I find on spruce or maple they are a bad choice as the small hole even though it's 9 thou really really stands out.

Steve