Sexauer ‘19, chapter 1 - Page 9

Bruce Sexauer · #**121** 03-22-2019, 02:20 PM

The quartered "Tree" is not what most people think of though it is stronger and more stable. This OMish is the tortoise quilt "Tree", and while very beautiful, was a great deal more trouble for me to bend and never mind a cutaway. Many builders will only use it with laminated sides, which is of little interest to me.

I am binding this guitar with Amazon Rosewood (Dalbergia Spruceana) and purfling it with my standard package: b/w/b/.034" flamed maple/b/w/b on top and b/.034" Flame maple/b on the sides and back. b is .010" black fiber, and w is .010" maple.

I use cord for attaching (literally "Binding") the binding because, of the methods I am aware of, it is the only one capable of creating the clamping pressure PVA glue needs to achieve anything like its full strength. Masking tape isn't even close.

Here is the first of four binding/purfling applications:

Bruce Sexauer · #**122** 03-22-2019, 03:58 PM

. . . later that same day (today!):

TomB'sox · #**123** 03-22-2019, 04:15 PM

So athough it needs good pressure, it must bond pretty quickly! Not like in wood shop with elmers wood glue that took 24 hours lol!

Bruce Sexauer · #**124** 03-22-2019, 07:33 PM

I don't often get all the binding on in one day, but I did this time.

Bruce Sexauer · #**125** 03-22-2019, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

So athough it needs good pressure, it must bond pretty quickly! Not like in wood shop with elmers wood glue that took 24 hours lol!

In woodshop you probably didn't have your next class for 24 hours, and getting anything done in one hour didn't give you another 45 minutes that is what is actually required before removing the clamps, if you have a great fit. Binding is not really a great fit, at least from my POV, and I leave it in the clamps for an hour and a half.

PVA glue is said to have something like 2/3 of it full strength in around an hour, 90% in a few hours, and virtually all of it in 24. I don't remember the actual statistics, but it is something like that. The quality of the fit is super important as the wood should be it contact and there should be very little glue involved. Clamping pressure should be around 50 lb per square inch. It's been a good many years since I learned this stuff and and it has become second nature even though the actual stats have faded. My original source was manufacturer's data published in trade journals. Dry reading, to say the least.

It's 6:40 pm at the moment, and I just put the fourth quarter of the binding on, which means that since I'm due for dinner at 7:30 I won't be taking the cord off till tomorrow. Not unlike I imagine woodshop was for you.

Bruce Sexauer · #**126** 03-23-2019, 12:03 PM

the "Tree" OMish is bound and gagged, and the sun is shining on my front porch today.

cigarfan · #**127** 03-23-2019, 01:13 PM

Love the Tree! Especially the turtle shell figure. Hope jmat will let me try it next time I’m over.

jmat · #**128** 03-23-2019, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Love the Tree! Especially the turtle shell figure. Hope jmat will let me try it next time I’m over.

Hi D - Alas my Sexauer is not the fancy turtle patterned one but rather the quartered one. That said, you are welcomed to play any and all guitars that I own!

Bruce Sexauer · #**129** 03-23-2019, 03:14 PM

From my POV, Jmat's guitar is the better wood choice, but I am more into the structural end than the emotional impact end.

And speaking of emotional impact, check out the graphtics:

amohr · #**130** 03-23-2019, 05:42 PM

That'll be nice with a few coats of Ace Varnish

Bruce Sexauer · #**131** 03-24-2019, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohr

That'll be nice with a few coats of Ace Varnish

Someone’s paying attention!

Gklong · #**132** 03-24-2019, 09:58 AM

From a rattle can at 34’ would do the trick.

Bruce Sexauer · #**133** 03-24-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gklong

From a rattle can at 34’ would do the trick.

Welcome to the forum! A rattle can from from 34' would be a (Gk)long shot and probably would break this fragile critter, if it connected. Only the owner/commissioner would be allowed to do this w/o suffering prosecution. Or even think of it.

My wife is at the Bernie rally in SF today, so I am doing a bit of work. Because I can. I am about to install the headstock purfling into the faceplate.

Bruce Sexauer · #**134** 03-25-2019, 12:04 PM

Yesterday I made a fingerboard and did the heavy lifting part of making the neck for Gklong's (surely you figured that out?) OM. Today, with luck (I have an optometrist appointment in an hour) I will complete the shaping.

Bruce Sexauer · #**135** 03-25-2019, 04:08 PM

UPS came a few minutes ago and I got about 55 pounds of Red Spruce that Matt Hampton sent me. I haven't met him yet, but took a chance based on John Arnold's ongoing support. I got a couple of tops, just to see what he'd send, but most importantly I refilled my bracewood locker as I didn't seem to have enough to get me through. Probably will now.

This material is split stock, which I have done for myself over the years, but if one orders brace wood from a vendor getting this kind af attention to detail is a real crap shoot. I can honestly say I have never been sent better bracing material in my entire career. By a lot. He also sent two tops, one from either end of the spectrum he offers. Both appear extremely well quartered, and one has some color, while the other has very little, for red spruce. I do tend to use my best spruce before my merely perfectly adequate material, and as far as I can see, this better top is currently the best American Red spruce I have on hand.