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  #31  
Old 04-23-2018, 08:17 PM
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It's always a satisfying moment when woods begin to come together. Gluing the plates always seems like the official start.
So here goes:

IMG_1929.jpg

When the glue has set and cured, we take the top out of our gluing jig, dimension it to test specs, and then check it's numbers:

IMG_1930.jpg

That's right, we use an old Brazilian-handled #4 Bailey plane.
So, our standard of deflection is one plane-weight.
This is totally arbitrary, but we've been doing this from the start, so we have a book full of numbers from all our builds. It tells us at a glance how any given top compares to all others, and gives a starting point as we voice the top.

Thanks for looking,

Steve
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Last edited by Steve Kinnaird; 04-24-2018 at 07:29 AM.
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  #32  
Old 04-24-2018, 03:25 AM
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Great idea. Ive got one of those planes.
When you say you have a book full of numbers, i assume that means numbers at a given standard thickness. And then you continue to thin the top until you hit a number you feel works best. Are all the tops the same width when tested or do different models get trimmed to widths close to the lower bout of a partucular model
How does all that work out? There are a ton of variables.
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  #33  
Old 04-24-2018, 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird View Post
Great idea. Ive got one of those planes.
When you say you have a book full of numbers, i assume that means numbers at a given standard thickness. And then you continue to thin the top until you hit a number you feel works best. Are all the tops the same width when tested or do different models get trimmed to widths close to the lower bout of a partucular model
How does all that work out? There are a ton of variables.
Your assumptions are spot on. We DO dimension all our tops to the same length, width and thickness. That occasionally presents problems as you can imagine. But the goal is to give each top the same starting point, test its weight and deflection numbers, then we can compare those #'s to all other tops we've used. We really aren't working, then, to a certain target number per se, but use that initial info to guide in further thicknessing and then brace selection. You know we test our braces also, so stiffer braces go on floppier tops, and vice versa.
This simple testing (as well as the ever-fun tapping) gives up front info as to a top's usefulness as well. Is this top better for a dread...OM...parlor...? That sort of thing.
I hope that makes some sense...

Steve
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  #34  
Old 04-24-2018, 10:01 AM
Stevied63 Stevied63 is offline
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New pics! Awesome, guys! As I had seen the other pictures you had posted regarding decisions we had previously made, nice to see some new ones that I haven't seen. The build really feels like its started now!
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  #35  
Old 04-24-2018, 10:55 AM
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Ok! If it's new pics you like, try this one:

IMG_1824.jpg

When the glue dries, the assembled back is carefully removed from our jig. It will then be cleaned up, thicknessed, and prepped for the back inlay. Stay tuned...

Steve
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  #36  
Old 04-25-2018, 08:43 PM
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This next pic is a sheer delight. For years I have wanted to own a Bishop Cochran router base, and have told myself "one of these days...one of these days..." The delay was because the base alone costs about 3 times what the router itself costs. My Scottish heritage predisposes me to balk at such extravagance. Still, the reported super-accuracy called out to me. Well, you see here the stalemate has been resolved. Our shop is the proud owner of that lovely tool you see here thanks to a verrrrrry nice birthday gift from a verrrrrrry thoughtful friend. Ryan is here taking it for its maiden voyage on Steve Doyon's back:

IMG_1922.jpg

Can you see how stunned Ryan is? No skip, hop or wobble.
Just smoooooth sailing through that curly walnut.
Thanks for watching,

Steve
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  #37  
Old 04-25-2018, 09:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Kinnaird View Post
This next pic is a sheer delight. For years I have wanted to own a Bishop Cochran router base, and have told myself "one of these days...one of these days..." The delay was because the base alone costs about 3 times what the router itself costs. My Scottish heritage predisposes me to balk at such extravagance. Still, the reported super-accuracy called out to me. Well, you see here the stalemate has been resolved. Our shop is the proud owner of that lovely tool you see here thanks to a verrrrrry nice birthday gift from a verrrrrrry thoughtful friend. Ryan is here taking it for its maiden voyage on Steve Doyon's back:

Attachment 7814

Can you see how stunned Ryan is? No skip, hop or wobble.
Just smoooooth sailing through that curly walnut.
Thanks for watching,

Steve
While I have full confidence in Ryan’s steady hands, it’s nice to know we have technology on our side!
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  #38  
Old 04-25-2018, 09:27 PM
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Indeed it is! And here's a closer look at the base/router combo in full rosette mode:

IMG_1945.jpg

(Not Steve's guitar, but Ryan's new 00. He just couldn't resist trying this in a circle.)
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  #39  
Old 04-26-2018, 10:26 AM
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Love the new toy

Last edited by Codfather; 04-26-2018 at 10:27 AM. Reason: ......
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  #40  
Old 04-26-2018, 11:13 AM
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Yup, so do we. And with that toy we cut the channel for the back inlay, carefully tapped it into position, then glued that sucker in:

IMG_1924.jpg

Here is our bench top doing duty as a backing board, while a tape-covered straight edge applies clamping pressure.

When dried, the inlay is scraped flush, and we have something like this:

IMG_1948.jpg

That Kiaat will match the body bindings, and the bwb purfs will be mitered into the back purfling. This is a rather classically inspired approach, but with the alternative species used it gives a modern look. I believe Steve will be pleased.
Thanks for looking,

Steve
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  #41  
Old 04-26-2018, 11:13 AM
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Hey JJ thanks! How’s your guitar coming?
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  #42  
Old 04-26-2018, 12:26 PM
Stevied63 Stevied63 is offline
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Wow, the excitement level keeps ramping up! Looks beautiful, guys!
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  #43  
Old 04-27-2018, 08:09 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stevied63 View Post
Wow, the excitement level keeps ramping up! Looks beautiful, guys!


Hey, glad you like it Steve. So that previous picture had some shellac on it to protect the surface, and give a little pre-finish rush of adrenaline as the grain pops out. Here is the man:

IMG_1937.jpg

Now it gets flipped over, and the center seam reinforcement is glued on:

IMG_1943.jpg

Next, a tape protection is applied, and then a wee plane comes out to round the edges and refine the profile. We chose offcuts from the LS top to be the reinforcement material. It will be a cohesive look when glanced through the soundhole, and will be the priciest reinforcement we've used yet.

Thanks for watching along,

Steve
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  #44  
Old 04-27-2018, 08:11 PM
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Ooh, forgot the pic:

IMG_1952.jpg
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  #45  
Old 04-27-2018, 08:20 PM
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Smile khat and Walnut...

Wow that is pretty!

And congrats on the new router base. As Mr. Natural famously said:

"Always use the right tool for the job!"

This one must be the right tool!

Have fun

Paul
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