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Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Dent in finish.

I have dented the finish in the soundboard of one of my current builds while trying to clean up glue squeeze out after clamping on the bridge. I used a long piece of binding and I guess I held it at a bad angle and there you go. This is only my third guitar build and have steamed out countless dents already in unfinished wood, but I am unsure what to do to get out this dent in the finish other than sand it back at the dent and rebuild f…

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Private member
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback, both of you!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

MacRostie Binding Trimmer

I don’t know how many of you make your own binding and purfling, but the MacRostie Binding Trimmer from Stewmac is super helpful in a number of ways. 1. Allows you to make a lot of binding and purfling and have it all sized the same within a few thousandths. 2. I use vulcanized fiber and cut the strips using a utility knife which leaves a kind of burr on edge. Running the laminated fiber/wood or just fiber strips through the trimmer remov…

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Private member
Someone gave me one, I just made a bunch of binding and forgot that I have it. I will try it for my next batch.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Headstock binding

Hey guys, Trying my first bound headstocks and need some advice on how to approach it once I get to my nut area. I usually shape the headstock with a template and leave about 1/8” before the nut untouched so don’t roll the shape I to the nut slot area(aka a bad time). How do you all approach this process and specifically the nut slot area. I’ve attached some photos so you can see what I mean. Veneer on headstock is about 2mm. Neck is lig…

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Private member
Hey. Not sure if you are familiar with Tom Bills. He's a builder who has an online learning resource called Luthier's Edge. I'm not shilling for him, but has an online course specifically on binding t…
Private member DiscussionTools and Jigs

Homemade Gramil

This is my second iteration of a gramil that can be used to fully cut the channels for binding and purfling as opposed to using an electric router. I am working on my first acoustic now but initial tests look promising. Features round beam so you can lightly scratch at first like a marking gauge. Depth control of the exacto hobby #11 blade. The edge for the beam is also shaped so it won't pop out like other wedges. Pretty quick to make…

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Ian Davlin
Really cool!
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Tinted binding steps.

This guitar will have a piano black finish on most of it and translucent black over the red fabric areas. The client also wants the white binding to be aged. I will be sealing and grain filling with a polyester sealer. My thinking is to tint the first coal of sealer to age the binding , then seal over it with clear. Then tape off binding while spraying color coats. Anyone got an easier way? Suggestions?

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Ian Davlin
Cool!
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Celluloid Binding sources....

Where Does everyone source their binding from? I really would like to cut down on my binding labor, so finding celluloid binding and purfling long enough to wrap around Dread bodies is ideal!!

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For the sake of future generations, I buy my celluloid binding from Rothco and Frost in the UK. Good product, reasonable cost, and shipping cost has been comparable to STANDARD US shipping. Search: 6…