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When sanding the kerfings on the sides of the guitar do most of you sand the flat to the side edges of on the 1 degree and 5 degree angle , does it matter?

I assume (but don't like to) that you are talking about the curvature of the side edge before gluing the top or back on?



Not sure I understand what you are asking here. Could you try again please?

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yes, sanding the kerfing to match the arch of the back and top plate

I don't want to speak for anyone else, but from what I've read over the years, most people sand the rim set (side and linings) to the curvature of the back or top respectively. Most use what is commonly known as a radius dish. The dish is used to glue the braces onto the plate then used to sand that same radius onto the rim set prior to gluing.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I am sorry but I have to say this as a funny and to keep up tradition here (old joke)

It is hard to sand kerfling as a kerf is the void in kerf'ed linings so the kerfling is on the floor of the shop the kerfs were cut at

Now to answer your question. most of us use a dish for to the radius of the back or top radius to sand the lingings. This is not an ange but is a section ao a sphere. now yopu can sand an angle and this will work just fine. but most builders these day sand linings using a dish that matches the required back or top radius.

Yep, the lining, (whether it is kerfed or not kerfed), is typically sanded or somehow adjusted to match/conform to the arch of the top and back plates (in instruments that have arched plates).

Ah now I understand.

Reb here are two ways that you can do it but first the "kerf" is the void left behind by say a saw blade. "Kerfed Linings" are what we install on a guitar. I would not even bring this up but I once used the term "kerf" incorrectly and this fantastic Luthier came on the OLF and corrected me......

Radius dishes are commonly used to sand first the rim before installing the kerfed linings and then again after installing the kerfed linings 1/32 - 1/16" proud of the edge of the rim. It's easier to sand and profile the rim without the linings installed and then sand in the dish a second time with the linings installed just slightly proud.

Method 2 is to click on Stew-Mac's site and go to the guitar kit section. At the dreadnought page you can download for free the PDF file that is their kit instructions. In these instructions they detail how to make a sanding stick thing.... that will work for the two radius that you need for the top and back.

As Hesh said,you can make a radius stick out of 2x3 board.Trace the radius from your brace and cut out the radius.Then you can sand an put a strip of formica there and use self sticking sandpaper on the formica,and you will have the proper radius to sand your kerfed linings with.

I was thinking of selling some of my kerfling by the pound. I was thinking maybe $5 a pound anyone interested I have about 5 pounds in my dust collector ready to pack up and send out

Kerfling is not Kerf, its Kerf-lining

Kerflin-in g

Its an abreviation...

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I'm pretty sure it's merely a typo. It's kerfed lining, technically.

As my my high school English teacher would have noted if he heard or read it "kerfling or kerfing" used as a noun to describe kerfed linings is not an abbreviation it is just pure laziness. No harm meant towards anyone I just can hear his voice in my mind and got a laugh from it.

http://bluescreekguitars.com/blog/
this link will show you how and why we use the disks to true up the kerfed lining and sides.

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For me just as a full process.  I cut the rims/sides to a profile.  I then glue to blocks, sand the rims/sides in dish. I do this so rims are even after having been cut .  This also for me anyway allows when install kerfed lining to leave them proud of th rim and not sand to deep into the linging, leaving more of the top of kerfed lining for glue surface.  Once lining is installed, I then sand in dish.  If doing an archtop, the rims are same depth all around so do not do the initial rim sanding as noted and can use a flat plank or whatever call it to sand the kerfed lining flat for gluing surface
I know more than asked about, but thought someone never having done it before might have question on a process. I am sure other may disagree with the process and idea of cutting the sides to a profile and initial sanding as even needed. Just way taught and have done it in my and others shops and school.

So its lining that has been kerfed, you could say lining, but then they would think 'smooth'.

I vote for Kerfle, its even shorter.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
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I have a kerfed fretboard!

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
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Well I guess that's one more thing I'll remember.

Well I guess that's one more thing I'll remember.