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Question about too thin sides -
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Author:  John A [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Question about too thin sides -
ugh. [headinwall] ... in the process of thinning maple sides, I manged to make some parts of my side too thin. Actually just about a length of 3 inches on one side of my side is too thin. Most of my side is between .083 and .087 - .09 -- but there is a dip on one of the edges, about 3 inches long that goes down to .077 and then down to .073.
I still have to sand that side smooth, with my palm sheet sander.

This is my first set of sides I am thinning - on my first guitar. It is a classical. It also happens that I am building a walnut classical at the same time. So the maple guitar is more of a building practice guitar. But I also want it to turn out well. I have learned my lesson so I can apply to the walnut sides.

Should I give up on this set of sides ? I can get some more maple and resaw myself another set of sides on Monday. But then I have to wait for it to acclimate to my shop. In the mean time I can progress with my walnut guitar. But I was hoping to bend the maple soon and then begin on the walnut thinning and jointing and bending next week. Are my maple sides to thin ? I am worried that when I cut space for the binding in that area - it will be really thin, as my thin spot is on the edge, although the binding will be on the otherside to help reinforce.

I have some nice tops from Shane and I don't want to spoil it with bad sides either.

thanks !
Author:  Brock Poling [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
No, you will be ok with these. Keep going.
Author:  Mike Lindstrom [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
You should be fine, but make a note of where the thin spot is. You really don't want to discover it when you're sanding your sides flush to your bindings.

Mike
Author:  Tom West [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
Sounds like you have not bent them yet...? If no major ripple happens you should be fine. folks have built with sides thinner then yours. Good luck.
Tom
Author:  Mark Groza [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
You should be fine with that.I would just not use much water when bending to avoid ripples which could cause a problem when final sanding.I like my figured maple thinner than most woods for bending anyway.
Author:  L. Presnall [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
Martin built with sides as thin or thinner for years...don't know about now, but those guitars are still around! [:Y:] As has already been said, just remember the thin area and be careful scraping and sanding there! :shock:
Author:  Todd Rose [ Sat Feb 20, 2010 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Question about too thin sides -
It is common to rout all the way through the sides and into the linings, at least in some spots, when routing for bindings. Not a problem. As others have said, as long as you're careful, you should be fine with that thickness. I'm just finishing up two guitars where I started with the sides under .070", because my new body shape has an extremely tight waist.

When you rout for the bindings, make sure the bindings will be proud of the sides by a smidge, then carefully scrape/sand them flush to the sides. Be very careful with all sanding of the sides. You can press with a finger on the sides to feel if they seem to be getting dangerously thin as you work. If they do get very thin in a spot, you could glue a piece of veneer on the inside to reinforce it. Even if you do sand all the way through somewhere (not likely if you're careful), you can usually glue a piece of matching wood on from the inside and make it look good - not something you'd do if you're working at a professional level, but for a first guitar, a workable solution.
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