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I just finished glueing binding/purfling on my first build and removed the tape yesterday. It turned out ok, but certainly has room for improvement.

So how do you level the binding/purfling? The purfling stands more proud in the transition area from the lower bout to the waist. Live and learn but I also inadvertantly thinned the top slightly in an area about 1" long while attempting to clean up the purfling channel.

So can I sand everything level and then be able to remove the scratch pattern from the Ivaroid and Herringbone? If so, what grit(s) should I use? I've tried scraping but it is taking a bit of work and not sure I have a great edge on the scraper. Also, at the bottom of the lower bout it seems the scraper was rounding over the Ivaroid binding too far as the scraper came off the surface. I tried sanding some and the rosewood dust has turned the white in the B/W stips dark. Will that clean up OK? what should I use to clean it up.

So far I've only worked on the back. After I read your suggestions and get that figured out I'll start work on the top.

Thanks!

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Scraper is a common method for this. Are you quite sure it is sharp enough?

I use a block plane, then scraper.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I second what Colin said. I used a small block plane to get rid of most of the excess, and then level everything out with a scraper. Use sandpaper to round the edges of the binding.

I third it! Sometimes, tape over the inside of the plane that rides on the top is a good protection from taking a chunk out of the top. But, if you are careful, you won't catch it.

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Waddy

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I've been using disposable razor blades for this (as scrapers). Doesn't go as fast as with a bigger scraper, but pretty easy to control.

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Evan McCartney

Block plane and scraper also.
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

The block plane followed by the scraper sounds like a good plan. How about the dark rosewood dust that is on the Ivaroid binding and B/W purfling from sanding.......what's the best way to clean that off?

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Compressed air or a final scraping works for me.

be careful when using your very sharp plane on your binding that you don't tip it a little, and go around the whole guitar, accidently taking nicks of your sides, as you make your way around the whole guitar. of course, I've never done this before, ...

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"...you have to get over your strict adherence to your largely imagined notion of absolute perfection..."

I use a medium rasp/file to level the binding/purfling with the top and back and then a very sharp Swedish carving knife (held with the blade at 90 degress to the surface) used as a scraper to level the binding around the sides.
The knife handle allows better control of the blade angle as well as the curve of the blade allows very fine placement of the area that is actually worked.