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Can anyone tell me how to rope bindings? It sounds so simple, but I just can't seem to do it! Do you start at the waist and work down? How do you rope the ends without it slipping off? I've got 50m of rope and even that doesn't seem to be enough How do you do it in time before the glue sets? I'm using titebond original.

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This is the fastest I've seen anyone do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIVb3N6mfWA

It's one of the Guitar 'factories' in or near Valencia. Not much longer than 3 minutes but then again he's probably done thousands of binding jobs.
The binding probably consists of two veneers that are from the same cut, hence why it's so flexible. Still impressive though.
I used the method many years ago with HHG. I'd rope and heat through as I went along. I never got really comfortable with it. A few years ago I tried it with Fish glue and that was no better, so it wasn't the open time. I just went back to tape, which I find pretty straightforward.

Peter: Rope binding is the only way I have ever installed binding. Do it one quarter at a time and tape reject binding pieces in the other 3 quarters. I leave these about 1/4 " or so short on both ends. Binding is started length wise on the box, doing the large bout first on to the waist and then the upper bout. I use titebond type glue and apply glue for about 1/3 of the length ,bind that ,apply glue for next third and so on. Have never tried it the way shown in video and would never do so, certainly not skilled enough here.
Tom

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I go back and forth between tape and roping but I used to rope the binding all the time. I will still do it with thick bindings if the bend is not 100% perfect and it needs just a bit more force. Thin bindings like in that video I would just tape.

Having said that, you need to use a cotton rope like sash cord. Nylon rope will slip right off. The rope I use is cotton and it's flat and about 3/4in wide so it stays put.

Twill tape works well. Cheap and flat. I also use tape which also works well. Don't use strong adhesive tape though as it will pull top fibers. I had to install binding on an antique guitar. That's when I used twill tape as the adhesive pulled up the antique finish.


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Here's another video of roping bindings
Bernd Martin is using hide glue and the rope he's using appears to be much thinner
Its 5 mins into this video on utube ....

Guitar Secrets 3 Glues Romanillos PRS Thompson GOURMET GUITARS

Hope this helps
Tom

I use stretch tape.

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Watch Robbie O'Brien's video: "Install Bindings and Purflings" at the LMII Tutorial Videos.

http://www.lmii.com/tutorial-videos/page-2


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