Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello!

I have a question that I think I know the answer to but as a newbie, I never assume I know anything.

I have a mold and template that say they are based on the same plans but from different sources. When I put the template over the mold it didn't match except in the waste (see pics). I assume this is not correct and these two things should match exactly or is there something I don't understand yet?

Thanks in advance!

Jordan

Ideally, they should match. But, you can just account for it when you do the work.

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Pat

I've seen better, I like to use a template to make my mold, you can get very very close

Yeah that's pretty bad -- What do the makers have to say about it? +/- Machining tolerances can result in a template being a fraction loose or a fraction tight, those look like a different profiles all together. Check the mold halves to see if they are symmetrical (that could be another problem?) But if you are going to use the mold us it to draw the top and back profile -- just a suggestion.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Jordan: I would check to see if the mold could be cleaned up to get a good match with the template. If you can't, I suggest a new mold. Don't start off with a disadvantage. Just my opinion of course.
Tom

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

There is a lot of variation even on a single model built by the same manufacturer over the years. So an OM shape presented by two different manufacturers is likely to be somewhat different. If both pieces came from the same supplier I would expect them to match pretty much bang on but as they came from two different suppliers I would not expect them to match at all. I would say use the template as a template to lay out your bracing but make a new one that fits your mould. Good luck!

Shane

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Canada

Thank you all for the tips! I think what I will do is make a new template based on the shape of the mold and transfer the bracing pattern from the old template to the new one lining up the center lines.

Does that sound reasonable? The plan both components claim to be from is the OLf SJ.

Jordan, that will work fine

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I think you have mismatched parts. My SJ template and mold mate well.

While I believe you do have a good work around, as Ed mentions its seems that one or the other supplier has simply sent an out of spec item. I assume you have the plan as well, which matches drawing correctly?

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

The mold and the bending form are from the same supplier and they match each other. The template and the drawings match.

The form doesn't match the template at all.

Jordan: Making a new template will work but before you start make sure both sides of your mold match so your new template will match both sides. You don't want to end up chasing your tail on this.
Tom

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

Don't forget to check the length and bridge location (relative to the 14th fret body join) when making a new template. Don't assume the centerline is all you have to line up. . .

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Thank you all for the tips!