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I'm wanting to laminate some archtop style tops and backs but I cant find any info on how. Does anybody have any tutorials on this?

First of all, welcome to the OLF Anthony! You'll LOVE it here....I know I do!
(OK, you can let go my arm now boys....I said it!)

I'm guessing you will need a) a solid pattern/former, and b) a vaccuum veneering press setup. I'm not sure how you will get the veneer to bend and compress enough to make it form an archtop shape properly without it splitting the veneer. Perhaps use some supersoft 2 on the veneer to soften it up? And how will you get the variation in thickness that's normally part of an archtop design?

Isn't it easier to just carve the archtop back and top out of solid wood in the traditional manner?

Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

I wanted to try making some backs out of some different woods, like spanish cypress. I found one book that I'll probably buy just thought I'd check if anybody did it here.

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detai ... t=p&page=1

I've laminated archtop plates before and have posted information here and at the MIMF on my techniques. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Hi Anthony.

I was just looking at Dan Yeager's website, and he's in the process of documenting his build process. You should find good info there.

Here's a link to his site. http://www.acme-archtops.com/

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-Clint Beacock

What kind of material did you use for the form you pressed the wood onto. And did you use a vacuum press or just clamps? Thanks!

I use a vacuum bag which is the only way to get even pressure on something with a complex shape like an archtop.

Regarding forms; I use a two-part form. The lower form which fits the inside of the plate was carved from MDF. The top form was fiberglass that was cast using the lower form. The fiberglass form helps to ensure no voids are left when the veneers are laminated.

Check with Ken McKay. You'll find his web address on the members list.

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DES - Farwell, MI