Official Luthiers Forum!

I recently used a backstrip from LMI (http://www.lmii.com/CartTwo/thirdproduc ... Backstrips, B16B, Cheveron). Really liked the color match. But after sanding board to 0.1", the whole thing simply split in half (along the centerline of the purfling). I even laminated the other side! Anybody ever have this happen? Suggestions?

Mike

Mike: Have used LMI's backstripes but not this one .I've used B120B a number of times and have not a problem.I put these in when I join the top and then after sanding to thickness I flood both sides of strip with thin CA glue. Knock on wood I have not had a problem YET....!!!
Tom

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

Mike-
Did you inlay the backstrip or include it (sandwich) in the back glue-up?
When you say that you 'laminated the other side' - was this your cross-grain back seam reinforcement?

Can you get the seam to close for re-gluing (and more reinforcement)?

Cheers
John

Yup, i've had those problems with the large Washburn like strip. I cyano'd them and still had problems. I've stopped using them as part of the glue up, and now rout them in. I also have taken to glueing the inside spruce center strip in with industrial epoxy. No more problems...

Very dissapointed. I will recover the back, but will never use a premade strip that has an obvious failure mode down the center line. Only way I would use it is as an inlay.

But I do appreciate the replies. If you look at a lot of the premade strips, many do not have a failure mode down the center. Note to self.

Mike, I've used at least a hundred of them and have never had a problem. After I trim the back, I usually take the scrap cutoff piece and purposly break it. Most often, the 2 halves will break at the seam of the backstrip, not the center. I think you got a bad strip.

Mike Franks
www.mjfranksguitar.com

Realy? U think bad strip?

The only decoration I somewhat trust to be sandwiched contains simple wood and veneers, and I go at great lengths to ensure very good joints. And then when I plane and scrape the back thin I always make sure not to pull on the seam, but push towards it or at least parallel, if that makes sense. I think the marquetry stuff is safer if inlaid in a routed channel. I would not sandwich it.

_________________
Build log