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Top inverted

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Peebs

Post subject: Top inverted

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:40 am

Mahogany

Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:47 am
Posts: 43
First name: Al
Last Name: Peebels
City: Johnston City
State: Il
Zip/Postal Code: 62951
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

My shop is not humidity controlled, so I have to wait for the weather to allow me to brace a top. When I braced the top, RH was 47%, then the weather changed before it was glued to the sides. RH dropped to 35% and the top inverted, it is now concave. Do I shave off the braces and start over, or will rehumidifying help ?

Thanks

Al

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John Arnold

Post subject: Re: Top inverted

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:54 am

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:17 am
Posts: 1292
First name: John
Last Name: Arnold
City: Newport
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37821
Country: USA
Focus: Repair
Status: Professional

You can rehumidify, but I would just change the braces. Usually, this means change the X-braces and the UTB. IMHO, there is nothing wrong with some inversion on the tone bars, since the string tension will tend to pull the top up below the bridge.
Next time, use a hair dryer on the top for several minutes before gluing the braces. It is cheap insurance.

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John

These users thanked the author John Arnold for the post: Nick Royle (Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:02 pm)

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Tom West

Post subject: Re: Top inverted

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 3:26 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:10 pm
Posts: 2764
First name: Tom
Last Name: West
State: Nova Scotia
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Al:
RH between 35% and 40% are what I look for before gluing cross grain. Also the wood should be in this range for a day or so before starting the process. Be sure your gauges are accurate.
Tom

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

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Peebs

Post subject: Re: Top inverted

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 4:11 pm

Mahogany

Thanks for the info. I had quit building for a few years due to working too many hours. Now I'm retired and back to building. Thanks again.

Al

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DennisK

Post subject: Re: Top inverted

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:45 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:59 pm
Posts: 3626
First name: Dennis
Last Name: Kincheloe
City: Kansas City
State: MO
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I agree with John... rebrace, because your current 35% humidity is just about ideal.

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