Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a question about reinforcing sides. The main goal is to prevent cracking, but now after reading the posts about laminated sides I'm also starting to think that coupling the top and back with strong stiff sides will improve the efficiency of the sound box. I've used bias tape, which is probably good at preventing cracks, and wooden braces, which probably both strengthen and prevent cracks. I noticed that Los Alamos Composites carries carbon fiber sheets in thicknesses of .01, .02 and .03 inches. Wouldn't CF side braces add a ton of strength compared to bias tape or wooden braces? Has anyone tried them?

Bob K

Another way to stiffen the sides is to laminate the rims but just under the bindings. I think it is Rick Turner that uses this method.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I've used the carbon fiber mat from Aerospace Composites cut into narrow strips then glued down with thin CA. It works well, and adds almost no weight.

Al

Guys, thanks for the input. Sounds like I need to do some testing...

Thanks