Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all,

I'm fairly new here but read through enough to know that you are indeed a great group of very helpful people. I therefore have a question.

I have read here (in the OLF archives) and there (else where on the net) about baking or cooking your top sets prior to jointing.

The general consensus would seem to be that this process stabilises the wood against future shrinkage and sets the tone. Some even suggest that it also helps to decrease the required "play in" period for a new instrument.

Others maintain that the process also makes for a superior finish by expelling volatile oils from the timber and crystallising the sap within the wood thereby avoiding the adverse reaction that would normally take place between thinners and those volatile oils gassing off thus reducing sink back.

I personally do not know how much if any of this is true, although some of it does indeed sound feasible. I have also read somewhere that Bob Taylor states that Taylor Guitars cook their tops to lessen the damage that can be caused by clients who leave their instruments inside vehicles.

So, there would appear to be some merit in the process. However I also read a lot of various ways that people go about achieving a well controlled bake. Vertical heat cabinets, the home oven, boxes with light globes and kilns are some that I have encountered.

My question is, has any body tried stickering their tops in a home made wood press, and throwing it inside a parked car for a few hours on a hot day? Seems it would be big enough to do your sides and backs as well, hell, you could even throw the neck in for good measure, if it can cook a dog, it can cook your wood.

If it gets too hot, put down the windows a little, what do you all reckon.

Cheers

Kim

I think it would be very hard to control the temp unless you sat there and watched it the whole time, and you'd need a pretty hot day.

Then again, I'm not sure I need to bake any of my tops now that new years day topped out at 46.9C (that's about 116F) in the shade. God only knows what it would have been inside a car. Did you get the heat wave over there in WA? Would have been a good day to test your idea.

[QUOTE=PaulB] I think it would be very hard to control the temp unless you sat there and watched it the whole time, and you'd need a pretty hot day.[QUOTE]

Well, lets see Paul, 1 x car parked nice and close to the pool on a hot West Australian day, (it's about 38c here today, that should do it) + 1 large thermometer, 1 deck chair, 1 cold slab, a block of ice and a big brolly (thats an umbrella for the uninitiated) I reckon it can be done, any one com'in over for a BBQ? There's room enough in my old Rangie for quite a few tops, just bring a six pack and I'll put on the snags.

As for how hot it gets, you would not have to wait long. Have a look   HERE and just bare in mind that we are talking Celsius here. You can see why an instrument would fail, a child or pet does'nt stand a chance

Paul you guys on the east coast of Australia have really been cooking this year, the bush fires springing up that I see on the news are a testament to that.

The heat has just hit in the west, but I expect that it will not let up now until around May or June the way things have been going the last few years. That should give me plenty of time to make sure none of those evil volatile gasses are left in my tops.

Kind Regards all

Kim

Hi kim, i think i'll do just like you and start reading the archives, that way i'll learn more and you'll have a chance to catch up on posting and to welcome me as a newbie. .As for bakin' in my car, here, summer doesn't last long, (Man i hope i'm not working during that day )Not many chances to fry a top either. Ok i'll stop kiddin' and go to the archives .Love your sense of humor!

Nice meeting you !

Serge