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Just a slight rant and a simpmle question. I had a heck of a time trying to get the back graft to stay in place when trying to use the bars. I have to use a go-bar for this because I don't have clamps, cams or otherwise, to do this.     I'm using LMI white glue and I tried my darnedest to wipe off the excess but as you can see in the pic I couldn't get close to the corner.

Do any of you have similar problems?

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I clamp a straight edge along the backgraft so I have a reference point. Then I apply the glue on the backgraft and lean it againg the edge and give it a few seconds until the glue starts to "grab" then I place the go bars carefully are use the edge as a guide. It works great!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Doesn't the squeeze out glue the brace to the straight edge? Even if it is metal.

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[QUOTE=nathan c] Doesn't the squeeze out glue the brace to the straight edge? Even if it is metal.[/QUOTE]
Well, right after the go bars are in place I remove the straight edge....and clean it well!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

One more thing, I place a strip of hard board on top on the backgraft so the go bars don't dent the soft spruce.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Great idea Hesh. I like the radius idea. I could have done that with the clamps I have. Since the radius in the middle didn't need a clamp.

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Peter, not too worried about denting. I'm using hard maple. I posted a couple of months ago whether or not to use hard maple and the consensus was to go for it

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[QUOTE=nathan c] Doesn't the squeeze out glue the brace to the straight edge? Even if it is metal.[/QUOTE]

Like Peter, I put is a stick right down the center next to where the back graft goes, clamoing it in with a couple goes sticks. Put in the graft using some short cawls to keep from nicking it up with the go bar stick and as soon as the glue grabs (just a couple minutes) I take the guide stick out and clean any squeezout. Everything is clean and perfectly aligned.

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[QUOTE=John How] Put in the graft using some short cawls to keep from nicking it up with the go bar stick and as soon as the glue grabs (just a couple minutes) I take the guide stick out and clean any squeezout. Everything is clean and perfectly aligned.[/QUOTE]

Johnny....thats exactly how I do it!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I use the low tech method - I use the brown tape I use for binding stretched across in 4 or 5 places and then one that goes the length stretched and secured on the top and back. Then when the glue is dry I scrape the grafy flush.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

[QUOTE=nathan c] Doesn't the squeeze out glue the brace to the straight edge? Even if it is metal.[/QUOTE]

Waxpaper around the straight edge should prevent the glue sticking.

Sorry - I was thinking about the tail wedge when I posted. But I still use brown tape and hhg. I put the back graft in as pieces after the bracing is in and carved.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

[QUOTE=nathan c]       I'm using LMI white glue and I tried my darnedest to wipe off the excess but as you can see in the pic I couldn't get close to the corner.

Do any of you have similar problems?

[/QUOTE]
I use my little 6" ruler to get the glue cleaned up close to the strip,then a damp cloth.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I hate wax paper for preventing stickage; don't trust the lack of silicone, for one thing. Best stuff: clear packing tape. Apply to anything, and even superglue doesn't stick to most.

I do it the same as Peter and John do. Don't worry about the straightedge sticking, you have plenty of time to pull it out and clean it up. I also don't use anything protective on the top of the graft, since I plane it down and round it over after it is glued in.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I have been using plastic bags from the big box stores for a glue barrier then scraping with a soft plastic scraper made for spreading spakling to clean the squeeze out.  Seems to work good so far.  I make sure the printing is on the side away from the glue.  Don't ask how i learned this.

Kirby

I use a straight edge to position the graft, clamp it with no glue and run blue painters masking tape alone each side tight to graft, remove the bars and the graft apply glue and reclamp. The tape keeps the graft in place. After the glue tacks up remove the tape and clean up any squeeze, not much since the tape catches most of it.

I use a straight edge to position the graft, clamp it with no glue and run blue painters masking tape alone each side tight to graft, remove the bars and the graft apply glue and reclamp. The tape keeps the graft in place. After the glue tacks up remove the tape and clean up any squeeze out, not much since the tape catches most of it.

Thanks for all the responses! The remaining 2 pieces of the graft will definately be much easier to glue

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Nathan,

Try a straw to help with glue cleanup. Take a straw (McDonalds are strong) and cut a section of 3 or 4 inches off at a 45 degree angle. You can then run the point right along the glued joint to pick up excess glue.

Philip

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Great idea Phillip!!...Kids..we're going out for supper

Everyone grab a handful of straws and don't ask questions...

I would skip the straws and use a good ol' razor blade or a chisel...

but a big Mac would definitely help!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

[QUOTE=konacat] Nathan,

Try a straw to help with glue cleanup. Take a straw (McDonalds are strong) and cut a section of 3 or 4 inches off at a 45 degree angle. You can then run the point right along the glued joint to pick up excess glue.

Philip[/QUOTE]

Not a bad idea....sucking up the glue with a straw. Titebond probably tastes about as bad as a Big Mac anyway