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Well, the RH has finally dropped to around 45% and looks like it'll stay that way until at least Sunday when more rain is forcast for late in the day. The day time temp is forcast at around 17C (62F).

So it's time to brace a couple of tops and backs that have been sitting there while I wait impatiently for the RH to drop.

I've got all the gear for using HHG for the first time so I guess it's time to bite the bullet and dive in.

Since I'm only going to have a brief window of opportunity, I'm wondering how long the glued braces should be clamped in the gobar deck before it's safe to take them out? If it's overnite then I'm not going to be able to do two backs and two tops in the time I'll have.

So how long is long enough? I've heard ten minutes is enough for titebond, is HHG faster?

Someone will be along momentarily to educate us both...but honestly, I don't think 10 minutes in a GoBar deck is long enough to securely fasten braces using Titebond. I've left things for several hours typically. In fact, using titebond, I use heavy vacuum for 30-45 minutes.

I'll be interested in these answers, too.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

with titebond i do not think anything less than 1 hour is sufficient. i usually do the same with hhg for unstressed joints. since the brace/top joint usually has stress involved i prefer to leave them at least 6-8 hrs. you can get 2 done in a day.

i know others will give differing opinions.

What Hesh says.

What's the rush!? Make more time.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I generally base my clamp time for titebond on the amount of surface area I am gluing. For braces, usually an hour is sufficient. For things like the bridge and bridge plate (more surface area) I generally let them set for at least 4 hours if not overnight.

fingerboards and necks get an overnight clamp

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Reguards,

Ken H