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 I just bought some brace stock and want to make my first set of braces. Are they split out or cut out? Are they shape before or after they are radiused? I have used premade braces so this is a mystery.

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Mistakes are mandatory-learning from them is optional. http://www.opensourceluthiersupply.com

Much stock is sawn out, so it may appear quartered with no run out, but there is no guarantee.

Many prefer to split out their stock.

Some folks just run with it.

Do you have the Cumpiano book? I think there is a good explanation in there.

I shape my braces with a router and jig, cut the x notch with the router and rough in the radius again, with the router.

I sand in a sanding dish until pencil witness lines disappear. That way I know it's ready to roll.

Good luck, others will be along to add to this description.

Good question.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

You will discover quickly that all brace wood is not created the same.  I totaled one whole piece, and got nothing out of it when I split it.  There were twists internally that made it impossible.  The next batch was great.  most splits were straight as an arrow.  very little twist, and it was easy to plane out perfectly quartered braces.

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Waddy

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Split once for a split face (down the middle, most chance of getting maximum yield good brace stock), and then slice braces indexing off the split face.