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Hi, I have just cut some templates from the OLF SJ and OM plans. After tracing out and flipping, I note that the surface to where one would glue the neck and tail blocks is flat for only 1.5" on each end before the design curves off into the upper and lower bouts.

Is it better for me to modify the template now, before I make the molds and flatten them by the width of the neck and tail block gluing surface, or do I shape the gluing surface of the blocks to match the contour of the form?

TIA for your help.

Cheers

Kim

Hmm, just looked at the plans again and it would seem pretty obvious to shape the glue surface of the blocks to match the contour so they do not distort the sides. My confusion stemmed from reading somewhere, I think Kinkead's fine book, that it is important to leave that area flat, to achieve a good joint, but that would have referred to making the OM from the plans in the back of his book.

Thanks

Kim

I shape 'em to match the form...rough out on the belt sander, then stick some sandpaper on the fine mold I got from John Hall, and true up...Flattening them like the OM would work, but would spoil the fine curvy shape MichaelP drew up for us!

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Thanks Guys. It's all so clear now, and if I had of looked a bit more carefully before posting I would have answered my own question. But it is nice to be sure.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Kim

No problem Kim! Gives us a chance to add another post...like we'd ever catch Serge anyway!

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HE HE HE

1850 Man, we're sunk, the rest of us! Unless you're the Big Kahuna or something!

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See, even with that (this) one, I'm only at 928!

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What would happen if i were to pass the big kahuna, do i get to close any threads or own the sandbox?

Yes I build my neck and heal blocks with the curve in them and this is shown as I build. My neck blocks are mortised while square then radiused afterward. A lot build with flat blocks. If the curve ends in a tangent straight at the edges of the blocks I see no issue and that is your choice, but structurally I think there is less srress on the side as I have it drawn. but we are talking minusha here.

Here again in the notes on the face of the plans, I state that I did not detail the neck block heal block of neck so that each luthier can adapt their own to the body

Good building
Mp

[QUOTE=Serge Poirier] What would happen if i were to pass the big kahuna, do i get to close any threads or own the sandbox? [/QUOTE]

As discussed earlier, you'd turn into a pure spirit poster...no shape, body, or form...just intellegence!

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Thank you very much for that Michael, I was hoping that you would tune in.

Also, thanks to the OLF, for it is a rare and welcome privilege to have access to clarification from the designer of a plan himself and a real comfort to know that I am on the right track.

I now have the mold made as drawn

Cheers

Kim