Official Luthiers Forum!

I have a few loose back braces to glue on an old B-25 I'm working on. My plan is to use fish glue as it will ensure long-term repairability, with the advantage of a longer working time that the hide glue I usually use.

For applying clamping pressure there is the highly refined Stew Mac scissor jack, which the tool junkie in me covets, and there are the standard screw jacks, or even just a tip up post.

Is a scissor jack worth it? (I'm sure these won't be the last back braces I glue)
Do any of you have images of jacks you've built for regluing back braces that you think work as good or better than these?

thank you for any recommendations.

I love my scissor jacks.
I've used dowels, turn buckles, and magnets, but find the scissor jacks the easiest by far for back braces. The ability to position it with a magnet from the outside lets me clamp up quick enough for hide glue.
I made a few wedges and shapes that screw to the jack for brace ends that work well. Also a bolt w/ a pad on it that I sometimes use for gently pressing a cleat.

Had the same concerns before I ordered mine. Went ahead and got it. A great little tool.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

We don't use these kinds of jacks not that there is any reason in particular. We are able to get everything done with magnets, static jacks (non-adjustable sticks with notches, etc, and conventional clamps. In the last 8 years or so we have taken rare earth magnets to some pretty good levels with teflon attachments specifically engineered for clamping bracing in hard to reach places. You do have to be careful with these magnets in so much as with north of 40lbs of pull they can jump and hurt ya.

Nothing wrong with scissor jacks we just prefer the alternatives.

I've used all kinds of things....

Pencils cut to length dowels etc.

I made one of these for my current repair.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks all. With this specific repair being a ladder braced B-25 3/4 I may just go with static jacks that I can tip into place, and wait until more complex bracing repair to get the scissors jack. Placement and alignment should be pretty easy, as both end of brace are still glued in place - its the center that has come loose.

Maybe I can dig one up in the classifieds.

I'll be sure to document my process to share.