Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello all. I worked for Gibson Montana for about 2 years and I remember
watching these people who's only job was to glue kerfed lining (kerfing) onto
rims. Seemed really simple (still does actually). Fast forward to my 5th
instrument. I've been using basswood reverse lining from stew-mac (Gibson
uses old school angled) and I can't seem to not break it. It was also a minor
problem on previous instruments. Any tips? Thought about backing it up
with a thin piece of sheet metal but....Anyway, Ideas?

I had the same problem, but with mahogany reversed kerf linings. Hesh suggested dampening it (I kept water off the gluing surface). Worked great.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I pre-bend mine in my bender just like bending sides and bindings.  Works great with no cracks or breaks.

Thanks for the tip Burbank. I tried it with the top lining as it is less visible
and it did help but not fully. I have the most trouble in the upper bout. By
the way it's a OOO. Maybe an iron?

We crossed in the middle David. Thanks, i'll give it a try.

Tommy,

Check out this past post about kerfing. Ryan kerfing

I think you will also find instances of members adding extra cuts to their commercial kerfing in order increase the flexablity. I am building ukuleles so a tight radius is always necessary. In my building school everyone had breaks in their kerfing so I think the Ryan kerfing looks extreamly attractive.

Best of Luck

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

I did mine (mahogany) according to a tutorial posted by Ken Cierp at kitguitarsforum.com. He mists them with water and wraps them in tinfoil for a while after which he clamps them to the outside of the sides and lets them take the shape. Worked very well. I did manage to break one but that was due to my fumbling more than the process.

Warren.

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/REVERSEKERFING.html

when installing in tight spots, I mist with water like the above fellows but add to it a bit of heat from a heat gun - repeat if necessary as the water dries - works just like a hot pipe !!!

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I wet them, then wrap in foil and bend to shape on the side bender.

I then clamp them to the sides without glue and let them dry.

Then I'll glue them.

Cheers

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

i had problems with reverse linings too. next time i think i ll bend them befor .

Like Todd, I mill my own with a thicker web and bend them in the side bender. Makes the sides really stiff and it is easier to cut the recesses for brace ends because the web isn't so fragile.

                    Paul

Misting and bending iron worked like a charm! Thanks gentlemen.