Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi all.

I need to cleat a crack that occured on the lower end corner of a dreadnought top. When attempting to reach it with my arm, I just baerly can make it to the top of the crack; I would need about 3 inches more on my forarm! So I'm going to have to make myself a jig to reach there and apply pressure to an area of about 3/4" by 3".

Anybody ever had to do this? What jig did you use?

Thanks!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I often use the sharp end of a soundpost setter.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

A couple rare earth magnets stuck to a small piece of wood should do the trick.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Thanks for your responses guys.

David: what does a sound post setter looks like? And how do you use it exactly?

Bob: Yes, I am totally going to get myself some rare earth magnets, but I don't have the time to wait for the mail order. The guitar should come in today.

So if anyone as other suggestions, I'm listening!

Thanks again!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Frank Ford shows this nifty long reach clamp he made on his frets.com website.

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

It's just a flexible strip of metal with a notched flat on one side for manipulating sound posts, and just a sharp tip on the other. I stick a cleat to the sharp end, dab on a bit of hide glue, and press it in to place for a quick rub joint. I use magnets occasionally, but for most jobs this is all I do.

If you're using hot hide glue all you need is any long arm to stick the cleat on that is malleable enough to shape to your needs, and stiff enough to put a pit of pressure to rub it in place. A $3 "S" soundpost setter is perfect for this. Add light and mirror inside the guitar, and it's easy.

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Eschew obfuscation, espouse elucidation.

Thanks for clarifying that David.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

You can cut a custom tool out of 3/4" plywood that is about 1" wide with a straight handle and a long curve that fits through the sound hole contacts the back and continues up to where you want the cleat. With the handle you can lever up to the underside of the top. The shape is roughly like a sickle. A few minutes on the band saw and you have a tool that is exactly the right reach length. Double stick tape the cleat to the tip of your tool.

Steve

Thanks Steve.

That's what I had in mind in the first place, but thought I'd ask to see if someone had a better idea.

I guess that'll have to do!

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)