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Hi All,

I haven't been on the forum for a long time. I build flamenco guitars. I have never found a satisfactory way of cutting out the clear plastic tap plate (golpeador) for the top. I've tried scissors but they cause the edge to deform. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I had the same problem until I bought some very high quality (Fiscars) scissors/sheers. They cost about $40 if I recall. I only use them for golpeadores. One trick you probably already know is to always cut from the back (glue side) of the golpeador, it makes any deformation bend toward the glue edge rather than outward. After cutting the shape I normally lightly sand the edge with 320 dry on all the curved parts which also helps.

Yup sharp scissors are key. I have a set of Sakagen florist scissors that I only ever use for jobs like that. Razor sharp and cut like buttah.

Hey Max!

And another vote for uber sharp scissors we use Gingher which cost around $100 and ONLY use them for this operation.

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for the input. I'll start looking for those scissors!

Best Wishes,
Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

Hesh,

I looked for Gingher scissors on eBay and found hundreds and the prices were all over the place! Any information on the specific ones you guys use? Size? Type? Model?

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

When it comes to scissors you might want to consider buying new (which is something I rarely say). As with hand saws, the way a person uses them affects the way they work. Professionals who use scissors daily in their work will not allow others to use them. They often pay a lot of money for them. Top of the line Kamisori shears can set you back over a grand. They make the $40, 10 inch knife edge Gingher's at JoAnn's look like a bargain.
For scissors buy new.

Do you guys use scissors to cut faux tortoise pickguards too? I have been making wood patterns and template routing them but if they have the adhesive tape already on them it is hard to get a clean edge on the adhesive and I usually have to go around with a sharp blade to clean them up.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Yes I use scissors for all celluloid plastic guards.

I have cut several hundred traditional pick guards and have always used scissors for the initial shape. I have never cut one with the adhesive already installed. For me, there is too much edge sanding and beveling to be done to do it with the adhesive installed.

I looked at amazon , and they have a nice set of gingher gold scissors for abt 25$ . Can anyone recommend a particular model number as a good choice for doing tap plates thank you!

Max and Ernie there is no model number on mine but here are some pics.

Complete tangent: I cannot help but think of the movie Dead Again, a 1991 homage to the film noir thrillers of the 1940s, starring Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson and Derek Jacobi. A pair of well crafted German scissors was critical to the plot of that movie. Well worth the time, if you can find it somewhere.

Thanks Hesh . I will start looking

Thanks for the additional information, Hesh and others.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I went to joanns on sun , and picked up a set of their industrial 10 in knife edge trimmers they are $68 plus tax For cutting heavy duty materials.

Did you have a coupon?

Joann's typically has coupons for anywhere from 20 to 40% off.

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.