Hey luthier questions

[mjshailes]

Hey all,

What type of glue and equipment do I use for gluing a guitar body together?

Do I use the same process for the neck?

[martinedwards]

I use standard PVA and never had any real problems yet.

Use as many clamps as you can get. I have G clamps, those one handed ones like mastic guns, and I got some really big ones from LIDL which are 750mm wide.

Any kind of clamp will do, but careful that you don't overdo it and crush the soundbox if it's an acoustic.

same for the neck. Use as many clamps as possible to get as even a spread as you can. There are also tape clamps used for making boxes that you could use for glueing on the fingerboard.

[DLR Guitars]

I use Elmers wood glue and have had great results with it.

[mjshailes]

Thanks ppl I have loadz of clamps at my disposale as the DT tech at my school is helping me. I go to a specialist Desing and Technology College.

[martinedwards]

you should haved MOST of the tools you need then. I've bought a few, but the one thing that I've really found made a difference was the binding router cutter that I got from Stewmac not cheap, but REALLY makes the job easier.

I teach is a bog standard high school and I've built 7 instruments since december. We'll all help, and theres a load of help on MIMF and OFL forums too.

[DLR Guitars]

7 since December???? I wish I had that kind of time and resources. thats awesome. However, I suppose 2.5 since December isn't bad either for me. :)

[mjshailes]

Yh gd work Martin

Im starting on a Mahogany Les Paul Junior with Maple cap and in Blue Burst with a Ibanez profile neck.

[mishmannah]

Something to bear in mind is how long it takes to make a guitar using certain tools; if you have a shop full of powertools, the job will be fairly quick and you will achieve more accurate results; however if you have a smattering of power and hand tools, the build time will be longer due to concentration and striving for accuracy.

I am about to start routing the binding and purfling by hand, using a purfling cutter and 1/4 wood chisel. Both tools have to be VERY sharp. I have achieved good results on test wood...it's gonna take AGES, but I don't mind. I have a dehumidifier set up and a heater in my workshop if I am still building WELL into the British winter!! :D

The glue I have used to glue the soundbox together is Aliphatic Resin Glue (Titebond is the commercial name), it dries yellow and has a great grab after 30 seconds of exposure before joining. Another great thing about it is that you can adjust the joint as it dries...I had one joint unclamped for 20 minutes and it still stuck well when eventually clamped up.


I have also heard great things about the LMI instrument maker's glue. It's a white glue that dries very hard...however it's got a six month use-by-date and is useless after that date.

[mjshailes]

Smart ill check that out Mish

Once again guys thanks for helping me out ill start a thread soon to show progress