Jointing the top and back

20180814
I began the build by shooting the various boards: tops and backs.
After making sure that no light passed thru' the joint seam, I proceed to joint the 2 halves of the boards.
I have only 2 sets of jig to clamp the 2 halves so I joint the tops first.

Shooting the back of #10

Back of #10

Shooting the back of #11

Back of #11

Checking the top seam

Jointing the top using my jig. Tightening the rope using a wedge.

20180821
The top is removed from the jointing jig.
Next the back is glued with the same method as the top.
The glue remnants is also removed by scraping from the jointed area on the top.

After removing from the jig

Jointing the back #10, tying the rope.

Inserting the wedge

Jointing the back #11

Scraping the top joint

20180828
After the glued dried and more than 48 hours, the 2 backs are released from their jointing jigs.
Looks great!

#10 back jointed

#11 back jointed

Starting on 3 new guitars: #10, #11, #12

20180814
I will be beginning a few new builds: 2 new 6-string guitar and 1 new 7-string guitar
The guitars will all be using RW back and sides with Lutz spruce top.
The RW back taps very high pitch with lots of sustain.
Think these will be interesting build, be sure to stay tuned.

Repair a Ukulele

20180813
A ukulele came in for repair as the bridge came off (another case of bridge repair).
The owner has used a shoe glue to glue it back but it was not a suitable glue.
So I had remove the glue remnants.
Upon removing it I noticed the top was scribed with a lot of XXXXX and this is the cause of failure...
Normally top should not be scribed with xxxx.
Glue work best with fitting surfaces and if the top is damaged with xxxx scribes, the surface will not be fitting and the chances of bridge coming off is bigger.
After cleaning the surfaces and sanding both side to have better fit, I applied the glue and glued back the bridge to the top.

Scraping the glue remnants on the bridge

Sanding the bottom of the bridge

Removing the glue remnants on the top.

Sanding the top.

Fitting both surfaces

Closeup of the scribing marks on the top (likely cause of the failure)

Gluing the bridge to the top.

Repair a guitar

20180801
I have a guitar coming in for a bridge repair.
Nothing too out of the ordinary.
But I did noticed that the top has some wavy curve across, but I did not see any damages to the butt area.
So I think the cause of the bridge coming loose is probably due to changes in RH.
Anyway for this bridge repair I use a caul underneath the top and clamp with 3 bridge clamps.
Before applying the glue, I clean the surface with sandpaper.
After that I applied the glue and clamp.

The gap developing at the back of the bridge. The top has a noticeable wavy curve.

Cleaning the surface with sand paper

Apply glue and clamped

Another view

Caul and clamp used

The bridge glued nicely

20180813
The guitar has been strung up for about a week and the bridge still stays strong.
I prepare a new nut for the guitar with a closer string spacing.
The maker has put a pin in the middle of the nut slot which makes the making of the nut a bit more challenging.
So I just make the nut to fit the slot and file the string spacing accordingly.

New nut with closer string spacing.

Guitar all strung up and ready to play.