Installing Guitar Binding with Acetone | Step-by-Step

This is my step by step process for how I install a plastic guitar binding using the acetone method.
As with all my videos, they are just designed to show how I do the process and hopefully provide a bit of help for a few people out there. I hope this helps if you're looking to do a first binding install, feel free to ask any questions in the comments.
0:00 Video Intro
0:23 Preparing a guitar body for binding
0:43 How binding should sit on the guitar & get binding channel right
1:29 Getting ready to start binding - initial taping & bending
3:03 Dealing with curves in guitar binding
3:16 Can you join binding?
3:53 Technique for applying acetone to guitar binding
4:55 How to join guitar binding
6:07 How to fill gaps in guitar binding
7:23 How to level guitar binding flush with the body
7:55 Filling binding gaps demo
8:29 Tidying up binding around neck pocket
9:14 Photos of how the binding should look
My Links
Website
If you would like to know more about the guitars I build you can visit my website here: www.tornelliguitars.com/
Instagram
I post progress of my guitar builds, things that people may find useful and anything guitar related that entertaining here:
/ tornelli_guitars
What influences me in my guitar building?
I love building guitars and the community that has grown around luthiery. I like to build reimagined versions of classic guitars and give them my own twist. So classics from Fender Guitars and Gibson Guitars tend to be my main inspiration. From the community, I hope to create content similar to Crimson Guitars, BIGDGUITARS and Guns and Guitars. I have found their content invaluable over the years.
I love building guitars! Join me as I build original design electric guitars and share my guitar building tips and tricks. On this channel you will get full guitar building series and detailed 'How To' videos describing the step by step process for some of the trickiest parts of building guitars.
My guitar builds cover everything from designing, wood choices, shaping guitar necks & bodies, installing truss rods, neck carving, guitar fretting, guitar binding, installing guitar pickups & electronics, guitar set ups, dyeing and colouring, finishing & polishing guitars.
I build original and reimagined versions of classic guitars. Everything I make is for sale and I also like to make videos of my guitar builds to show customers how their instruments are made. Its also a great way of making friends within the guitar building community! I've also entered the Great Guitar build off for 2021 & 2022 as a bit of fun and to help share what I've learned.
Thanks for watching!
#guitarbinding #guitarbindingacetone #guitarbindingstepbystep #howtoinstallguitarbinding #guitarbindinginstallation #guitarbindingguide #bindingaguitar

[@TornelliGuitars]

This comment is always the link to my latest vid, please enjoy!… kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWXUdZaCiLZgrtEsi=XiXaeHKK8qjxK8sa

[@davidwellings2783]

I stumbled across your channel a couple of weeks ago (your reimagined Les Paul…!) What a relaxed, good-humoured and informative presentation style you embody and what elegant stylish instruments you create! Thanks for your video output, I most certainly will be watching! 🍷🍷🥰🥰🎸🎸

[@jogmas12]

Binding adds that special touch to the guitar

[@cuinoz3569]

Excellent presentation and thanks for sharing.

[@adamcone6856]

I have to say that your videos are extremely good. The way you explain your methods and processes in that soothing British accent is perfect. This binding trick with acetone instead of glue is great. Thank you for taking the time for us. You are a great teacher.

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks Adam that’s really kind, I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment!👍

[@duanehill4911]

Very good, very thorough tutorial! How and why explained in an exceptionally clear way.

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks Duane, I appreciate the feedback!👍

[@mattfischer3853]

That’s beautiful

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thank you!👍

[@UndeadBoogie]

Great video!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind comment, I really appreciate it 👍

[@Stephen_M.]

I have always been curious about doing bindings on guitars. This is the best, most informative video I've seen to date! Thank you for sharing!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for taking the time to leave a kind comment!👍

[@mikepihowich4360]

Wonderful video!!

[@Stephen_M.]

I've got some Black Pearl binding coming Wednesday! I have an old Banjo that had a pealing and chipped veneer back. (1920's or 1930's I'm guessing, by it's construction.) So I cut a VERY custom new Birch veneer, with VERY custom inlay cut out of Cherry. I will be giving this as a gift to my favorite musician, who once mentioned to me that they'd like to try their hand at a Banjo. I will reveal the name of the person after it is received, so as not to spoil the surprise. I will be coming back to this video again to make sure I get this right! Thanks again for sharing!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for the comment! I’m interested to know so be sure to let me know how it goes. I’m really glad you found the video helpful. Cellulose binding is actually easier to bend and heat shape than ABS so I’m sure you’ll be fine my friend. Let me know if you have any questions 👍

[@Stephen_M.]

@@TornelliGuitars Will do! Banjo back is about 305mm diameter, so bend should be easy as pie!

[@samatlanta]

Thanks for the excellent demo and very clear explanations!

[@TornelliGuitars]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@fatpotanga]

Interesting and useful, especially seeing the hard cuts joined seamlessly. All good things to tuck behind my ear :)

[@fatpotanga]

Btw, good call on the name change - something I really ought to do 😂

[@TornelliGuitars]

@@fatpotanga thanks x2, glad it was of some use! 👍

[@jonahguitarguy]

Beautiful work!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@TomGlander]

Very helpful video. Thank you.

[@TornelliGuitars]

You’re welcome, thanks for the kind comment! 👍

[@adairguitars]

I haven’t done any binding on a guitar yet, but plan to at some stage. This video is very helpful!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for the kind comment 👍

[@bhartissimo]

I was just about to say the same thing. Thanks, Giacomo!

[@TornelliGuitars]

@@bhartissimo thanks Bhart, hope it’s some use to you! 👍

[@larsgrapeguitars]

Cool! I have to try this on one project! Nice video!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks Lars, I like your new logo btw 👍

[@larsgrapeguitars]

@@TornelliGuitars thank you! I'm tying to look like a bit more professional!

[@matthewstephens6848]

I've just bound a ridiculous travel electric guitar thing I've made. I didn't really watch tutorials, but I've just been binge watching them after doing it and it's become clear that, as always, I made things WAY too hard for myself. I opted for the thickest binding, which made the bending for the four hard corners (a paddle shape) much longer and difficult. Also, I was applying it to a guitar with an epoxy/wallpaper top and back. This made scraping/flushing as hard as it could be too. Totally nightmare and VERY time consuming for a guitar that will probably make a better cricket bat than an instrument. :)

[@TornelliGuitars]

😂 well you certainly set yourself a challenge and I’d say if you can do that then a normal curvy wooden guitar body will be a breeze!

[@matthewstephens6848]

@@TornelliGuitars I seriously hope so sir. I’ll come back to your video as a reference point when I do. I’ve a full tele to do in the exact same way first. This was the dry run. Which was massively needed. There’s all sorts of issues working with those epoxy tops throws up.

[@virtualfi]

Why you didn't "immobile" body before routing?

[@raulconve6841]

Good job! Just a question. Is the same binding strip type used on the body than the one used for the fretboard? Regards!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks, and yes it is the same binding 👍

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Nice work! May I ask what your binding material is? Thank you! Scratch that just found the answer below! BUT... I test glued a piece of ABS plastic to a piece of wood and 4 hours later I could "pop" it right off the wood. Ideas? The ABS was a printout from a 3D printer. Was that the problem? Thanks again!

[@TornelliGuitars]

Hi Jeff, the material I used in this is ABS, the technique also works fine for celluloid. I tried glue once a few years ago and decided I didn’t want to do that because it was so messy compared to this technique. The acetone actually dissolves the binding temporarily which is why I think it gives such a good bond and works so well for joining. I also haven’t had a piece delaminate ever using acetone. Having said that I don’t really have any glued bound guitars to compare it to. I wouldn’t think the 3d printed ABS would be any different but I may be wrong, the easiest way to know if this method will work is just to take a little bit of your binding and drop it into acetone, if it starts dissolving straight away it will be fine to use.

[@jeffdeluca1153]

@TornelliGuitars Thank you for that info. Yes I'm thinking the abs, after being processed (melted then solidifying again), may have changed the structure, or I didn't allow enough time to cure.

[@markgrimm3564]

i just did a telen body using stewmac plastic cream binding with acetone it didn't adhear had to use bind all there glue what binding are you using and where idi ya get it

[@TornelliGuitars]

Hi Mark, I use anything labelled ABS plastic and I tend to buy from TLC Guitar goods. But ABS binding is the stuff you’ll find on Amazon and EBay all the time, it’s the most common. I don’t have any experience of the stew Mac binding but I’m surprised it didn’t adhere. Did you test a piece of the biding by applying some acetone to check if it started to dissolve?

[@mamamamamamamable]

cool video! How do you get the sanding marks off the binding?

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks, I just give them a light run over with some 600 grit paper before finishing.

[@mamamamamamamable]

@@TornelliGuitars thanks for the answer

[@fredgraphix113076]

hi, some luthiers heating their binding to bend, wanted to ask why you're cutting it on tight curved areas?, is it much better than heating/bending? thanks

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks for the question. I only cut the binding where the edge is very sharp. If there is just a curve I will always heat and bend the binding. This way I have less risk of ending up with gaps between the binding and body on the sharp curve.

[@luthiferbuilds]

that body shape is so sick! is that a design of yours?

[@TornelliGuitars]

Thanks buddy, yes that’s my design 👍

[@luthiferbuilds]

@@TornelliGuitars thats sick! really cool, the binding came out amazing as well

[@Dennis-wi6nn]

Make yourself an auxiliary base for the laminate trimmer that is wider and longer than what you have, it will stabilize the router and eliminate the chance of it tipping and ruining the cut. Just my 2 cents.

[@TornelliGuitars]

I have! And you’re right it works great!👍

[@lucky-productions]

how long do you wait before removing the tape?

[@TornelliGuitars]

About 20 minutes just to be safe and make sure it’s properly bonded. It will be pretty much solid after 10 minutes but I always leave it longer.

[@lucky-productions]

@@TornelliGuitars thanks for the speedy response. I'll start removing now then!

[@user-im3kj3cc6u]

0:46 Can i know the name of the tool? I want to get one. Thank you.

[@TornelliGuitars]

Hi, the router is a Makita trim router, and I’m using a binding router bit set (1.5mm) to cut the channel. 👍

[@user-im3kj3cc6u]

@@TornelliGuitarsthanks bro. have a nice day