I have used a clothing iron to straighten mahogany sides when I changed my mind on the body. I turned it up all the way, wet the wood and used the steam function. I made them completely flat by using the iron on both sides. I had a set of Indian rosewood back halves stashed for 8 years. When I decided to use them I found they had warped. They both warped in the same direction so when I put them together like you do with book matched halves they were bending in opposite directions making them impossible to use. I ironed them flat also and never had any problems with them. Considering how much work goes into making a guitar, I wouldn’t use cracked wood. But if you have to you can put interior side braces directly over the crack and probably never have an issue with it. Except you’ll be able to see it unless you put a solid color finish over it. A friend of mine has a Gibson Dove with solid black back and sides. It’s a nice looking guitar.
@CMRWoodworks Жыл бұрын
Yeah, I didn‘t think about using an iron. May have been even easier! Thanks for the info!
@martinlouden9005 Жыл бұрын
Great info Chris. I wish I'd known this when bending the sides on what is still my first guitar.
@CMRWoodworks Жыл бұрын
Thanks man!
@juswoodshop Жыл бұрын
Maybe it’s an opportunity to try laminated sides?
@CMRWoodworks Жыл бұрын
It‘s coming for sure. I‘d like to save to get a vacuum system, but I know people have done it using clamps with a male and female mold.
@lutheologie1517 Жыл бұрын
I agree with the others - laminate them! The best guitar I have ever held in my hands had laminated sides.
@lutheologie1517 Жыл бұрын
And consider some solid linings while you are at it!
@CMRWoodworks Жыл бұрын
I think I‘m headed that way for sure. Just need to make a dedicated form and come up with a clamping method (or save for a vacuum) 😅
@thecluelessluthier6520 Жыл бұрын
I think it was well worth the effort to learn. I am seriously considering laminating my sides like Chris at Driftwood does. You might be able to try that with these sides if you still want to try more experimentation. 🤪
@CMRWoodworks Жыл бұрын
I really want to start laminating or doing structures sides! I just want to wait until I can get a vacuum system. Plus there is building yet another building form 🥴
@thecluelessluthier6520 Жыл бұрын
@@CMRWoodworks I priced vacuum systems out and I just can't justify it for me. If I expected to build more guitars then I would. I am going to attempt it using my bending machine and form with the addition of the long rubber bands I got with my first kits. What could go wrong! 🤔😁