U.S. Guitar Kits Cutaway User Manual download pdf (Page 8)

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Eight kerfed (notched) wooden lining strips, or “kerﬁng”,

are supplied for reinforcing the glue joints between the

soundboard, sides and back. Dry-clamp (no glue) the kerﬁng

strips to the top edge of the side assembly using ordinary

spring-tension clothespins (pictured). Each side of the gui-

tar requires two strips, which should be accurately trimmed

where they meet the body blocks. Use at least four or ﬁve

dozen clothespins. The top (gluing) surface of the kerﬁngs

should extend 1/32" above the edge of the guitar’s sides, on

both the top and back sides. The kerﬁng is left slightly tall

so that you’ll have a little wood to sand off until the kerﬁng

comes perfectly ﬂush with the top edge of the sides, and

to make up for any possible misalignment during glue-up.

Disassemble, trim the linings, glue them into place with

Titebond, check the 1/32" clearance and reclamp. Let the

glue dry for 4 hours. Install the kerﬁng strips on the back

edge of the side assembly in the same manner.

Installing kerfed linings

Squaring the neck block and tailblock

Although they work quite well, the waist clamp and card-

board inner body mold still allow some movement. Handle

the rim assembly carefully, especially until the top and back

are glued on and the assembly becomes more rigid. Lay the

rim assembly topside-down on the plywood work surface,

weight it down again, and use a square at each end to see if

the neck block and tailblock are square to the plywood sur-

face. If either end is slightly out of square, use a thin tapered

wedge pressed between the cardboard inner body mold

and either the neck block or tailblock as needed, to force the

blocks and sides into square (pictured). Having the sides

properly squared up at this stage is important.

Stewart-MacDonald’s tool recommendation

Franklin Titebond Glue Item #0620

The luthier’s favorite aliphatic resin glue, for joints that are stronger than the wood.

Water soluble, it cures overnight, sands easily, and resists thermoplastic “creep” better

than ordinary white glues.

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U.S. Guitar Kits Cutaway User Manual Page 8