Strategies for gluing in binding/purfling/marketry?

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nkwak
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Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Pittsburgh PA suburbs

Strategies for gluing in binding/purfling/marketry?

Post by nkwak »

I'm at the point where I am ready to glue on the binding and purfling to the top of my first build but I did a poor job of measuring before routing so I'm trying out different purfling combinations to make it all work. I had one failed attempt at gluing in side purfling first but then I went back and glued a new strip to the rosewood binding that I'd already bent. Now I have everything dry-fitted and I'm about to glue everything down but I have a couple of questions to ease my mind before I proceed:

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1: Given that I don't have shellac to seal the end grains in the top, which of the following is the best approach?

A: Binding on first then wait until it dries, then clean up any squeeze out. Then once the binding is dry work in the purfling as you would with a rosette, or

B: glue it all together prior to installation then gluing it all into the channels at the same time, or

C: flood the channels with Titebond and work it all together in several inch segments? I'm leaning toward this option

2: is Titebond OK to use? I've heard that it's more forgiving to work with than CA? If I choose to glue the binding and the purfling all at the same time will I have enough time if I work in short segments?
~ Neil
tippie53
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Re: Strategies for gluing in binding/purfling/marketry?

Post by tippie53 »

On the rosette I would use Duco cement. Tite bond can get grabby fast and that can make setting the rosette tricky plus it will add some water to the top. On purfling and binding tite bond can work well there but when using this think down and in when applying the tape.
Any gapping you find you can use dust and shellac as a filler. Dust and glue can leave a glue line when you get to the finish.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
nkwak
Posts: 709
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Pittsburgh PA suburbs

Re: Strategies for gluing in binding/purfling/marketry?

Post by nkwak »

Thanks, John. For the rosette I was considering on doing that outer purfling ring over with bolder BWB. That's what I routed out for but grabbed the wrong stuff after I'd flooded the trench with CA. First things first is having a steady hand with the dremel since the circle cutter is not an option anymore.

I hear you on how to apply force on the purfling though. It sits WELL proud and wants to lay down and go any which way.
~ Neil
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