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Hi,
I have installed the bindings in the back of my Stew Mac kit. It turns out there is a gap between the bindings and the sides. Upon close inspection with my trusty lighted magnifying glass the wood bindings I got from SM have a slight angle to it. The way we put them in made the gap. If we would have put them in the other way there would have been no gap. Is this intentional so you can get a tight clean joint? (obviously if it is you would have to know beforehand and put in the binding the correct way for the tight joint.) It is like when you put the taper on the heel of the neck to get a tight fit. I also looked at the plastic binding that came with the kit, it has even more of an angle. Of course Stew Macs instructions make no mention of this.

VP

I haven't noticed an angle on any of the SM bindings I purchased.
However, I have noticed many other issues with their bindings... now I make my own.
I do knock off the inside corner of the binding just to be sure it doesn't cause me any trouble.

If your not happy with the way it turned out you can always route them off and start again.
I had to do that once and I was glad I did. Looked much better the second time.

SA

Wood bindings usually will gap a bit . When you think about the geometry , especially on the back you are making the binding conform to a lot. Did you break the inside edge of the binding ? You need to do that as a female corner is never perfect into the edge so you chamfer the male side do avoid this holding the joint off.

With the tape off I can see a tiny gap in some places, it will get filled when I seal the rosewood. Thanks for the tips guys. I have had a few isuues with StewMac with some of their tools and with their kits, next time I will get a kit right here.

VP

When doing binding I bind with cord or rope. NIL gaps...........It ensures the binding is tight to the body. Lots of folks use tape but they are more skilled then me.


Tom

This may be a bigger picture.................not good at this computer stuff !!! The far side is the only one being glued. I do one half at a time..........slower but NO gaps.
Tom

Tom
be sure to break the inside corner on wood binding It will gap at some point.
Learning to do binding is the fit and finish part of building and one of the most important to master for a good looking guitar.
I used to use the cordage like Martin but found the tape works great , if you use the right stuff. Martin stopped using the wrapping a few years ago. If it works by all means keep doing it. There is always more than one way to do things

When I use wood binding I tape the whole body and then add twill tape wrap in the waist of the guitar to pull it in tight in those tight curves. This has worked well for me getting no gaps.

I agree that wood is tougher than plastic. I use a bar clamp at the waist. We should set up an area so we can post pics for reference.

John: Totally agree with you. Should mention something else as prep. Through examination of the routed ledges. Sometimes there are small areas that need cleaning up,small file, small sharp chisel and MAGNIFIERS.
Tom