D45 how to

[tippie53]

I just finished up a D 45 with a student and will post a how to shortly.
If you never did pearl work this may be an interesting subject.
Keep an eye open you will see something soon.

[tippie53]

Here are some pics as promised.
First I used abalam in this inlay I also use a poly strip as a spacer that is pulled after the binding process. You can view the binding rout process on You Tube.
So one the channels are open you have to start on the fretboard extension. First you set the neck so you know where the extension is and route .

[tippie53]

Note the corners at the rosette. You want them lined up nicely. At this point I glue up the purfling and pearl to make a stick. This I can miter as one piece and set into my route. You determine the width by measuring the width and allow .030 as a boarder against the fretboard binding. This will be the starting point of the binding and has to be set up correctly for the best end result. Note the miter at the out side.

[tippie53]

The next area is the corner tie ins. I do the heel and the tail piece. It doesn't matter in which order but you have to have these 3 areas set first to tie the top , side and back binding .

[tippie53]

Now that the starting points are complete you miter in the joints. I start at the neck on the top and side. As I set the miters I glue in with the poly strip. adjust as needed. I use a fresh safety razor blade to cut them in. I use a mill file to set in the tail pieces and neck bindings. Once fit all is glued and taped.

[tippie53]

now that the binding is complete and dried , it is time to set in the pearl. I start on the top. Pull the poly miter and drop in the pearl. I use anything that allows me to apply pressure and control the snap of the abalam .

[tippie53]

I lay in some tite bond and keep filling. I use a small nail to align pieces that may move but in all once the poly and binding is set the rest of this is just glue , snap and wipe.

[johnnparchem]

Thanks for posting the pictures, they are very instructional.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

You make it look so easy John. I think my nerves would be shot trying to do all those miters

[tippie53]

you get used to it.
I like the challenge and I bet you can do it .
If you don't try you won't fail , if you don't let failure get in your way you will succeed