Binding tale...

[justrfb]

Hello All,
I am new to building guitars. I have a "Blog" of my build active here... It is a Dreadnaught kit from Martin. It came with binding, black plastic and also some purfling to match the sound hole. Myself (builder), Willie (son, player) and Annemarie (wife) all agreed to get light binding (curly maple) and no purfling for this first build. I talked to John (thanks), read many posts (thanks) and pulled the trigger. I ordered from LMI the long shanked cutter for my router, appropriately sized bearing and 1 curly maple binding. Here is where the commedy of errors started... I "thought" ordering 1 binding would be fine because I "thought" it was sold as a SET (2 pieces, top and bottom). Approximately $70.00 later ($15.00 for shipping) I got my package from LMI. I was all excited and opened it up and found 1 cutter, 1 bearing and 1 piece of curly maple binding! I said, I thought it was a set and told Annemarie and Willie I have to get another piece and pay another $8.00 in shipping. Called the guy at LMI, explained my situation and they basically told me, my error and they could do nothing to help me. OK, it was worth a try with the call... I went to place another order for the 2'nd piece of binding that I need and I figured I would be smart and order an extra piece just because I am so smart!... I ordered 2 pieces. I went to my shop last night, set up my router with my new cutter and bearing, practice a cut on a 2X2 scrap piece and went towards my mahogany body I just spent 2 1/2 months building... Steadying my hands I went for the first cut... Came out pretty good... I routed the whole bottom binding channel and took it upstairs to show all proud as a peacock!... I was showing my family and saying it will be sooo nice, then I said, let me start at the back of the guitar with the middle of the binding piece and just make sure it is LONG ENOUGH to fit around the whole bottom of the guitar... IT ISN'T... I need 3 MORE pieces of binding and I just ordered 2 a few days ago. So I will have to order ANOTHER piece of $ 3.50 binding from LMI and pay $8.00 in shipping... It is really nice binding and I can't wait to glue it on. I will show pictures as soon as I get it done. Thanks for all the help...

Lesson - Dreads need 4 pieces of binding ordered from LMI.

Sincerely,
Rich

[tippie53]

You should have called me.
I sell binding $10 for the set $20 bent.
Oh well you have learned something and what is more , I am sure you won't make those mistakes again
post pics it is nice to see others work

[justrfb]

Hey John,
Thanks for the reply... I wish I had known when I called you. I guess another lesson, I should have asked... O-well, next time... Annemarie has already said, "I am sure there will be another one..."

Sincerely,
Rich

[tippie53]

it is all good so you are learning

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Rich,
We have probably all been there in one way or another. I am famous for placing an order, after meticulously making my list, being sure not to forget anything that I need for what I'm working on, only to think of one more Item I HAD to have, right after I place the order, or at least the next day!! Frustrating, but part of the process I guess.
I now try to think ahead and have plenty of parts on hand for at least a couple of guitars.
Show us some pics of what you got goin on!!

Kevin

[johnnparchem]

Did you have LMI bend the bindings for you? Given that you are building your first kit I was wondering how you were bending it.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Sounds like it John, that's why his cost was so high

Kevin

[johnnparchem]

Sounds like it John, that's why his cost was so high.

Kevin

well ...

"So I will have to order ANOTHER piece of $ 3.50 binding from LMI and pay $8.00 in shipping... "

I thought the high cost was for the router bit, bearing and 1 strip.

If the bindings are not bent I would suggest ordering 4 more strips bent from John unless you have a bending iron.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

ohh, oops, missed that.

Kevin

[justrfb]

Hello again...
I bought straight pieces and am bending as I go... I come from a RC plane kit building hobby. If you have ever built air planes (or any other wood kit models) from a box of wood, you know you have to bend small pieces similar to binding on a guitar, all the time. You have to bend sheeting around the fuse, stringers through forms and especially strips of wood around wing tips and tail pieces... Granted, it is probably much easier to get the binding pieces pre-bent but to be frank, I didn't even know that was an option! (still new to guitar building...)... It takes time... I glued the back few inches with wood glue to the bottom, back of the guitar, taped securely and bent the rest around in a big loop to the top back of the guitar and left it. Went back down last night (with a cup of water) and glued the next several inches, headed towards the waist and taped it very securely. Dipped my finger in the water, shook it off and dampened the rest of the binding piece. Softened it up a bit and taped it all the way around in the binding channel to form it. Will go down tonight and glue the whole thing in. That is basically how I am getting the first piece of binding on the guitar... I will probably try to do it all in one step next piece but not sure how that will go... I am taking my time with the build and don't move to the next step until I am done with this step. I am way ahead of myself... It takes me a very long time to finish a plane! I am on this 1st guitar build, just 2 1/2 months into it and I am "this close" to starting the finish and it has been a transcendent journey all along, that could not be done without the fine help of all of you. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Rich