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I'm on #4 and so far it is turning out great - first couple coats of pre-cat sanding sealer sprayed. While I'm waiting on finishing and doing the bridge, I'm going to start on #5.

What I'm still having issues with is keeping a consistent binding width. I use the LMI binding jig and get a great cut. The binding seats nicely with no discernible gaps (that can't be fixed that is) after glued. BUT when scraping/sanding flush, I can't for the life of me keep a consistent thickness after I'm done. It is thinner in spots (usually around the waist) and thicker at the butt. It is something that I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong other than just practice/skill. I see a lot of your guitars with VERY EVEN binding widths and I'm wondering if it is just a matter of skill or if I may be doing something wrong?

Would running a flush trim bit using the binding jig work? Do you all use just a scraper? Maybe the binding channel doesn't have an even depth all the way around due to the radius and it manifests itself after binding. I like contrasting binding with purfling on both top and bottom.

Anyway, any advice would be helpful for the next build starting this weekend.

Happy New Year to all and Happy Building!
Steve

This was my biggest problem till I really started to level my sides before cutting binding channels...

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I will definitely pay more attention to this.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve: After gluing your binding and before clean up is the binding showing an even height proud of the top and back.Worth checking out to make sure your problem is not varying height on the sides. Also a quick measurment of ledge height before binding installation may give some insight.
Tom

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To add to this , I also find you want the binding to be just under the side . It seems when you have to scrape a binding you run the risk of making it appear squeezed. I always set the binding just so I can feel a slight ridge at the side.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
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This was my biggest finishing problem also, until I started doing what Todd and Rod said,
and started sanding my sides level and smooth before I did the binding cuts and application.

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Gene

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