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I have been building my first Archtop on and off for quite awhile. I recently glued the top on this project and this happened. Is there a fix for something like this ? Possible heat or steam ? Taking it apart is out of the question, so please reply with that in mind. This is the side of the guitar close to the waist at the lower bout.

Thanks in advance
Mike

". . . and this happened." LOL. I'm not laughing at your misfortune; I am laughing at your strategic use of the passive voice. Sounds like there's a story in there somewhere . . . .

As for the solution, I would need to see more pictures to get a better sense of what you are dealing with. This is so close-up that I can't tell the magnitude, etc. It's possible to fix some moderate side cracks without an inside clamp like this:

1) Tape some wax paper to a block of wood.

2) Flood some CA in and around the crack.

3) Spray some accelerator on the wax paper.

4) Use the block of wood to press the wax paper/accelerator onto the crack with enough force that the crack is pretty well closed, and hold it for five or ten seconds.

5) Sand the crack smooth and see how it comes out.

If that doesn't work, it's not the end of the world to cut off the back and top plates and make a new set of rims.

I agree, tough to get oriented with that picture but if it is the way I think I'd make matching inside and outside cauls, line them with gasket cork. Do a trial clamp up and if OK use your adhesive of choice and clamp er' up tight.

Sand smooth and use an opaque finish. No way to cover the defect with a translucent finish. Is it going to be an electric archtop with laminated plates?

Why isn't re-doing the rimset an option?

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I am thoroughly confused. I'm seeing your closeup in the same album as what I take to be a finished solid body guitar. Is your side crack in a different instrument? IF so, it seems to me you've got a couple of very good suggestions already.

sorry about that. I just uploaded the pic to an old album. I should have started a new album for the archtop. The suggestions are very helpful. I will try them soon.

The photo looks like a bad cut of meat - not a guitar.
Based on what's shown, I'd advise you to change your butcher.

Love that hot rod in your pics.

"Change your butcher" made me laugh--presumably a reference to the wood supplier. I'm not sure what you're dealing with there, but it looks to me like the crack was probably always there and didn't reveal itself until the wood was bent. Possibly a wind shake or fungus along a grain line. Regardless, I'm in the group that thinks you can fix it. At least it's worth a shot. After glueing the crack, you might consider a small veneer reinforcement inside, too. It is possible that your glue will stain the wood in a way that is hard to disguise. But, it's near the waist so you could use a sunburst finish to shade that area. Furthermore, if the guitar is for your personal use, remember this: It'll be on the underside most of the time, and you (and we) will be the only ones who know it's there! Try the fix and see if you're satisfied with it. If not, you can bend a new set of rims. Moving the top over to new rims is a hassle, but you can do it and in the long run you might be much happier having done that. Whatever you do, best of luck with it! I love arch tops. Show it to us when you're finished!

I was able to separate the glue joint at the point of the problem, I will be re-gluing per the suggestions given previously. Thanks. Here a few photos of the ongoing project in the newly created Album.



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Thanks, It now lives in Big Sur with its new owner. Had to make room in the shop for more tools.

Now I see what you're doing...and I think it's very cool. A "pallet" wood guitar. I also see that I previously misunderstood the location of your side crack. I thought it was on the other side. No matter. Good save. I think this is going to turn out great. I sure want to see it when it's finished. Nice going!