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 Post subject: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:03 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
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Location: Alexandria MN
I was shaping back braces today and thought I’d share a couple of things that have worked for me.

To protect the back and center strip from damage when using a plane for shaping I double stick taped a couple of 1/8” ply boards to a strip of 1/32 plastic with a gap for the center strip. You could use Aluminum or shim stock too.

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When trimming ends to fit the notches putting tape on an Xacto saw prevents damage to the back or top when cutting.

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These users thanked the author Terence Kennedy for the post (total 2): klooker (Mon Feb 12, 2018 10:10 pm) • Braedyn (Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:11 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 7:08 pm 
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Koa
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Great idea! Thanks Terence.

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:16 pm 
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The masking tape idea is so obvious after you see it! That’s great, Terence - thanks!

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:28 pm 
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That's a couple of good ones, Terence!

Alex

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:11 am 
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Thanks Terence, good tips (as always) from your shop.
Recently blessed you again for the neck flossing acrylic "jig" thing http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=47895&p=633277&hilit=+neck+flossing#p633277

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:46 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Have you tried a safe edge chisel a la gore book ? . Grind off the edges . I use a 22 deg bevel and keep it super sharp, Then use a L/N vlnmakers plane or a stanley small rabett plane, or other small flat vlnmakers plane


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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:05 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
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Location: Alexandria MN
ernie wrote:
Have you tried a safe edge chisel a la gore book ? . Grind off the edges . I use a 22 deg bevel and keep it super sharp, Then use a L/N vlnmakers plane or a stanley small rabett plane, or other small flat vlnmakers plane


Have not Ernie. I do use a chisel to scallop the ends but usually hog off most of the wood for the profile with a block plane and finish the fine tuning with an Ibex finger plane which is really fun to use.

I have Trevor's books, I'll check that out.

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:07 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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For trimming brace ends I use a half moon blade on an oscillating tool. It's like an electric powered veneer saw. bliss


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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 4:43 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Good one Terry. I got some thin strips of stainless about 1-1/2" by 24" for bending mandolin ribs over a bender that I used to tape to the back.

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/To ... Strap.html

Looks like a mistake on the page as they show a mandolin strap in the first photo (that couldn't be 4" X 24").

I did most all my shaping on the good old 6 x 89 belt sander before gluing the braces onto the back. After that I did all my tuning by adjusting the heights and scallops, followed by resanding the brace by hand. The stainless slats made sanding a breeze.

Clay, the oscillating cutter sounds like a good idea, but I used to use the very sharp chisel back then. Lotsa ways to do anything.


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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 11:13 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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"Lotsa ways to do anything."

That's true Haans, and the more ways you know, the more options for getting things done.

For trimming brace ends down to go under the linings I will use a flat router wrench laid on the back or top plate and trim the brace flush with the top of the wrench. Then when cutting the "pockets" in the lining I will set the router bit depth by laying the wrench across the base of the router and adjust the cutter flush with the wrench.



These users thanked the author Clay S. for the post: Terence Kennedy (Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:15 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:25 pm 
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That works! I use a strip of plastic laminate. Works to. I just tape it in place.


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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:49 pm 
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Popsicle sticks. One on each side of the brace. They slide maintaining the depth when the chisel contacts them.



These users thanked the author CarlD for the post (total 2): Terence Kennedy (Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:46 pm) • Bryan Bear (Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:54 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:57 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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CarlD wrote:
Popsicle sticks. One on each side of the brace. They slide maintaining the depth when the chisel contacts them.


This is what I do as well. I would be worried about using anything metal for this. I would almost assuredly ruin my chisel. Then spend half an hour staring at the mesmerizing Tormek as it puts the edge back on. laughing6-hehe

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 Post subject: Re: Back Brace Ideas
PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:30 pm 
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Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 1:11 pm
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Good tip, Terence.


I like a veneer saw for brace ends.

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