Beau Hannam Ukuleles
Well-known member
My method for laminating sides (guitars and ukes)
GLUES-
I use Titebond 1 (redcap) as I don't have to wear gloves as you have to when using Epoxy or the Gorilla poly foaming glue stuff. It all works. Epoxy has the benefit of having no water content (hence why i use it the glue the fingerboard to the neck) but as i don't get any problems laminating sides with T1 i don't find it necessary to use epoxy.
WOOD THICKNESSES--
There is no correct (or even best) thicknesses but I use thinner pieces for ease of hand bending.
My total side + solid lining thickness is about 8mm which is what typical single sides + factory kerfed linings are.
~ My typical layup is 0.070" outer (1st), 0.060" middle (2nd) and 0.020" (3rd) inner veneer.
~ Some luthiers do 0.080" and 0.080" or 0.050" and 0.20"
~ Other luthiers do a 0.070" outer, a 1/4" thick inner kerfed core and 0.020" veneer (for a total of about 8mm)
~ PS- Torres did just one side of 0.040"!!!- super thin.
2 or 3 PLY??
~ I do both.
~ I only do 3 ply if the 2nd layer doesn't match the 1st outer layer. So if my 1st outer layer is rosewood, and my second layer is mahogany, I would add a 3rd layer of rosewood veneer to vaguely match the outer. (you could also stain the mahogany a darker rosewood colour but that can get messy).
~ If I did a brazilian rosewood 1st outer layer and an indian rosewood 2nd layer, I would probably leave it at a 2 ply.
~- if the 1st layer is koa and the 2nd layer is rosewood, i would add a 3rd inner layer of something like maple (which would get some golden shellac), or mahogany or even some plain koa veneer- just anywood to vaguely match the general color of Koa.
~ Some do a black 3rd layer which can look nice but I like the inside back to vaguely match the inner sides if you are glancing at it.
In this video i had Paulownia (1st) + indian rosewood (2nd), so to match it up I added a maple 3rd inner.
CAULS-
There are many ways go about using cauls- Thin strips of plywood with cork, segments of the shape, or a full inner caul- I've used all- the full inner caul is best but takes a bit of work to fit correctly and you are locked in to the side thickness. I would suggest using the strips of ply until you know what side thickness you like.
You can also use a vacuum bag- but I don't.
GLUES-
I use Titebond 1 (redcap) as I don't have to wear gloves as you have to when using Epoxy or the Gorilla poly foaming glue stuff. It all works. Epoxy has the benefit of having no water content (hence why i use it the glue the fingerboard to the neck) but as i don't get any problems laminating sides with T1 i don't find it necessary to use epoxy.
WOOD THICKNESSES--
There is no correct (or even best) thicknesses but I use thinner pieces for ease of hand bending.
My total side + solid lining thickness is about 8mm which is what typical single sides + factory kerfed linings are.
~ My typical layup is 0.070" outer (1st), 0.060" middle (2nd) and 0.020" (3rd) inner veneer.
~ Some luthiers do 0.080" and 0.080" or 0.050" and 0.20"
~ Other luthiers do a 0.070" outer, a 1/4" thick inner kerfed core and 0.020" veneer (for a total of about 8mm)
~ PS- Torres did just one side of 0.040"!!!- super thin.
2 or 3 PLY??
~ I do both.
~ I only do 3 ply if the 2nd layer doesn't match the 1st outer layer. So if my 1st outer layer is rosewood, and my second layer is mahogany, I would add a 3rd layer of rosewood veneer to vaguely match the outer. (you could also stain the mahogany a darker rosewood colour but that can get messy).
~ If I did a brazilian rosewood 1st outer layer and an indian rosewood 2nd layer, I would probably leave it at a 2 ply.
~- if the 1st layer is koa and the 2nd layer is rosewood, i would add a 3rd inner layer of something like maple (which would get some golden shellac), or mahogany or even some plain koa veneer- just anywood to vaguely match the general color of Koa.
~ Some do a black 3rd layer which can look nice but I like the inside back to vaguely match the inner sides if you are glancing at it.
In this video i had Paulownia (1st) + indian rosewood (2nd), so to match it up I added a maple 3rd inner.
CAULS-
There are many ways go about using cauls- Thin strips of plywood with cork, segments of the shape, or a full inner caul- I've used all- the full inner caul is best but takes a bit of work to fit correctly and you are locked in to the side thickness. I would suggest using the strips of ply until you know what side thickness you like.
You can also use a vacuum bag- but I don't.
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