2 concerns with No. 2 tenor build -size and kerfing glue job

ChuckBarnett · Feb 25, 2020

It looks like the body naturally rests a good 1/4" short of the length of the template and the top. I can force it longer or just go with it -I'd split the difference and not try to go to full length. Opinions?

The kerfing looks well glued in from the top but when I took clamps of and cleaned it up I find a lot of gaps. I used clothespins and sundry other clamps. I'm wondering about going to a different style of kerfing/lining? Should I take this apart or go with it as is?

Bless y'all!

Sam.R.B · Feb 25, 2020

This is one of the reasons I tend not to use kerfed lining that has such a large/sharp angled portion like that (nothing against people that do use them). If you used titebond glue, you can try and use some high acidity (~30%) vinegar to soften the glue to the point where you can re-clamp. Personally, I'm a big fan of solid linings, but a lot of that depends on how much of it you route away for binding. With no binding, I usually use basswood, about an 1/8" thick and 1/4" wide. A big appeal of solid linings to me is you can always just laminate another layer on and then carve it down after its been glued to the sides.

BuzzBD · Feb 25, 2020

Aloha Chuck, I would not bother to redo anything at this time, you are doing good for the second ukulele. The kerfing looks a bit oversized for a ukulele, making them a bit smaller would help. Also, wood clothes pins can be notched to better fit the kerfings and wrap them with rubber bands for additional clamping strength.
Brad

printer2 · Feb 25, 2020

Just squeeze a little glue in from the bottom and they will be fine. On the length, don't worry too much, the uke will not know it. As long as you get the bridge in the right place.

ChuckBarnett · Feb 25, 2020

Sam.R.B said:
This is one of the reasons I tend not to use kerfed lining that has such a large/sharp angled portion like that (nothing against people that do use them). If you used titebond glue, you can try and use some high acidity (~30%) vinegar to soften the glue to the point where you can re-clamp. Personally, I'm a big fan of solid linings, but a lot of that depends on how much of it you route away for binding. With no binding, I usually use basswood, about an 1/8" thick and 1/4" wide. A big appeal of solid linings to me is you can always just laminate another layer on and then carve it down after its been glued to the sides.

Thanks for the great advice! Sounds like you've seen a few things! The vinegar thing sounds scary, I'd guess one would dribble some in/on at the gap points, give it time to work and then check by poking at the glue? My anxiety about putting vinegar on wood would need to be addressed by a bit of experimentation...
Speaking of which, I may experiment with solid linings next go-round.

ChuckBarnett · Feb 25, 2020

BuzzBD said:
Aloha Chuck, I would not bother to redo anything at this time, you are doing good for the second ukulele. The kerfing looks a bit oversized for a ukulele, making them a bit smaller would help. Also, wood clothes pins can be notched to better fit the kerfings and wrap them with rubber bands for additional clamping strength.
Brad

Brad, I got the dimensions for the kerfing watching Steve McLean's simple video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrHvGavb1eI
And in looking for that link, I discovered that I missed one by Ken Timms which I'll watch shortly!!

ChuckBarnett · Feb 25, 2020

printer2 said:
Just squeeze a little glue in from the bottom and they will be fine. On the length, don't worry too much, the uke will not know it. As long as you get the bridge in the right place.

Thanks for bringing me down to the planet again!

Brett S. · Feb 25, 2020

To me this is one of the pitfalls of making your own kerfed lining. I've never made any that I've been completely happy with, as it never is as consistent or accurate as the stuff I've bought. It doesn't bend enough (at times) in places, or it breaks. And clothespins alone really don't have enough power for this job.

ChuckBarnett · Feb 25, 2020

Brett S. said:
To me this is one of the pitfalls of making your own kerfed lining. I've never made any that I've been completely happy with, as it never is as consistent or accurate as the stuff I've bought. It doesn't bend enough (at times) in places, or it breaks. And clothespins alone really don't have enough power for this job.

Thanks, Brett. I have similar concerns about the quality of the kerfing. The top kerfing which is what is pictured was done without the aid of a jig I made. The bottom kerfing is much nicer and more consistent. When I built my first instrument I felt that I should do as much as possible from scratch. That would give me a greater appreciation of what it is I was doing. I am pretty sure that I will cut some corners down the road.

My clothes pin clamps were reinforced with rubber bands. I think that the issue is the shape of the jaw and how it matches the outside edge of the kerfing. Another option is to make kerfing that has no angle but is simply straight on either face and then reverse the smooth edge to the inside of the instrument. I think they call that reverse kerfing? I may mess around with that next build.

PetalumaRescuke · Feb 25, 2020

Grestch did not use kerfing on their Sopranos. The one I have seems to hold up well, as have others I have seen.

Brett S. · Feb 25, 2020

ChuckBarnett said:
When I built my first instrument I felt that I should do as much as possible from scratch.

I totally hear you and I've felt and done the same. But my attempts to make my own have been disappointing enough that I'm happy to buy it. And I was reading not long ago about Charlie Hoffman (guitars) who has been in the business a long time, and finally said heck with making his own linings, saying in effect "not worth it!" Not that I'm trying to convince you or anyone not to do it and I'm sure there have been plenty of people that have made perfectly satisfactory linings.

And furthermore, it's for all these things I've moved to solid linings anyway, which I'm really liking. :") But that said, my favorite kerfed linings from a place called "Bow River" came back in stock so I've ordered some. It's the nicest kerfed lining appropriately ukulele sized that I've been able to find anywhere, so I didn't want to miss out on getting more.

Red Cliff · Feb 25, 2020

As long as it doesn't move with a gentle poke of the finger then all is good - you don't want it vibrating and making weird noises.

Just my opinion, but you could make those blocks a fair bit smaller, they certainly are meaty.

ChuckBarnett · Feb 26, 2020

PetalumaRescuke said:
Grestch did not use kerfing on their Sopranos. The one I have seems to hold up well, as have others I have seen.

Do I understand you to say that the tops and backs are simply glued to the sides without any additional lining/kerfing glue surfaces?

PetalumaRescuke · Mar 1, 2020

checked again, Yup no kerfing Can't tell how thick the sides are, trap tests might indicate it is thicker than a 30s Martin.

2 concerns with No. 2 tenor build -size and kerfing glue job

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