Kenneth Michael Guitars est.1978
| KMG "Success Kit" Gluing the Back |
Once the edges of the top have been
trimmed even with the sides, the rim
can be repositioned in the mold in
preparation for gluing on the back.
trimmed even with the sides, the rim
can be repositioned in the mold in
preparation for gluing on the back.
Place the back on the rim to temporally
secure with rubber bands. Check to
make sure the back center
reinforcement strip clears the neck and
tail block --- trim if necessary.
secure with rubber bands. Check to
make sure the back center
reinforcement strip clears the neck and
tail block --- trim if necessary.
Carefully adjust the back to make sure
the center seam of the back aligns with
the centerlines of the upper and lower
bouts.
the center seam of the back aligns with
the centerlines of the upper and lower
bouts.
With a sharp pencil mark the intersection points of both edges of each back brace. Use
a straight edge to connect these marks and draw a line across the kerfing. Mark the
notch depth line as described in the top assembly section.
a straight edge to connect these marks and draw a line across the kerfing. Mark the
notch depth line as described in the top assembly section.
| Score the depth of each notch with a utility knife LEAVING the line. |
Make multiple cuts with a razor saw at each notch. Chip out the notch with a small
chisel, if necessary smooth the notches with a small file or sand paper.
chisel, if necessary smooth the notches with a small file or sand paper.
Rubber band the back to the rim and check to make sure all the notches are deep
enough the notches should act as location tabs helping to center the back.
enough the notches should act as location tabs helping to center the back.
Make a practice run, clamping the back to the rim using the special caul. It is not
necessary to install all the screws at this time
necessary to install all the screws at this time
Once satisfied with the back fit and alignment, remove the caul. Apply glue along the
kerfing, use your finger or a stick to push the glue off the inside edge of the kerfing.
This will minimize the squeeze out on the inside of the guitar and the difficulties involved
in clean up.
kerfing, use your finger or a stick to push the glue off the inside edge of the kerfing.
This will minimize the squeeze out on the inside of the guitar and the difficulties involved
in clean up.
Apply glue to the neck and tail blocks using the same strategy of keeping the glue off
the inside edges.
the inside edges.
Apply the clamping caul, install the screws all around the perimeter – slowly tighten
exert even pressure along the entire rim. A small amount of glue squeeze out should
appear. Clean up the glue squeeze out and visually check for perfect rim to back
contact
exert even pressure along the entire rim. A small amount of glue squeeze out should
appear. Clean up the glue squeeze out and visually check for perfect rim to back
contact
Check for perfect contact at the neck block looking through the sound hole. Clean up
any glue squeeze out.
any glue squeeze out.
