Gluing Bookmatched Maple

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Let me start this by saying I searched for 20 minutes for an existing topic on this and could not find one specifically answering my question.

I have a 1/4" bookmatched flamed maple top that I am putting on my semi-hollow body I am building. Right now I have the main part of the body cut out, edges routed, and cavities routed, basically ready for the maple cap to be glued on. Before I do so, I am assuming that I need to glue the edges of the maple together first, cut and route it to fit the shape of the body, and glue it to the main body wood.

That brings me to my question: how do I glue the edges of the maple together properly? My thoughts are to wedge the outside edges with something so that the total width of the wedges are <1/2mm of the width of the actual two boards together, apply the glue to the edges to be joined, and push down so that the wedges/fences apply pressure. Am I wrong? How should I be doing this?

[rhoads56]

Should be pretty easy to see from those two pics, how i do it.

[Hector]

I am assuming that I need to glue the edges of the maple together first, --------------right!!

cut and route it to fit the shape of the body,

and glue it to the main body wood. --------------------------I would cut the shape leaving some wood in the perimeter, glue that and then route off the excess.

there are many many ways to do that.

here's some I found on the web.

1

another one

one more

and here's the method I use

Edited April 24, 2007 by Hector

[fryovanni]

First glue your set together. Then surface the bookmatched top(nice and flat). Then transpose the shape of your body onto the bookmatched set(be sure you align the set so that it is centered on the body, this is important so your seam is right down the middle). Then cut the shape out(leaving a little more than 1/8" all the way around the outside). Glue the top to the body(again be sure you keep the seam centered). Then route around the body(use a template bit) to make a perfectly matched top/body.

As far as the best method for joining wood(tops,body blanks, soundboards). First be sure the wood is surfaced flat, and prepair the edges to be glued(be sure they are a tight clean fit).You can do a search for more topics on prepairing joints, but here is one-joints. As far as clamping there are several methods. Some like using wedges, some like bars and clamps. I picked up a set of clamps that handle this task extreamly wellclamps

This is a pic the clamps(the set is a bookmatched .085" acoustic back set)

Note the clamps both press the set together and press it flat. These clamps can be purchased form Rocklers, Woodcrafters and other woodworking stores. Hope that helps.

Peace,Rich

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thanks so much guys, thats what i was looking for!