Back Bracing

     Back bracing work is done. Back bracing material is Sitka Spruce. Sitka has very good straight grain. Also, Sitka is the strongest spruce materials. I have been using the Sitka spruce for the back bracing. My back has 5x5 lattice bracing. Lattice bracing is very easy to install by using the vacuum bagging technique. Also, the lattice back bracing makes really beautiful 12' radius domed back. My back has relatively strong doming of 12' radius. So, the lattice bracing is the best for supporting back strongly without weigh increase penalty. 

     Next step is the slide making. I will laminate sides between African Padauk and the Alaskan yellow cedar. 

Bracing work 2

 Sound board bracing work is still on going. Now, installing all bracing bars is completed. Traditional way of making top is using a Go-bar technique for non shaped bracing wood gluing. Them, all bracings are shaped. However, I always shape bracings before installing. This technique enables to shape bracing bars very aggressive way. Unlike the go-bar technique, the vacuum clamping method enables to install shaped bracing bars. I usually leave the top couple of weeks after complete the bracing installation. Then, I will take scalloping for all bracing bars. 

Next step is making the back using the lattice bracing. 

Bracing work

 I start working on the bracing work for the top. Bracing work starts with the bridge plate install. I selected the Padauk for the bridge plate material. Then, I re-saw the bracing material from Adirondack logs. For the X-bracing material, I selected carefully to obtain the best straight grained piece. I usually shape the bracing material before install to the top. Then, I install X-bracing using a vacuum bag technique. I apply glue for both the bracing wood and the top for the void free gluing. This technique requires extra work for the excess glue cleaning. However, I am able to get the best glue joints.