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Construction - Binding 1
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1 Rims
2 Carving 1
3 Carving 2
4 Graduation		 5 Tone Bars
6 f-holes
7 Peghead Overlay 1
8 Peghead Overlay 2		 09 Body Assembly 1
10 Body Assembly 2
11 Binding 1
12 Binding 2		 13 Inlay
14 Dovetail 1
15 Dovetail 2
16 Dovetail 3		 17 Staining 1
18 Staining 2
19 Finishing 1
20 Finishing 2
21 Finishing 3
1

Binding the body entails:

  1. Cutting a ledge in the top and back to accept the binding (rabiting in woodworking terms).
  2. Bending the binding to fit the body shape.
  3. Mitering the numerous joints where the pieces of binding meet.
  4. Gluing the binding in place.

Number 4 and 5 are not particularly difficult. Number 2 is manageable.  Number 1 can be a bear!

The picture here and below depict a typical set-up for a router table.

Over the years, cutting the rabit was often done by hand—not a lot fun, but low cost and ultimately controllable. Though efficiencies from a router or Dremel are obvious, the effect of noise and vibrations on glue joints, tone wood, and builder are uncertain.

FYI, though the router table is used for much of the cutting, the end grain at the butt of the instrument is still removed by hand. Even with a sharp router bit, the vibrations seem too intense.

2

 

 

A close-up of the router table.

 

 

 

 

 

Even after removing as much wood as possible with the router, a lot of work remains. As with other aspects of the process, maintaining the integrity of various lines and curves is foremost.

3

 

Fashioning the binding ledge in the tighter curves depends on various knives, chisels, and rasps. A Dremel may also help.
4