Making An Archtop Guitar: Part 2 - The Sides

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Plans are available at:
www.cranmerguitars.co.uk/plans
Here I am bookmatching and thicknessing the sides before they are bent on a hot bending iron. Next, the top and bottom blocks are shaped and glued to the ribs in the mould. After this, the linings are prepared and kerfed on the bandsaw. Finally, the side braces are made and glued.
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[@mariosmarkidisluthiery8025]

Man I love your minimal approach to power tools and how you decide to work. Great work, very inspiring. Hope to make a guitar like this one day! !!

[@ryanwolstencroft]

Hypnotizing video. I loved hearing Built to Spill spilling from your headphones near the 17:25 mark. It's one of my favorites.

[@CMRWoodworks]

Awesome stuff man. Just found your series. I’ll plan on finishing it over the next few days. I plan on building an archtop at some point. I enjoy seeing your process and picking up things to use on my next build. One of them is using a caliper to get the exact measurements for the side struts. I just cut mine about at the length then took forever sanding each one down to fit perfectly. Thanks for the videos!

[@symonf1966]

Great video and and outstanding work.

[@GerasimosHandmadeGuitars]

I have always wondered, cant the sides be done by glueing 4-5 veneers with each other... Ps i so admire your work! Its so relaxed and pleasant to watch over and over again!

[@fusion-music]

Most enjoyable

[@ringwolfgang4486]

Do you really work the bending iron with your bare hands? You must have Asbest fingers 🙂
I really admire your craftsmanship! Thanks a lot for the video!

[@kenwhitley7420]

Where did you buy the dial indicator that reads in inches. I can't find one.
Thanks,
Ken

[@lloydpittonet]

How long would you say it takes for you to complete bending the sides?

[@CranmerGuitars]

Probably a day, and then I like to come back a few days later to dial everything in as the wood moves

[@stephenwhite9534]

Where can I get a set of plans to build one myself

[@CranmerGuitars]

There's a link the description

[@jimmybrown380]

I’m new to making this kind of guitar. I keep cracking the tight curves and can’t figure out what i’m doing wrong. I watch videos but i’m just missing something.
any help would be appreciated

[@CranmerGuitars]

Try soaking the tighter bits in warm water and fabric softener for 10 minutes before bending

[@Phoenix-1278]

So.… What's the technique for being able to form the sides on the iron, how does the wood not snap?