Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by A.D.EKER 6 hours ago. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango yesterday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods on Saturday. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!
Comment Wall (2 comments)
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Join Cigar Box Nation
Tristan,
One more thing. Steam will burn you bad. I know from experience. Craig.
Hi Tristan,
Something to consider: When you bend the top to the "ribs", the top will not reach all the way to the outer edge of the sides. To prevent this from happening, you may want to first shorten the end pieces by a little. Take off, maybe 1/8 inch from each end of the end pieces. This narrows the box a little.
To curve the top, I cut about a 1/4 inch off the top of the sides,(depending on how much of a curve you want) then lay the side piece over the end piece (bottoms flush) and make a mark on both ends of the end piece where the top of the side comes up. Now, remark that mark on the end pieces, about a 1/16 inch lower. This marks the bottom of the arch. Find and mark the top center of the end piece. Find something for a template to match the arch on the end piece, ie. a large plate, a dish pan,etc, or make one on power point, print it out and cut it out. The template should touch the marks at each edge of the end piece and just touch the top of the end piece at the center.
Using the template as a guide, draw the arch on the end piece on both sides. Make sure they are the same. This way if you have to flip the piece over in the process of cutting or trimming, you will still have your line to reference. If you want the bottom arched as well, it's pretty much the same process.
Once the sides and ends are cut, glue your side and ends together. Cut and install your end blocks, cut to match the arch.
I use the strips that I cut from the sides to form the kurfing. I glue them to the inside of the side pieces at the top, overhanging the top of the side by about 1/2 of the thickness. (Clamping them is a booger.) I then plane the strip and side top, on an angle equal to the angle, where the end arch meets the side.
Concerning the top: If your top is warped concave, it may give a lot of trouble bending it in the opposite direction. But with steam, persistence and luck you'll probably succeed. Though sometime you may have to give in and flip the top.. This would be a rare occasion. Most of the tops that I have installed, I didn't even need steam. It's good advice to inspect the top for cracks and repair them before attempting installation.
Dry fit the top to the ribs gently applying pressure to the sides. If it feels like it doesn't want to continue to bend, apply steam to it. Once you know that it will fit, glue an clamp it. Clamp the top at the center at the ends first. Cut your sound holes, install the bass bar, mortice and install the neck and back and you're ready to go.
I hope this makes sense. Of course, all of this is dependent on the size of the box, what kind of box you're using and what you want to accomplish. If you're looking to build an acoustic instrument, the above is relevant, but if you're going for electric, some of it may not apply. In any case, this is what I've figured out and I hope it helps. Thanks for the interest. Craig