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| Styrofoam Caul? http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23162 |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Styrofoam Caul? |
I was HHG gluing some .050" ebony veneer to the inside of the upper bout for a sound port backing and was thinking of a quick way to make a clamping caul for it. I remembered back to my Discus fish breeding days when I used styrofoam under the aquariums to level them out from uneven surfaces. So I bent the veneer on the Ibex and I glued a piece of Styrofoam to a piece of wood and clamped it up. Perhaps this might come in handy for some other things. I understand this might not work in a situation where a lot of pressure is needed for a long time because the foam will compress and conform to the shape and may loose the clamping pressure. But it seems to work in this case. |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
After one hour the strofoam conformed to the shape but it was long enought to let the glue set and hold. But I wonder if this might have possibilities for making contour sanding blocks? Some food for thought and something to play around with I guess. |
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| Author: | Wes McMillian [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:32 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
Works great, that's how I do my soundport reinforcements. They can be shaped but, like you, I leave 'em a little flatter to be sure and get the edges down good. |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
The fact that it conformed to the shape I thought was the advantage of not needing to shape it. I just cut a 2" piece in half on the bandsaw and didn't really shape it any. I think it looks that way because i clamped it once before I took the picture of it. But it's nice to see that great minds think alike. 
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| Author: | mikemcnerney [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
I have been using styro cauls for decades for sanding blocks, they are really fast for making a profile as in any shape moulding. I now use them in guitar work when sanding areas like the sides at the waste and at the neck heel. Mike McNerney |
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| Author: | wbergman [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
I have seen some relatively dense and strong styrofoam. The carpet cleaner used blocks of this to set the furnature legs on until the rug dried. In the first article I read years ago on vacuum clamping bridges, the method included making exact fitting styrofoam cauls with a two-part mix that generated the styrofoam. |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
Well, am I at least the first one to post this tip on the forum? 
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
I use the styrofoam blocks the carpet cleaners put under the legs of your furniture. It's a little more dense and It's better than just throwing them away. |
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| Author: | Dave Anderson [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 9:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
Dave Rickard wrote: I use the styrofoam blocks the carpet cleaners put under the legs of your furniture. It's a little more dense and It's better than just throwing them away. Yeah,same here . I like using these for sanding blocks too. |
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| Author: | Chris Paulick [ Wed Jul 22, 2009 10:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Styrofoam Caul? |
I'm guessing that to make a contour shape from a dense piece of styrofoam you can attach sandpaper to the contour and sand the shape into the foam? |
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