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Author:  Cocephus [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:14 pm ]
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Salutations to all. I finished scalloping the braces on my first OM last week. I was feeling pretty smug with myself on the outcome until (gasp) the arch had dissappeared and actually reversed after all that work!
After a few days of staring at it in dissapointment, the arch seems to be coming back in the right direction. Would this be due to stress relief and high humidity? Will the Wood Gods be kind and make the top usable?
Author:  LanceK [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:20 pm ]
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Greetings Coe! And welcome to the OLF.
I think your top will be fine, but id be inclined to get it properly acclimated to what ever RH you braced it in before gluing it to the rims. Dose your shop have a consistant environment? What RH are you building in?
Author:  Cocephus [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:41 pm ]
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Actually, my shop can be controlled, but I`m really a nature nut and open the overhead door almost every day.
My shop is a converted two-car garage (much to my wife`s chagrin). I really didn`t think that humidity would have that much effect on things, as the shop is dry as a bone and some humidity might be a little help in keeping things from getting brittle and prone to splits and cracks. Seems like my joints are getting that way these days!
Thanks for the prompt reply. That was my first post.
Author:  LanceK [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:00 pm ]
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Coe,
I use to work in my garage too, Id store my wood in my basement 72 degrees + or- a few degrees and a pretty constant 42 to 45 RH, there were many Saturday afternoons when id bring up a top to join and before I could get it in the clamps it was a potato chip! IT dont take to much to effect a thin slice of wood. Now I have a shop in my basement, dry can cool year around However, I do miss opening up the big door and feeling like I was working outside.
Author:  Cocephus [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:11 pm ]
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Thanks for the reply, Lance. I now have another scenario to contemplate. I also have about another thousand questions (sheesh-Greenhorns). Shall I post a new topic pertaining to the subject at hand? (finger board material is next).
Author:  LanceK [ Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:15 pm ]
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Coe, post away!!! Greenhorns allowed!
Author:  Mario [ Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:53 am ]
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Relative humidity on acoustic guitars is critical! The most important tool you'll own is your hygrometer. Get at least 3 of them. Two for the shop, one for outside the shop. Do not open your big door unless the great outdoors is within the rather narrow range of 42-47% RH.

A guitar's top can change dimensions by nearly 1/4" in width simply with humidity changes. What you saw was mild compared to what can really happen. When in doubt, stay to the dry side, not the wet.

Now, another little tip: do not brace your top, or back, until you have the sides ready to accept them. You want to fix your braced top(or back) to the sides as soon as they are braced.
Author:  Colin S [ Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:08 am ]
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[QUOTE=Mario]

Now, another little tip: do not brace your top, or back, until you have the sides ready to accept them. You want to fix your braced top(or back) to the sides as soon as they are braced. [/QUOTE]

Excellent tip Mario, but then they usually are.

Colin
Author:  Don Williams [ Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:08 am ]
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VERY good advice, Mario.
Author:  Cocephus [ Mon Jul 25, 2005 1:14 am ]
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I should have seen that one coming! I`m constantly telling the inexperienced at work to get thier doors and other paneled products assembled as soon as they come out of the shaper! Just letting parts sit overnight has a pretty substantial impact on proper fit and trueness, let alone a weather change!
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