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Nowadays when I glue the top or back on a guitar with hot hide glue, I have a method of clamping that allows me to get it done in a hurry, and speed is definately a factor with HHG. I made a pad from 1/2" thick styrofoam construction insulation. I cut it out in the shape of the guitar I'm building. Then I cut another in the same shape and then cut out the middle leaving only the outside 1 inch or so and glue that to the first pad.
I lay that pad with the rim side up in my radius dish and but the back or top on it and then set the guitar side in the mold, on top of that. I use 4 concrete garden borders for weights to push down on the sides and the pad gives just enough to allow the sides and top or back to conform and make a perfect fit. So take it all apart and spread your glue, put it back in the stack just like it was and the clamps take 10 seconds to apply. I can have the whole operation done in 40 seconds flat.




Another HHG tip is for glueing with the go deck. Anytime you locate a brace or whatever, use a go stick or two to hold a blank piece of wood right next to where your brace will go. They you spread your glue and you have a marker to set your brace against and then as you hold your brace just transfer the go-stick from the blank to the brace and your good to go. I usually put all the sticks I'll be using on the blank piece and then I just have to move the bottom end of the stick 1/2" to the side and it's there.
Your can also put a block at the end of your brace to keep it from sliding that way as well. Just make shure you remove them after your brace or whatever is clamped.
Hope this helps.John How39064.9196643519

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

[QUOTE=Hesh1956] John this is VERY interesting.

Any chance of getting more pics of the jig that you made to do this please?
[/QUOTE]

Yes I can do that but it's just a guitar shaped pad that is doubled around the edge creating a 1" ledge around the perimeter.John How39064.9151736111

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Man, that's smart. Saves all that clamping time!

Nice, John...makes a lot of sense and it sure eliminates a few steps. I hope Deb doesn't miss the garden blocks!

BTW, I'm evaluating Fish Glue for the plates. If it works, I'll be able to drink 2 Sierra Pale Ales before I need to get everything clamped down

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

John, I'd seen (or heard) the tip about the extra brace right beside the one that will be permanent. It's a great idea. Of course, with the onset of mad cow, I can't remember anything anymore, so your tip is greatly appreciated.

And, when someone else posts this idea in a couple of years, I'll appreciate it just as much then!

Thanks bud,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks for the tips John.
It sounds quicker for sure!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Great idea John, thanks for sharing!

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] Nice, John...makes a lot of sense and it sure eliminates a few steps. I hope Deb doesn't miss the garden blocks![/QUOTE]
She doesn't make it down to the shop too often so I'm not worried.

[QUOTE=JJ Donohue] BTW, I'm evaluating Fish Glue for the plates. If it works, I'll be able to drink 2 Sierra Pale Ales before I need to get everything clamped down [/QUOTE]

I just ordered some fish glue myself. I'm gonna try it for glueing in the linings. When I use HHG, I have to put them on in pieces because I can't get them in fast enough so Fish might be the answer there.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Here's my tip on the linings.

1) Pre-bend the linings in the bender.
2) Clamp the mold in a vise sideways with the rims in the mold. Let gravity work for you.
3) Lay out the linings on the rim and clamp in a few places. Trim to length.
4) Brush on glue for 4-6" on both sides
5) Position liner section and clamp
6) Move along until done

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Mmmmm, interesting your thought prevoking as usual John. Two very good tips in one thread. Your a .......

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

John, love that curly african mahogany

I am doing an OM with that stuff also right now, I love it.

thanks for the extra brace tip, that beats just holding em down until you can reach for the go-bar.

Matt

John,
I love your KIS approach to problem solving I'll be using these ideas.Thanks

[QUOTE=John How]Another HHG tip is for glueing with the go deck. Anytime you locate a brace or whatever, use a go stick or two to hold a blank piece of wood right next to where your brace will go. They you spread your glue and you have a marker to set your brace against[/QUOTE]

I do something very similar except that I use a piece of UHMW and leave it in there till the glue dries. You really can't go wrong!