Martin D-18ish Acoustic Build

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Jumping ahead more than a few steps with this pic. Back bracing is complete and the label has been applied.

[Chocol8]

This is SOOOO far beyond my skill set I am just going to watch in awe!

[TheIrritableLuthier]

The back fitted and glued in place, prior to trimming.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

All trimmed up.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

The last thing I did before I shelved this before winter. Installing the end flash.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Picking back up on the build after winter, it was time to start the binding. Here I'm thinning the binding down to dimension on my drum sander.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Next is to glue on some BWB purfling.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Then into the bender.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Unfortunately, this happened in the bender. I'm applying heat and moisture to a glue joint so there's always a risk of something like this happening.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

To fix it I cut off the mangled piece of purfling, bent a replacement piece on my DIY hot pipe and glued it back in place.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

With that sorted, it was time to route binding channels.

[Rollin Hand]

Intellectually I know this is just woodworking, but hot damn this is impressive. Thoroughly enjoying this, as I always enjoy watching someone skilled do something that I can't. Awesome job.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Intellectually I know this is just woodworking, but hot damn this is impressive. Thoroughly enjoying this, as I always enjoy watching someone skilled do something that I can't. Awesome job.

Thanks!

[TheIrritableLuthier]

First pass with the router.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Last pass to accommodate both the binding and a layer of purfling.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

The final pass to allow the full depth of the binding.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Here I'm mitering the ends prior to glue up.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

The first half of the binding all glued up.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Half way there.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Repeat side two.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

After tons of scraping and sanding, here's the final state of the binding.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

One final step. Routing the dovetail socket.

[UrenragK]

Wow, that's looking beautiful!

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Time to start working on a neck. This will be a 3 piece mahogany neck, with a scarf joint at the headstock.

[TheIrritableLuthier]

Here is my scarf joint jig for the table saw in action on a practice piece.