Thicknessing Guitar Tops, Backs, and Sides by Hand

The hardest part of thinning guitar tops, backs, and sides (and lots of other parts of the guitar) by hand is holding them down. Here is my solution. The meat and potatoes of the whole thing starts about 5:30 in. If you are interested in learning more about hand building guitar, or just would like to see some of my work, follow the link to my website, www.queencityguitars.com/work...
and subscribe to this channel. There are more videos to come.
Like this video • Hand Thicknessing Guit... where I talk about hand planing to thickness (as opposed to holding boards down for thicknessing) and some thoughts on working with difficult woods.
If you liked this video, I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider making a small contribution to my channel. It takes a lot of time to make even a simple video in my workshop and just a few dollars here and there really helps me to continue making these in the future. You can send a contribution directly to me through pay pal here paypal.me/QueenCityGuitars thanks!

[@guaroshadow]

Thank you for sharing! Getting ready for my first build.

[@bajojohn]

This is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Thanks for watching!

[@arthomer6535]

Great idea. Just what I was looking for.

[@QueenCityGuitars]

That's great, glad to hear it was helpful!

[@oliverk191]

For people struggling, a schramm sanding disk works. It's a rotating disk that fits in your drill press. Schematics can be found on line and find a metal worker to put one together. Discovered this on the schramm website

[@robertfields1964]

Great advice! Thanks!

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Glad to hear it is useful, thanks for watching!

[@staniolpapier2]

This is pretty neat! 😊 great idea

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Thanks!

[@RmsPaintStudio]

Thx for share bro.

[@paulsigmon7263]

Awesome, appreciate you!

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Thanks, I'm hope the video is helpful!

[@jazzman1954]

Thanks! (A little hard to hear you speak) Great problem solve.

[@rickeydenler2385]

Great tip could have made this a 2 minute video instead of keeping it a secret for 8 minutes im so glad for fast forward !

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Well Rickey, I am a man on mystery. I'd say take it or leave it, but sounds like you already sorted that out. Happy building!

[@dassouki]

Can you do a video on thicknessing really hard boards such as curly maple by hand?

[@QueenCityGuitars]

I am actually going to be thicknessing an Indian rosewood back here shortly. I will see if I can get something about that recorded when I do it. Thanks for your suggestion!

[@Reginaldesq]

Masking tape and super glue (luthiers trick) works well but its difficult to peel off without snapping thin pieces. Your method looks good and I will try it. Thanks you.

[@QueenCityGuitars]

I have never heard of that trick, homemade double stick tape? I really like the toothpick method, it gives a firm hold, full plate access and you can pick up the plate and replace it many times for measuring without a lot of fuss.

[@Reginaldesq]

@@QueenCityGuitars I got it from Ben Crowe at Crimson guitars. Masking tape on each surface and then super glue them together. Very strong and easy clean up. The only issue is that the 2 surfaces can be difficult to peel apart. So I believe your method would be excellent for thin materials.

[@thewabisabicollective7170]

Twist the pieces sideways instead of trying to just peel up. Also a drywall/putty knife works great to slide under the work piece.

[@thewabisabicollective7170]

@@QueenCityGuitars masking tape trick is where its at for so many things. I prefer green frog tape, Med/thick CA(just a small dot on one side and spray activator on the other and apply pressure for 5 secs and done. For plate thicknessing though, I'm gonna try this toothpick magic, awesome idea!!!! working figured and very hard woods can be annoying with tape trick sometimes.(keep coming off etc)

[@MoGiMaL]

That's a damn great trick.

[@QueenCityGuitars]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@Galova]

my greatest problem now is not that I do not know how to hold. I've got not a single plane or chiesel currently. not a single tool damn it

[@thewabisabicollective7170]

Hey, I'd like to help ya out! I know whats its like to get started and have no tools or money. I have a couple tools I'd be willing to donate to a fellow (aspiring) Luthier/woodworker. Shoot me a DM on Instagram (see below) and well go from there :)
~Beauty & Peace~
Kyle @thewabisabicollective

[@petermorello1051]

You should read books to small children! Listening to you talk nearly put me to sleep!!

[@QueenCityGuitars]

I greatly appreciate return viewers like yourself, Mr. Morello and I am glad that you can find relaxation in these stressful times through my videos.