Binding the body

OK here is the Jig I made for routing the binding channel on the carved top. A piece of 3/8" aluminum that I made to attach to my router.  Then it is clamped to a wood support to suspend the router over the work piece.

Then using the router bit and bearing set I got from Stew/Mac it was a relatively easy process to make the channel.

Another look.

After completing the job.

I forgot to take any pictures during the gluing of the first piece of binding. I used a heat gun to soften the .090 in. binding and molding it to the tight radius I have. This picture is after I did the initial scraping to prepare for the next piece of binding. There is still a little more to be done but I will take care of this after the entire binding in done and the finishing touches are put on the carved top.

Here I am pre-bending the binding to fit the other tight radius using a heat gun.

Here I ready to go after the next piece of binding.

After gluing and taping.

 

Here is the first attempt at bending the piece for the horn at the cutaway.

If you click on the picture to enlarge you can see that the cream has turned slightly white from bend with the binding not being warm enough. My second attempt was much better. Should be posting it being put on by the end of the week. I have to let the 2nd piece dry today. Tomorrow I can scrape it down to get the 3rd and final piece glued on.