Official Luthiers Forum!

Someone here suggested https://www.amazon.com/Wrights-117-206-031-Extra-Double-3-Yard/dp/B076ZVZC7F/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=bias+tape+1%2F2%22&qid=1558009902&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-6 to me last year and I'm finally getting around to it.

I noticed it comes folded in half. Should I use it doubled up or cut it on the seam? Should I soak it in HHG or just apply glue to the surface?

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

Here's what I do. I unfold the bias tape and iron it flat (cheap iron from the thrift store that stays in the shop). I put masking tape on each side where the reinforcement tape will go with about 1 1/16" gap on the edge then put brush on some HHG, put the reinforcement tape on, brush on more HHG then pull the masking tape - keeps it very clean and neat. I glue my linings directly over the side reinforcements. Before I close the box I brush some shellac over the side reinforcements which hopefully helps to keep the HHG from deteriorating over time.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks Steve. Sounds like you use the .5" tape opened to 1" is that correct?

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

Opened up mine are 1".

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

We buy the double-wide tape, iron it flat, trim to 5" lengths, then use a rotary cutter and a Lexan template to trim each of those fabric blanks to just under 3/4" (23/32"). A fence taped to a MDPE cutting surface keeps the edge of the blank straight, and the template is laid on top of the fabric and in contact with the fence for consistent-width cutting. A package of the double-wide material yields enough tapes to do 6-8 instruments with traditional Martin spacing.

My favorite rotary cutter for this thinner sort of material is the 45mm OLFA. If cutting bulky or quilted fabrics, the 60mm cutter is best, but the smaller blade seems to have a nice combination of durability and finesse when cutting bias tapes. The newer comfort handle model seems both safer and easier to use, although the model in the shop is the older version.

https://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Deluxe-Hand ... YP6XATZVKF

The Lexan fence and template are easily made from scrap Lexan 0.090" template materials.

On tape width, 23/32" seems to be both eye-pleasing and wide enough to act as a crack-stopper, and has the advantage of getting two side tapes out of each piece of double-width bias tape. Wider will work as well, but risks reminding us of wide-wale corduroy or ultra-shag carpet...just a little too much of an otherwise good thing.

Here are a few photos of how we cut side tapes to consistent width. Snack or sandwich-sized poly bags do a nice job of keeping the blanks and finished tapes neat, wrinkle-free, and clean.

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For the times they are a changin'

- Bob Dylan

Thank you, I put that tool in my wish list. I want to see if I can do it with an exacto first.

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

No luck with the exacto blade. I'm going to try some large scissors next and if I don't like that, I'll try my wife's scrap-booking cutter. if that don't work I'll buy the tool, I really hate to buy a tool for something that should be so simple.

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!

After reading that I got thinking, why am I wasting time over a $13 tool. I ordered it and it should be here tomorrow. I'll find other things to keep me off the couch!

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Hutch

Get the heck off the couch and go build a guitar!!!!