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I have waited all year for winter so that humidity in my home would drop to levels suitable for joining and bracing the top and back. I have glued most of the soundboard braces on at around 40% for the last 4 days. Today I glued the last brace on the soundboard this morning around 10:30, at 40% RH.
Temps outside have risen to 60F since then, and it is a beautiful day. So beautiful in fact, that my wife opened the front door to let a little fresh air and sunshine in.
I did not even think of this; but I was gluing the back graft to the underside of the back, and happened to glance at my hygrometer. 60% RH.
I don't know if that swing since I glued that last tone bar on will cause issues down the road, but it is done, and I can't undo it.
Hopefully night time temps will kick my furnace back into action and lower RH so I can glue up the back braces. They are ready to go, Just have to wait on the back graft to dry.
A question related to this; can I shape braces at 60% humidity, or will I need to wait for humidity to steady down a few days before?
Thanks.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I don't think you will have much issue with it . Prolonged Higher % might have been, however the time frame your talking about was relatively short . Just my .02 worth

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Once you get the humidity down again, I would let the braced top set at that RH for a while so it can equilibrate, then glue it to the rim at close to the same RH as you braced it.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Yeah, my humidity has been all over the place this past week, with the outdoor temperature going from sub-zero to 60+ degrees in a few days...

The back seam reinforcement is so narrow and thin, it's unlikely to cause any problems. But do wait before gluing back braces.

Humidity is irrelevant when carving.

Thanks gentlemen. Very much appreciated.
What about carving the braces? Can I carve them once the glue has dried, so they will be ready when the humidity settles down, or should I wait?

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Carve braces at whatever humidity you like...

Thanks, Ed!

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

We closed the door. Everyone got mad at me. Oh well, what can you do?
I put a fan in there running on medium. The room is 10' x 10', and it is already down to 48% RH. Now I need to let it be for a bit.
Thanks for all of the advice.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.