Stewart MacDonald 5297, Assembly Instruction Manual, Page: 16 / 42

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The blueprint included with your kit illustrates the positions
of the 1/4"-wide spruce reinforcement strips . Transfer the
centerlines of the reinforcement strips from the blueprint
to the inner sides of your kit . Measure, mark and cut three
strips for each side from the three 20" spruce strips supplied
with your kit . Each strip should fit snugly between the ker-
fed linings . You can taper the ends and round the two long
exposed edges of each strip for a cleaner look .
Before gluing, dry-clamp each strip to make sure it lies flush
with the guitar side . You may want to make a small caul to
help hold the strip and spread the clamping pressure, with
an accompanying outside caul for backup . Experiment with
C-clamps, spring clamps, or cam clamps until you find a com-
bination that works for you . Apply a thin bead of Titebond,
clamp the strips in place (pictured), and allow at least an
hour before unclamping .
length pencil mark on the back, gently push the sides and
tailblock slightly until the body length mark meets the sides,
and lightly dry-clamp . You may find it easier to have a friend
help in case you need to manipulate the neck block and
tailblock into shape .
Use a white pencil to mark the positions of the ends of the
Installing the back
back braces on the sides . File .100"-deep notches in the
kerfed linings and the sides to accept the braces, as you did
for the guitar top . Now, chisel the spruce center strip so it
butts against the tailblock .
When the back assembly fits correctly, cut the cardboard
inner mold into pieces with a sharp knife and remove them .
Installing the side reinforcing strips
In the waist area of the soundboard, trim away the 1/8"
overhang so the waist clamp will fit . Install the waist clamp
from the front of the guitar to hold the sides in shape while
gluing the back .
Clean up the inside surfaces of the body to remove dust and
glue . Dry-clamp the back into place with spool clamps and
cam-clamps or C-clamps, as you did for the soundboard .
Check and correct the fit if necessary, according to the
centerline and the body length marks . Unclamp, apply
Titebond to the kerfed linings and reclamp, starting at the
neck block . Follow the same clamping order as you did with
the top (pictured) . Let the glue dry overnight .
Stewart-MacDonald’s tool recommendation
Acoustic Guitar Kit Clamp Set
Item #5287
A set of 24 quality clamps made of hardwood and steel that you’ll need for your
acoustic guitar build . Set includes: 2 small Double Cam Clamps, 2 large Double Cam
Clamps, 4 sets of 6 StewMac Spool Clamps .
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