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Now that the glue holding the braces is dry, shape them to
match the blueprint by using a sharp chisel . If the chisel digs
into the spruce and wants to split it, cut from the opposite
direction . Sand the braces to remove any chisel marks using
150-grit . Try to leave the end of each brace with a smooth,
clean chisel cut .
Shape the braces
First, note that the neck-mounting hole is not centered
vertically in the neck block . This hole is positioned closer to
the back of the mandolin . Be sure that you fit the top to the
side farthest from this bolt-hole .
Place the top onto the side assembly, matching the
centerlines, and lightly clamp the top to the neck block
and tail block to hold it in place .
In pencil, mark lightly on the sides where the ends of the
braces meet the sides . Also pencil the shape of the sides
onto the ends of the braces for trimming .
Remove the top and lay a straightedge across the side assem-
bly and line it up with the marks . Pencil the brace location
across the kerfed lining . Use a sharp razor knife to carefully
cut flat-bottomed notches, 1/8" deep, where the braces
will rest in the kerfed lining (4 notches in all) . Don’t expect
a perfect notch: you are bound to have at least one empty
kerf slot falling right where you are trying to cut .
Use a razor saw to trim the ends of the braces . The pencil
lines you drew on the braces mark the outer edge of the
Fit the top to the side assembly
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