Making purfling

[John J]

I thought I'd post my attempt at some custom purfling. I couldn't find what I wanted for an upcoming build so I decided to make some. Not sure if this exactly what I had in mind, but I like it nonetheless.

I started with some 3/4" maple, redheart and ebony. Cut to length at about 6" and then ripped into strips the width I wanted. Glued up the pieces so that the pattern will repeat. Then after it was dry I ran it through the drum sander to clean up and then cut it in half and glued back together. When that was dry I cut slices .090" (the width of the Teflon strip I'll use). Then turned that slice flat and cut .090" strips.

All in all I'm pleased with the results and can see the possibilities are endless.

[Kevin in California]

Very cool

[John Parchem]

very cool!

[Jim Ebert]

Very cool, thanks for the post. I am planning on making some purfling soon as well for the same reason. I didn't think I wanted anything elaborate, but after seeing this I may change my mind. Thanks again.
Jim

[ken cierp]

Usually purfling has outer full length layers of one piece veneer (each side) for support. Have you tried to bend those strips?

[John J]

I haven't yet figured how to do the veneer on the outside. There's not a lot of info that I could find on exactly how to do it.
It bends a little but I haven't tried heat or moisture yet. This will be laid in a channel so I think I can get by with some cracking. I'll post more as it goes.

[Brian D]

Very nice purfling John. I enjoyed doing my own purfling too. For my first attempt I glued maple veneer strips on outsides (as Ken mentions) using Titebond III. Then the straight strips were dipped in boiling water as they were installed. That method worked fine except in the tightest radii the maple distorted or ripped from too much stretching or compressing. My last attempt (http://acousticguitarconstructionforum. ... =24&t=2371) I pre-bent the purfling before gluing on the outside veneers and I had no problems.