Granddaughter wants a classical guitar

[Kevin in California]

We now have tuner slots. That's all I got done today!

[Kevin in California]

Further work on the neck and heel. Removed some of the excess material and cut the bottom of the heel and block to the side height of 90mm.

Then on to the sides. Osage orange. Thinned to about .075" on the thickness sander. They fit into the heel slots tight, just right so a little sanding on that part of the sides for a nice fit.

Cut the sides to height with about 2mm excess that will clean up to the final height on the sanding board and radius dish.

First side bent. First time bending Osage Orange but just used my regular process. Spritzed sides with water, wrapped in kraft paper (no foil on these) and heat up to 275 degrees, starting the waist at 250 and done at 275.
Takes about 5 minutes using silicone blanket and 3 x 150 watt light bulbs inside the bender.

First side out fits the mold almost perfect. Second side will come out of the bender soon.

[Kevin in California]

Alright sides are bent.....went really well, no cupping and a very good fit to the mold. End block made and installed. Sides lengths cut to fit in the neck. I made the sides about .005" over on thickness so I could scrape and sand the ends to fit tightly in the neck slots. Took some work but it got it done and the sides are now attached. I wicked in a drop of CA in both onside corners of the slots both top and bottom to secure the sides.

I've scraped and sanded the inside of the rims to 220 grit. Now their ready for kerfing!!!

[Kevin in California]

Jointed and glued up the top and back plates.
Then I "drove the bus" on the 15ft radius dish to conture the back rims and the installed the homemade kerfing on both back and top of the rims.

[John Parchem]

The book match on your Osage orange is going to make a spectacular back.

[Herman]

As told before, Very clean work, mate
Herman

[Kevin in California]

Thanks Boys.

John will a nitro finish over the Osage hold the color or will it still darken over time?