Uh-oh. need advice on first build

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Hello, folks. #I'm doing my first mandolin build and I realize that I've cut the recurve too deep along a certain area. #

In the circled area picture below, the depth of the wood is 0.085"-0.100" with a lot of the area being .095". #These measurements refer to the recurve only and not the whole area circled. #It's supposed to be around 0.115". #Is my top going to collapse on me? #
http://gerbrandt.com/matthew/images/mandolin/whoops.jpg
Thanks for your advice!

[sunburst]

Nope.
Most top woods are stout enough to be alright at that thickness in a place or two. It will probably be best to maintain as much thickness as you can in your recurve area from now on by avoiding any excess working or sanding of the area.

[Geoff B]

I think you'll be okay, as long as you don't take any more off there. So far I've only had one implosion from being too thin and it happened underneath the tailpiece, was .07-.08" thick, englemann spruce and spent several nights in Telluride acuumulating dew and cold temps. I think you are okay there, but like John says, maintain what you have with caution. Keep posting pics!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Magnus Geijer]

I did the whole recurve on my #1 in that thickness range. Still holds up great to all sorts of beatings five years later.

/Magnus

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice, guys! #I've been worrying over this issue for a few days and I appreciate your knowledge. #

Geoff - that must have been a real sinking feeling watching that top collapse! No pun intended. #I've heard that the tailpiece area is the worst spot for going too thin. #Looking at your website, it looks like you took the lesson and kept on building fine mando's. #Well done! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Geoff B]

Check this out! I retopped this mando and it sold in a store in Boulder about a year ago. Its the only one so far that I don't know who owns it. Everything else about it was spot on and one of my favorite mandos, especially after I put a good top on that wouldn't do that again! Over the course of a day I kept hearing strange cracking sounds, which I came to find was the mandolin succombing...

[Matt the Mead Maker]

Yikes - that's exactly what I was afraid of! Just out of curiousity, did you take any thickness measurements? I've got an early 1900's 'taterbug mandolin with a partially sunken top that I need to replace.

[burcher]

Matt,

That top looks real nice for your first! I'm getting ready to do my first - will get to the top this summer maybe - and hope mine turns out half as good as yours. How did you rough carve it? You a homebrewer - from your handle - I've never made mead but make a laaaaaaaaaaaaaaata beer.

chris

[Gerard Dick]

The area you have outlined is not subject to nearly as much pressure and stress as the area near the tailpiece. The "f" hole will actually channel stress away from the area so you should be ok
Gerard