Thickness of Scroll area? Miffed

[mandough]

Hi,
I've been carving out a couple of tops on my first mandolin projects via the Siminoff book.
What should the thickness of the scroll be? I guess the highest point is the very end/ball of the scroll and the rest should gradually rise to that.
Also, what is the right thickness for the edges of the top and backs? Do I need to make them thick enough to hold the binding or can they be thinner than the binding?
Help... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[amowry]

You can probably measure the thicknesses of the scroll in various locations from one of the side views in the plans. That's what I've done, and it seems to be close enough for government work. I usually have the button be 12 mm thick.

The top and back edge thicknesses should be as close as possible to the binding height-- this is probably partly for structural reasons, but also because it will help eliminate problems if the plates ever have to be removed. If they are thinner than the binding, sawing them off by cutting along the base fo the binding will result in cutting through the top of the lining as well, reducing the overall height of the sides.

[Michael Lewis]

Your plan should show the measurement for the edge thickness. I use 3/16" or slightly more and scrape it down to 3/16" after the binding is on. It helps to make the edge an even thickness rather than letting it be uneven. If let to be uneven you will have difficulty making the recurve smooth and even.

[Michael Lewis]

OOPS! Now that i have re read the title I see it concerning the scroll,DUH! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

There is no law that the scroll must be any particular thickness, but I usually make it about 3/8" (twice the height of the binding). 7/16" would be OK too, but if you get it too tall you will likely end up scratching the button with your pick when playing.