A style plate weights

[Max Girouard]

I just did a search on plate weights and found an interesting thread in which some F plates were weighed. Was wondering if anyone has any weights on an A of any species? Thanks.

[Dave Cohen]

Are you looking for what poeple think they should weigh, or just for a reference point? Actual weights will vary considerably, depending on the density of the wood sample. I have seen densities vary from not much over 0.2 g/cm3 to over 0.45 g/cm3 in both Engelmann spruce and redwood. The Adirondak spruce samples I have measured have been mostly toward the upper end of that. Consequently, A-top plates with cc-holes or ff-holes have varied from about 75 grams to over 100 grams. The Engelmann spruce A-top plates with oval holes and an integral support area under the fingerboard have weighed about 100-105 grams for wood with a density of about 0.3 g/cm3. Those weights are prior to gluing the plates to the ribs, so trimming the excess flush will subtract a few grams from the above figures. Now, what does all that mean? That's another question.

http://www.Cohenmando.com

[sunburst]

I have some weights for A tops and backs, all for mandolins with f-holes. They're in my "book", which I 'll drag out and post the ranges here when time permits.

[Max Girouard]

I'm just trying to get a reference point. I just carved a WRC top yesterday that I feel is too thin as it is flexing like a piece of cardboard. I threw it on the scale to take a look at the weight and it was 93 grams. This is prior to cutting the f holes or gluing the tone bars on. I also carved a piece of Sitka that came out to be 117 in the same state. The Sitka was very stiff and had hardly any flex at all. I ended up actually breaking the plate trying to flex it too much. It was too stiff and did not want to flex. I'm just trying to get an idea and start taking notes on my weights and feeling of flex.

[sunburst]

OK, I have weights for 4 or 5 A mandolins. All of these are the same shape as my F shape but with the points and scrolls removed and all have f-holes. I weigh them cut to size, with f-holes cut and tone bars installed and carved.
All tops are from 94 to 96 grams, some are red spruce and some are sitka. Backs range from 137 to over 150 grams depending on maple species.

[Max Girouard]

Thanks John, that gives me a base line to start my notes with. When you say they are cut to size are they cut to the rim or cut a little more to "start" the binding ledge? I recall you saying you cut them udersized so you don't have to hog away so much wood for the binding ledge.

[sunburst]

Yep, undersized for a head start on binding. Interestingly, (and I just discovered a mistake looking this up) I built an A with an unbound back a couple of years ago and that back is the heaviest that I've recorded at 147 grams. The correct range for A backs is 110 grams to 147 grams. Sorry for the error.