Installing triple binding on the iv f5 kit

[MandoDan66]

I am currently working on a IV F5 kit, thanks mainly to the great advice and encouragement given on this site. I have however run into a bit of a bind with the binding (pun intended).

The IV kit has the triple binding (.06 white / .06 black / .09 white I believe), but because the binding ledge is actually step routed at two different heights, I am unsure of the best way to proceed.

I plan to laminate the two thinner bindings together using Acetone, but do I then glue it to the mandolin at the first ledge with Duco cement, then attach the thicker white binding using a mix of acetone on the black binding and Duco on the wood ledge below? Or is it best to attempt to laminate all three bindings together then glue them in afterword with Duco? Or is there an easier approach that I am clearly missing?

Thanks in advance. If my question is confusing, then welcome to my current state of mind.

[Jim Rowland]

I built one of the IV "F" kits and decided to do .090 one piece "triple bound" binding on the entire body, so I just re-routed the top ledge while routing the back one. I also used a side stripe which I glued to the bottom of the main strip in advance of installing. I used the Stew Mac Weldon 16 since I was using plastic instead of celluloid. That worked well enough for me. I'm not sure the acetone bonding thing will work with the IV binding.
Jim

[MandoDan66]

Thanks Jim. Since the binding that came with my kit was much thinner than the depth of the routed ledge, I decided to replace the binding with ABS bindings from Stew Mac, so using the Acetone shouldn't be an issue.

I may end up re-routing my top as well, but the thought of cutting too far into the kerfing has me sweating.

Thanks for the advice.

[Jim Rowland]

Just as a caution,Dan,I don't believe that acetone will weld the ABS plastics to your satisfaction. The old celluloid will melt to form a bond,but,unfortunately Stew Mac no longer ships it due to some (exorbitant,in my opinion)premiums placed on it due to flammability issues.
Not so much of a problem,I have discovered, as the Weldon works fine. You just have to be a little more careful with miters. I have friends who visit Athens often and who can pick up celluloid in small quantities for me over the counter,but I don't find it as necessary as I once thought.
Jim

[sides7]

I'm in the same boat as MandoDan66 as I'm not sure how to porceed with the three piece binding as supplied in the IV F5 kit. Can anyone explain how they suffessfully installed this binding or give a reference that describes a recommended technique.
sides7

[Gibson A5]

I have used the ABS binding on several mandolins and it does work, but I don't like it. I made a rig from a teflon block similar to what StewMac sells and glue the strips together with acetone (they have a tutorial on this at their web site). It does work, but too little acetone and it comes apart and too much and it melts the black (I use w/b/w) and makes it thin. You have to let it dry for a day for best results before you use it. Then with no heat, I bend it slowly over different size wooden dowels to make it take the shape I want. I glue it on with Weldon 16 and that sicks it on great. You can hold it in place with your finger until it sets (very quick with weldon 16) or tape it. Now and then a piece comes apart when you bend it and if used too soon and bent the inner black strip can wrinkle and you have to start again. To me the whole thing is a big pain, but you can get it to work.
Bill P.