Scroll Binding

[TNMANDO]

Hey everybody,
I'm routing the binding channel on number one and have a question. Any tips on getting a nice square binding channel up around the scroll? I've used dremmel bits, chisels, sand paper and am having trouble getting a flush fit on both edges. Any help would be appreciated.

[Dave Cohen]

Dale Ludwig once described to me a way of using a Foredom tool to cut the biding rabbet on a mandolin scroll. Maybe he will chime in?

[sunburst]

When you say "up around the scroll" it sounds like you mean the outside curve part of the scroll.
I do that with a violin perfling cutter. The inside...well, for me that's left to chissels, gouges, knives, patience, and an occasional "why did Orville have to put this thing on here anyway?".

[Jim Hilburn]

I cut it all by hand with a several different chisels and files. But the secret is to get the bottom shelf cut. You need to draw it on so you have a consistent depth all around, and having the climb of the scroll done is important before starting. Then I use a fine flush-cut saw, one with a blade that is mostly un-supported beyond the handle, and cut the bottom ledge in with that. On the top, it won't fit in next to the neck riser, so there,I use an Exacto handle with a thin saw blade. You have to flex the blade so as not to hit the scroll ridge.
Once you get that cut made, then it's just a matter of chiseling down to the cut from the top. I use a riffler file to smooth it all up.
Watching Don McRostie do it in the Stew-Mac video is worth the price of admission. His chisel sharpening lesson is good ,too.

[Bob Schneider]

When you're ready to add the binding and if you want consistant curvature and a clean tapered joint, email me at robo@spiritone.com and I'll send you pics of a binding bending jig that can't be beat.

[bobz]

Hello TNMANDO,
Here`s a photo pictorial of how I went about doing my first mando. I purchased the StewMac binding attachment for the dremel tool but ended up using my own home made tool attached to a flexible shaft. The fence is made from some aluminium angle iron,is slotted for adjustment and fixed with a wood screw. I made a tool from some 1/2" x 1/4" brass bar which has a cutter held in place with masking tape. The cutter is shimmed with feeler gauges to enable marking of the binding width around the scroll. As can be seen in the photos, I made a series of cuts around the scroll with an 1/8" chisel and mallet to get a ledge started. I used the StewMac dog legged chisels and a pre bent piece of binding to gadually deepen the channel, testing periodically with the binding. Also, carving gouges with diffrent curvatures were used as well.

[sunburst]

For anyone that doesn't know, this tool does essentially the same job as a violin perfling cutter.
Even on guitars where the router method works pretty well, my perfling cutter cleans up the chatter marks. It's a great tool.

[TNMANDO]

Very nice tool Bobz. Thanks everyone. I finished the binding channel on the top tonight. It worked out well but it took alot of patience.I'm finding that building the parts was the easy part if you can call it that. Putting them all together and fitting good is what separates the men from the boys!

[TNMANDO]

Just trying to see if I can get a picture to post.