To glue down the lid or not?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on February 13, 2010 at 1:36pm

I screw the lids on.Makes removal a LOT easier if needed. I will put four 1/2" 'posts' glued to the sides, either in the corners or 1/3 the way in from the corners (on the sides). I make sure they don't touch the bottom as not to dampen the sound. Then I make pilot holes and screw the lids on. Gluing would be a pain to remove if I had to get back inside.

Oh, I also but the lids off if they are paper hinged. I will also remove the metal hinges if they are there.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on February 13, 2010 at 2:51pm

Tiny drill bit, tiny screw.
Put'em the same place they put the lil nail.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Larry McInnes on February 13, 2010 at 3:11pm

Definitely screws. Wes has a good idea to not let the post come in contact with the bottom.

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Permalink Reply by Brendan deVallance on February 13, 2010 at 7:39pm

I hold mine closed with a bolt and nut. I want to be able to get inside and tinker around. So I like the flexability of not gluing it shut.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 13, 2010 at 11:15pm

leave it as is, unless you get vibration, rattle, or a lid that curls... then its tiny brass brads like comes with the box originally..

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on February 14, 2010 at 2:18pm

Thanks guys, I guess ever box is a bit different in what it may need. Leaving number one alone, will see how number two works out.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on February 19, 2010 at 8:54pm

For me it just depends on the box. I like being able to open the box for "service" or just to be able to open it cause it is a cigar box. Put a sandwich in there or something! But it needs to sound good, so I try to use the side of the box that is the thinest as the top for the best vibration. If the bottom of the box is thinner, I will usually flip it over and use the bottom or back of the box as the soundboard, which also allows me to open the box, even with the strings on. I see no reason to ever glue a box shut. If there was a rattle issue or the like, I would fix it with screws.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on February 20, 2010 at 1:57am

I too add small scrap pieces cut to fit in the each corner of the box ( glued in).Then I screw in small screws that I can back out if I need to get inside later on.
Mostly this is for my customers convenience if they choose to add a piezo or something later on.Unless I run into a problem , once I button it up I dont go inside again.The plan is to always have it sold within a week or 2.
I had a cute little 1 string tin that I thought would sell quickly , been around the shop for 2 months,. Today I took the tin off and changed it to a cigarbox 1 stringer.Hopefully it'll sell now, this is something I very seldom do, but if its not going to move as is, its gotta go somehow.

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on February 20, 2010 at 9:33am

Lately I glue a just-a-bit-too-short piece of quarter round in each corner of the box. Then when it is time to close it up, a wood screw in each corner holds it nice and tight.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on February 21, 2010 at 10:50pm

XActly guys!
Thats what I meant too except you guys explained it better then I did, lol
I'm much too cheap to buy 1/4 round though.I rip down scraps left over from building the necks for the bracing I do.

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Permalink Reply by Sundt Productions on February 22, 2010 at 12:37am

I've been thinking of using the screw-on brass corners, but we'll see...

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on February 22, 2010 at 1:39am

If you are building acoustically, glue it shut. I am assuming the lid is the back. The purpose of the sound box is to support the sound board (back of the box) and act as a resonate chamber. The sound board needs to vibrate and transfer sound. If the sides of box are really strong enough to act as a frame, the lid could be left open or even removed so the instrument could operate more like an open backed banjo. Structure is certainly key. Strong support, with a thin vibrating top. Enjoy.

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