How to flatten flamed maple top pieces?

Nocturnal · August 17, 2008, 06:32:55 PM

Hello all,

I have 2 pieces of 1/4" flamed maple that I want to use as a top for a bass body. Each piece has an arch that tops out about 1/8" or 3/16" at the worst point. Each piece is 7" wide and that highest point is basically right in the middle of each piece. I've had these pieces for 7 years and they don't seem to have changed at all in that time. They were supposedly kiln dried and ready for working when I bought them, but they've always had the arch in them. Is there an easy way to flatten them out a little more before they get glued on the each half of the body blank? Or is the arch not enough to worry about and the clamps would take care of flattening them out? Any and all info/help/suggestions would be appreciated in this matter.

Thanks

drbassman · August 17, 2008, 09:16:25 PM

Yikes, that's pretty high! I'm not sure. Go to the refinishing/restoration forum and ask. they have a lot of woodworking pros there!

http://www.reranch.com/reranch/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=be3ef957b596115222167438753d18df

Barklessdog · August 18, 2008, 05:17:28 AM

My guess is you would have to dampen the wood and put it in a press?

I agree with doc check a proper wood forum.

Nocturnal · August 18, 2008, 06:56:36 AM

Thanks for the tip guys! I'll check it out later today.

Pilgrim · August 18, 2008, 09:15:03 AM

Yes - the two words that suggest themselves are HEAT and MOISTURE.

But I suspect patience will also be needed.

drbassman · September 02, 2008, 01:50:35 PM

So, what's the plan for these?

godofthunder · September 02, 2008, 06:38:20 PM

If you put those on moist grass in the sun convex side up the heat and moisture will straighten them. Or is it the other way around ? Crap all my books are packed up, this works I have done it, I never could keep it straight which way to put the curve.

drbassman · September 02, 2008, 07:01:05 PM

Scott, read your PM.

Nocturnal · September 02, 2008, 10:23:22 PM

I have a slab of mahogany that my dad gave me a few years ago & I want to use the pieces as a top plate. The maple is more like 5/16's thick, but it would be thinned out some before all is said & done. Hoping to end up with a reverse T-bird type out of this. Sort of a FenderBird but different.

Scott, I have desert landscaping with NO grass at all so that idea wouldn't work. $:-\$ I'm going to start the dampening & flattening process later in week. We'll see how it goes.