For my first mandolin build (Crystal Forest flattop plans) I thickness sanded the top and back pieces to nearly final thickness before joining. I'm going to hand plane the next set(s) that I use, and I'm curious about how close to final thickness I should go before joining (using the rope and stick method for gluing).
I can see advantages to thinning as much as I can now in terms of avoiding issues with planing against the grain on a book matched back, but I suppose it's a little more forgiving to leave some material to work down after gluing. I did recently score a Stanley 112 scraper plane which should be useful in final thicknessing.
Thanks. I'm grateful for all that I've learned here already.
Bookmarks