Next, we’ll apply glue to each mating edge and clamp them together. If necessary, place some wooden wedges between the center clamp and the stock to keep the surfaces level. After the glue has set, remove the clamps and scrape off the glue residue from both sides of the blank. Then sand smooth to 220 grit.

For an alternative clamping method, see Soundboard Press in Chapter 35.

About Glue

There are many types of glue available to us. Traditionally, hot hide glue is the glue of choice. Practically speaking, it's a difficult glue to use in a small shop with only a single person doing the construction. For example, gluing in a soundboard takes far longer than the 3 minutes working time that hide glue offers us. If I had a go-bar deck and some help, I would certainly use it.

That said, there are five types of glue I use in the shop. Regular yellow woodworkers glue (I use Titebond 1) for case construction, Liquid Hide glue for key coverings and case papers, occasional use of epoxy in key areas that require high strength, CA (cyanoacrylate), and contact cement (only used to glue Micarta sharp coverings to the sharp keys).

All modern glues are more than strong enough for our purposes. Choose the glue that you're comfortable with.