Les Paul Maple Top Thickness

[dantahoua]

Hello everyone!
I wonder what is the thickness for a blank maple top before carving it? I saw that "Eastern Maple Carved Top" request a 9/16" thick piece for their custom work. I saw that some people use some 3/4" thick. Seems that the max thickness of a Les Paul top is between 14mmm and 18mm at the highest point. Sure that if I go with a 3/4", I can't go wrong but I waste some wood if I go for 14mm... The Dummy from Eastern require what thickness?
Thanks for your enlightenment!

 

[bfcg]

Hello everyone!
I saw that "Eastern Maple Carved Top" request a 9/16" thick piece for their custom work.The Dummy from Eastern require what thickness?
Thanks for your enlightenment!

 

[dantahoua]

Hey, I was not clear! Would use a 9/16 or thicker knowing that my copier machine is probably not very accurate. It just to have some advise. What is the final thickness of a top plate at the highest point?

 

[NateM]

The dummy isn't wood. It is Corian so that it doesn't wear out as quickly when using a duplicarver.

If you mean the thickness of a top after bookmatching it should be 5/8" of an inch thick. If you mean the thickness of a top before bookmatching it should be >1 1/4" to allow for the kerf of the blade. The thickness you need to start with depends on the type of blade you are using. Ex: You need a thicker blade if you use a table saw vs. a bandsaw in most cases.

The 9/16 that Eastern Maple requests is if you have already bookmatched your wood. It gives them some room to work with when they use their CNC machine.

I hope this helps,

-Nate

 

[alk-3]

Our dummy's start out as 1/2" corian material, but after carving them the outer edge (the thinnest part) is almost see through it's so thin. That's why we glue them to a piece of MDF or they would just about fall apart.
9/16" is the absolute minimum we could use, and that would mean no material is removed from the highest spot. To be safe, if you're doing the carving yourself I would start with 5/8".

 

[dantahoua]

Great ! Thanks a lot!

 

[hambone59]

I have a follow-up question about Les Paul tops. The top is carved, but is the bottom (is the back of the maple cap flat or dished)?

 

[nuance97]

flat