In this video I take you through every step of guitar binding, from routing the channels, to fitting the purflings and bindings, to gluing them cleanly in place. It’s a full 35-minute tutorial where nothing is skipped.

If you’re new to lutherie and some of the terminology feels unfamiliar, here are the definitions I promised at the start of the video:

Glossary of Terms

• Purflings – Decorative strips (often wood or fiber) that sit just inside the binding. They add visual detail and sometimes help protect the edge of the guitar top and back.
• Bindings – Strips of wood, plastic, or other material applied around the edge of the guitar body. They protect the edges and create a clean, finished look.
• Bearing Guide – The small ball-bearing wheel on a router bit that controls the depth of cut by following the guitar’s outline.
• Router Jig – A support fixture that holds or guides the router so you can cut evenly around the curved guitar body. In this video, I use a bending jig for forming the binding material into shape as well.
• Bending Jig – mine is Stewmac. It's brill. It bends sides and bindings and purflings into shape, using steam from a heat blanket and steel to sandwich the wood to prevent from breaking.
• Rebate – A step or ledge cut into the edge of the guitar where the binding and purfling will sit. Sometimes called a binding channel.
• Glue Used: Titebond – I use Titebond Original Wood Glue. It’s a strong, aliphatic resin glue (similar to PVA but formulated for woodworking). It dries relatively quickly, sands easily, and creates a reliable joint while still allowing some working time to position the bindings.



Here are the links to some of my key tools in this video, too:

Guitar side bender: stewmac.sjv.io/5goQn1
Routing jig: stewmac.sjv.io/BnLyyB


Whether you’re learning guitar building for the first time or refining your technique, this video covers everything you need to know about routing and installing bindings with confidence.

Also, parents, any advice for Pickle's wayward actions please let me know.

Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to subscribe if you liked it. :)