This is just another view of the rim with the top binding feet in place. (I just thought that it looked cool sitting on the prints like that!)

I have clamped all of the binding feet for the bottom plate in this shot. Since there is a curve to the bottom plate I had to put the binding feet on in small sections to match the curves. They will still need a little touch up with the large sanding block before assembly.

This picture displays the way that I had to clamp the center, back brace (strip) onto the back plate. The center strip brace reenforces the join of hte tow rear plate components.

Here you see the #3 back brace being clamped into place. While they don't show in the shot, there are custom-cut blocks under the plate that match the curve for each back brace.

The #3 back brace is in place here and the complex curve of the back has stared to appear on the plate. You can also see the center back brace that covers the insied of the back plate join.

Here is a shot of the gluing contraption that I used to get the #5 brace (near the heel) clamped into it matching block under the plate. The cam clamps on the ends of the brace also are holding fast the matching block under the plate. Obviously, I am still a few clamps shy of a full load!

This picture shows braces #5 and #3 in place with the slot for brace #2 cut and ready for the brace. (There is no #4 brace.)

Here, the final back brace, #1, is being clamped while the glue cures. I was able to get one of my cam clamps to the middle of the brace so this one did not need a contraption!

There they are! All of the back braces are in place and well cured. It is difficult to see, but the back plate now has the proper (I hope!) complex curve imposed upon it. I have also trimmed away a little of the extra rosewood from the edges of the back plate.

This is a detailed view of a small part of the back plate join, which came off when I trimmed away excess materials. It's a pretty good view of the quality of the back join and the inserted herringbone detail strip. (I wish that ALL of the herringbone strip looked like that!)