tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84736392024-02-07T02:00:25.354+00:00Mandolin ObsessionMaking a mandolin, a courting dulcimer and some more mandolins....richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-81580018157641992532022-09-24T11:22:00.003+00:002022-09-24T11:22:52.873+00:00Well not quite.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y2Zu0Ds5O0bWy_Z1NiwUBeTFOpyrKt2BKbfJONlol5Li1ccdi63ApRsCvyEhPLY_WclmWEGDJ1WDN32ge7Hng1ica66IZ7oGekmziQ0vBtwBDimIT8XIPMgqr0uQRUrTu2iWGI6CRtaRaYDwBeMnwxCh4roe_k-iPCbQxh2fPAhiqcOfU5I/s4032/IMG_3836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Y2Zu0Ds5O0bWy_Z1NiwUBeTFOpyrKt2BKbfJONlol5Li1ccdi63ApRsCvyEhPLY_WclmWEGDJ1WDN32ge7Hng1ica66IZ7oGekmziQ0vBtwBDimIT8XIPMgqr0uQRUrTu2iWGI6CRtaRaYDwBeMnwxCh4roe_k-iPCbQxh2fPAhiqcOfU5I/s320/IMG_3836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I decided to change the 'G' string for a low one, and I had a go with Aquila Red strings. These are doped with a metal which means I should be able to use a unwound string.<p></p><p>I adjusted the bridge and nut grooves, fitted the new string, tuned it up and TWANG; it broke. I blamed a sharp edge on the nut and gave it a further smoothing with 800 grit paper. I tried a new string and TWANG; another breakage.</p><p>For my third attempt, I tuned it up, and stretched it very slowly (over a couple of hours), and kept it warm. It made it to F# before TWANG.</p><p>I think that my long scale length (51cm) means that the tension s too much for these strings, so finally I fitted a wound low G (again from Aquila), and this has tuned up fine and sounds very nice.</p><p>I now have to do a little work on the 6th fret which is a tad too proud and gives a very slight buzz when fretting at the 5th.</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-68793330790154691102022-07-23T14:00:00.001+00:002022-07-23T14:16:08.539+00:00Finished!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLsgSC740cx9VZXix5WvexcobFfC7ta56mplWXNqd3ywGaGTfPWnQJLyBRrc9OgJlFU2fUNEoCxgLaT97sub2d7F7dBydXiDnxkeutPPN7LnDHYJrj4Jff1nfnYDjOsSz50gyPwKRqtOhcTwQGGtDc1W7jsP6R2BVOLqRAhIQmke8hcjaMxg/s3935/IMG_3581_cropped.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3935" data-original-width="2204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLsgSC740cx9VZXix5WvexcobFfC7ta56mplWXNqd3ywGaGTfPWnQJLyBRrc9OgJlFU2fUNEoCxgLaT97sub2d7F7dBydXiDnxkeutPPN7LnDHYJrj4Jff1nfnYDjOsSz50gyPwKRqtOhcTwQGGtDc1W7jsP6R2BVOLqRAhIQmke8hcjaMxg/s320/IMG_3581_cropped.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>I haven't been very good at documenting this recently, but the pineapple baritone ukulele is now finished. I fitted <a href="https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk//strings-c1/string-sets-c865/ukulele-c49/aquila-23u-nylgut-baritone-ukulele-strings-c-tuning-high-g-p7837/s7879" target="_blank">nylgut strings</a> from Strings Direct and it sounds mellow and reasonably loud.<p></p><p>The instrument is for me to play - my hands are large and I have some osteoarthritis in the joints which makes playing some instruments quite painful, even after a few minutes. This 'Pineapple' has quite a long scale length (51cm), widely spaced strings (the neck is 4.2cm at the nut), a compound radiused fretboard (35cm at the nut, flat at the soundhole) and a peghead that lets my hand travel back to the first fret easier (the tuners are set further back). Time will tell whether these help, but first impressions are good.</p><p>I will be putting away the luthiery equipment for a little while as I'm making a boat (a Mill Creek 16.5) over the next few months and the garage will be very crowded. I hope to cover these adventures in a <a href="https://millcreekobsession.blogspot.com/2022/07/kit-ordered.html" target="_blank">separate blog</a>.</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-39174855282458287692022-05-29T14:31:00.000+00:002022-05-29T14:31:24.355+00:00Looking the part<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwYqfrkfZi0h4aTnlUBD6wNN_Kmyw_IkvmOJwTcHb49vGxriRqWymFOFG_oSHbaU3xnUQzLYrHZkSZ7H1NfW8ZUi5dtQgx7tE9TBRzHGNVhZlKBf5cujIdDKl013ID7fS2AAoieG_oCMRFgafjV4wgvQQRRaRPaBLcYGz-soKqNA9XOAdKeg/s4032/IMG_3302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwYqfrkfZi0h4aTnlUBD6wNN_Kmyw_IkvmOJwTcHb49vGxriRqWymFOFG_oSHbaU3xnUQzLYrHZkSZ7H1NfW8ZUi5dtQgx7tE9TBRzHGNVhZlKBf5cujIdDKl013ID7fS2AAoieG_oCMRFgafjV4wgvQQRRaRPaBLcYGz-soKqNA9XOAdKeg/s320/IMG_3302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've been making a fair amount of progress. The main instrument is now complete with binding fitted, and the fretboard glued in place. I sanded down to 600 grit and then finished everything (except the belly and fretboard) with my <a href="https://chestnutproducts.co.uk/product/buffing-wheel-kit/" target="_blank">Chestnut buffing kit </a>. I think it looks great, but I needed to hold on tight while working on it as it is now very smooth and slippy.<p></p><p>I will finish the belly with Renaissance wax and will probably leave the fretboard unfinished (or maybe some Dunlop Oil).</p><p>Now that the fretboard is on, I have been able to take some measurements of where the strings will go - I am aiming for 2.5mm at the 12th fret, and about 0.75mm at the 1st, Unfortunately, this means my bridge is a little too slim, so I will need to raise it a few mm by gluing some walnut/dyed maple underneath (to match the bindings).</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-34045448752859789452022-05-22T15:58:00.000+00:002022-05-22T15:58:07.841+00:00Fretboard<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnfpw7UO1Nqlq93EFe87ard2AoRusu8IQfKNGwP7aIN6wrdsicrWRB9kgnxirE5xf0cfoJNXv2YfS8vdwTLdQzf7dfXRo9ysQDXDWFAdLqSpIPzgyLlc81tEI2K7URk5ZUTCfYQajVd_Pcn6MYkg1e8OXOumkmm1IKIF7ZMAHchf075AsQRU/s2016/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnfpw7UO1Nqlq93EFe87ard2AoRusu8IQfKNGwP7aIN6wrdsicrWRB9kgnxirE5xf0cfoJNXv2YfS8vdwTLdQzf7dfXRo9ysQDXDWFAdLqSpIPzgyLlc81tEI2K7URk5ZUTCfYQajVd_Pcn6MYkg1e8OXOumkmm1IKIF7ZMAHchf075AsQRU/s2016/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnfpw7UO1Nqlq93EFe87ard2AoRusu8IQfKNGwP7aIN6wrdsicrWRB9kgnxirE5xf0cfoJNXv2YfS8vdwTLdQzf7dfXRo9ysQDXDWFAdLqSpIPzgyLlc81tEI2K7URk5ZUTCfYQajVd_Pcn6MYkg1e8OXOumkmm1IKIF7ZMAHchf075AsQRU/s2016/IMG_3234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnfpw7UO1Nqlq93EFe87ard2AoRusu8IQfKNGwP7aIN6wrdsicrWRB9kgnxirE5xf0cfoJNXv2YfS8vdwTLdQzf7dfXRo9ysQDXDWFAdLqSpIPzgyLlc81tEI2K7URk5ZUTCfYQajVd_Pcn6MYkg1e8OXOumkmm1IKIF7ZMAHchf075AsQRU/s320/IMG_3234.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Fretboard is pretty much finished - it was a bit of a pain fitting the frets! The fretboard is radiused at the nut end (about 35cm radius), and flat at the bridge end (my thought is to make it a bit easier on my arthritic fingers). I started hammering the frets into the slots (I always start at the bridge end in the hope that any early mistakes are well away from the main playing area), but it was a messy method.<br /><p></p><div>I decided to finish off with a press. I need to drill a hole in the end of it to take a caul (Amazon...), and make a threaded hole to lock the caul in place (I still hate tapping holes).</div><div><br /></div><div>Pressing was SO much easier than hammering.</div><div><br /></div><div>I finished off by dressing the ends of the frets, but I will leave working on the crowns until the fretboard is glued into place. The board develops a very slight upward bow with the fret tangs driven into the thin board, but this won't cause a problem and will be flat again once it is on the neck..</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5xbnSpdakK7Fd1mMmmiVLXeQ2pO57QVfssemShVigoBEW3p1I_tQnPZc4zA_0Mwp5-N0Db9RRHBat_g8hox59Ec_BvBNUFlvS38yIfi2HomTy8KXkf6FoTN-voTNCT6OONCBG7juzhqoXRKY1tLHo1Lm83bFBw7zGAi0HTMkZFoFSpvLX8M/s2016/IMG_3235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5xbnSpdakK7Fd1mMmmiVLXeQ2pO57QVfssemShVigoBEW3p1I_tQnPZc4zA_0Mwp5-N0Db9RRHBat_g8hox59Ec_BvBNUFlvS38yIfi2HomTy8KXkf6FoTN-voTNCT6OONCBG7juzhqoXRKY1tLHo1Lm83bFBw7zGAi0HTMkZFoFSpvLX8M/s320/IMG_3235.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is the DIY fret press.</div>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-55820858395636613062022-05-19T18:09:00.000+00:002022-05-19T18:09:45.543+00:00Bridge<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yiGMe3SRyPUPjUDKJXYRT0mu-hdq8vC5f3bO229FGV-dHmU5vqYzjCSecC2Swfy2Llv-foBzRKb5GSxJ7HZT-LLLLTBZCuKhoKk_PhBRrHE6boPOrwmPVdp5hGH8V_nXq6aGJz_GG_qg9ooyIRiHEAvFhbRLw2PMcgRp9sH7x3C8TNCsBgA/s2016/IMG_3225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yiGMe3SRyPUPjUDKJXYRT0mu-hdq8vC5f3bO229FGV-dHmU5vqYzjCSecC2Swfy2Llv-foBzRKb5GSxJ7HZT-LLLLTBZCuKhoKk_PhBRrHE6boPOrwmPVdp5hGH8V_nXq6aGJz_GG_qg9ooyIRiHEAvFhbRLw2PMcgRp9sH7x3C8TNCsBgA/s320/IMG_3225.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I made the bridge out of an offcut of walnut. I found this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp-ZojDQ_Eg&ab_channel=BeauHannamGuitars" target="_blank">video </a>from Beau Hannam Guitars and Ukuleles very useful...<p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-8545988119317259552022-05-18T18:22:00.000+00:002022-05-18T18:22:06.708+00:00Gluing the back on<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkA5K6hJO1QJ25bRGMubuaDa_n5y-CBAdJVESQco1uWizZoIJQS1eg4c6owVzm6XtiwMCmAqIWGtyUfBTa5-82KPwTtql1Gdmb0IdlsIgpXCFPWGO3YW4XHsbpvttduPuvRxia7bdW1Ag_GfWHRPBnoiUk3tAun8BlAG8mAYj5U31lvZmAqk/s2016/IMG_3223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkA5K6hJO1QJ25bRGMubuaDa_n5y-CBAdJVESQco1uWizZoIJQS1eg4c6owVzm6XtiwMCmAqIWGtyUfBTa5-82KPwTtql1Gdmb0IdlsIgpXCFPWGO3YW4XHsbpvttduPuvRxia7bdW1Ag_GfWHRPBnoiUk3tAun8BlAG8mAYj5U31lvZmAqk/s320/IMG_3223.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> The obligatory photo of lots of clamps. Before this went on I stuck on a label and sprayed a couple of coast of clear shellac on the insides to seal them.<p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-32412748884882545292022-05-15T18:33:00.000+00:002022-05-15T18:33:27.467+00:00Back<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvBcERpA3KK7jwGMZxomZgkzm3IVUtW5zJYBqslS605Uw5ROAQ7DjdOICaQXDNyqjvqLXPLfrBYG0yJeZR01ghCgiWR7DAfM6zqUjBGrgcplaB3-AtAKXbrIJpvFR1MM-bU8Q7tupCenkCQbiC5z1BmzDWuAQ4dK2jTOEwBdxw25DXpoTzKE/s2016/IMG_3210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvBcERpA3KK7jwGMZxomZgkzm3IVUtW5zJYBqslS605Uw5ROAQ7DjdOICaQXDNyqjvqLXPLfrBYG0yJeZR01ghCgiWR7DAfM6zqUjBGrgcplaB3-AtAKXbrIJpvFR1MM-bU8Q7tupCenkCQbiC5z1BmzDWuAQ4dK2jTOEwBdxw25DXpoTzKE/s320/IMG_3210.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />A quick update - I have now added the three braces to the back - I went with walnut in the end - I didn't feel it needed the stiffness of spruce. The walnut dots are glued into the fretboard too.<p></p><p>I shaved down the belly braces a bit as part of my attempt at tap tuning. It sounds a bit brighter to me, but who knows!</p><p><br /></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-68343206298389083212022-05-02T16:45:00.000+00:002022-05-02T16:45:17.503+00:00Slotting the Fretboard<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdO1wv_CdEMhfaBpeXmCgwKMDK1HRaMDyIJBcnwoxWsaPmbehDbMaVpwsZ8xDsSVoIcDaSHalE7oS8qhNOs_f7xTizhLsqd0yneIWO1gZHhk6TNX3mlND1telAX-WJMD-FXeZeHO5G8ZtJ_Z92AyQMp_JedfYDyOpIxVpyXLoH6Tc0pucBV8/s2016/IMG_3169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdO1wv_CdEMhfaBpeXmCgwKMDK1HRaMDyIJBcnwoxWsaPmbehDbMaVpwsZ8xDsSVoIcDaSHalE7oS8qhNOs_f7xTizhLsqd0yneIWO1gZHhk6TNX3mlND1telAX-WJMD-FXeZeHO5G8ZtJ_Z92AyQMp_JedfYDyOpIxVpyXLoH6Tc0pucBV8/s320/IMG_3169.jpg" width="240" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">For all my previous instruments I have hand cut the fret slots with this little thing, using a fretting saw with a depth guide. I have found this a bit awkward, so I decided to make a slightly more sophisticated jig. It was based loosely on the one that StewMac sell.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYNpqxfgjSMKZkhpiijV62KJI86FEMlPpNmkKu7DRBmrhQZzVXqn3TZ98Vs8jL25hDznvHqDrb8PpW6FrQ40IF8YrGtoqzHNyGaE_E_wUO9XgZ7Gg3mkKpvdjF7ggw8liuJ7DBq5ZYLQ7h_il17xllO7KJqdi5p84zUxoiChPHjnP_uYUwC0/s2016/IMG_3168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYNpqxfgjSMKZkhpiijV62KJI86FEMlPpNmkKu7DRBmrhQZzVXqn3TZ98Vs8jL25hDznvHqDrb8PpW6FrQ40IF8YrGtoqzHNyGaE_E_wUO9XgZ7Gg3mkKpvdjF7ggw8liuJ7DBq5ZYLQ7h_il17xllO7KJqdi5p84zUxoiChPHjnP_uYUwC0/s320/IMG_3168.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The saw rides along the little oak cross beams (height adjusted via four bolts). The first test was disappointing as the saw was binding in the slot but the fix was to give it a sharpen (I found some useful tips in a video by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q9PZbl657o&ab_channel=CrimsonCustomGuitars" target="_blank">crimson guitars</a>). After this it cut nicely and I made the slots for the fretboard.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PkJhX7T44TlKWqAZGsQt7KjVrBSaIKYaskMpbNVXQq3s8s0aBMHeT7p-K45rR0ix3prP-NQVQw8Ncq2SdMyppU1MEo3K49efkeFYsTNl5NANzSQoAZbqaNXyD1RbDjxkv-CYQ6xfaAnuT15tg7JztmEzrPiAOomiEwDpLN8C3uzP980grAA/s2016/IMG_3171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PkJhX7T44TlKWqAZGsQt7KjVrBSaIKYaskMpbNVXQq3s8s0aBMHeT7p-K45rR0ix3prP-NQVQw8Ncq2SdMyppU1MEo3K49efkeFYsTNl5NANzSQoAZbqaNXyD1RbDjxkv-CYQ6xfaAnuT15tg7JztmEzrPiAOomiEwDpLN8C3uzP980grAA/s320/IMG_3171.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-37368057126951150502022-04-27T14:42:00.002+00:002022-04-27T14:42:48.120+00:00Dots<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoAtmTxnXpd_wlKYtjEV806nz05YFZW3Cakx65v3BAkPrdwdutB2pS6kALOJ-3nsbUxabgITcwuyfexhCo_A_ZLN1SE3vMBlzQyCqHVAvWR6Px_tyZS6mis4YxKPaOFHt6ivgTWKjewSUu3tb6gckf8ZVRhrR6jRa3gT3P6S9-xMMSAnv1s4/s2016/IMG_3129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoAtmTxnXpd_wlKYtjEV806nz05YFZW3Cakx65v3BAkPrdwdutB2pS6kALOJ-3nsbUxabgITcwuyfexhCo_A_ZLN1SE3vMBlzQyCqHVAvWR6Px_tyZS6mis4YxKPaOFHt6ivgTWKjewSUu3tb6gckf8ZVRhrR6jRa3gT3P6S9-xMMSAnv1s4/s320/IMG_3129.jpg" width="240" /></a>I was thinking about how a make some walnut dots for the fretboard. My first attempt on my lathe was not good enough, so I tried out using a leather punch in my drill press. This worked really well. I punched through almost all the thickness of the walnut and then sanded the back off on my belt sander, ending up with a little pile of dots. The test fitting in a piece of scrap wood looked fine, so these are good to go for the fretboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT_fyqD7Zpn2wBVbZCVjzn4B-tG2IVROpKme36Rn1LarFvvRXAdvSvf1CyFCAzycmLCx481ZkDS17_LXn6V4spyPZMprojnywEG4fcotj8RR0uRTz8Cwz2OdltRkeE6RolW9ADJVSKvCaxfZoZwuoPspm_69jvuUtexs1GtW1kZnKawPGXPU/s2016/IMG_3131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwT_fyqD7Zpn2wBVbZCVjzn4B-tG2IVROpKme36Rn1LarFvvRXAdvSvf1CyFCAzycmLCx481ZkDS17_LXn6V4spyPZMprojnywEG4fcotj8RR0uRTz8Cwz2OdltRkeE6RolW9ADJVSKvCaxfZoZwuoPspm_69jvuUtexs1GtW1kZnKawPGXPU/s320/IMG_3131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi0jQUd463A9_ai3oEDMXmRvYCljmbkHwAtlEpE-42YLb1IOOEKINEZmH-w-mVGeRR-DvcVkAaUZu5cAMKz7xRf4M9C7eAFbuIMdAhNyI_vpNKTDAtqJU6fy6QK2WEX05uYSoEfd38NcGojgfnc1UQb29EbQtfc3xsax3ntfeKZrzGWxR4M0/s2016/IMG_3127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYi0jQUd463A9_ai3oEDMXmRvYCljmbkHwAtlEpE-42YLb1IOOEKINEZmH-w-mVGeRR-DvcVkAaUZu5cAMKz7xRf4M9C7eAFbuIMdAhNyI_vpNKTDAtqJU6fy6QK2WEX05uYSoEfd38NcGojgfnc1UQb29EbQtfc3xsax3ntfeKZrzGWxR4M0/s320/IMG_3127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-12938112169821808352022-04-24T18:17:00.000+00:002022-04-24T18:17:47.148+00:00Fretboard<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6SNhWviuAzjd9U6MoUneLg8iZPjfaDb-OR-IOg54IKse3eObJhE5UJYmQCltP5iryxdYIQmhFcHgj6z0jTpBbpwl4hH55sTNJRVG0k34-qlHn7_WoOc-eAYyGKU5By-ChH1cXyx4OwledaO3QTNUujrXlSTnFFO7rextN4Rua_VjCW7li9k/s2016/IMG_3110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6SNhWviuAzjd9U6MoUneLg8iZPjfaDb-OR-IOg54IKse3eObJhE5UJYmQCltP5iryxdYIQmhFcHgj6z0jTpBbpwl4hH55sTNJRVG0k34-qlHn7_WoOc-eAYyGKU5By-ChH1cXyx4OwledaO3QTNUujrXlSTnFFO7rextN4Rua_VjCW7li9k/s320/IMG_3110.jpg" width="240" /></a>I had originally decided to use a piece of macassar ebony for the fretboard (second from the left), but I didn't like the colour against all the walnut. Likewise, I rejected the ebony (left) and cocobolo (third from the left). In the end, I am going for a simple piece of sycamore (right), I hope to jazz it up a bit with some dot markers to be made on the lathe from the same piece of walnut used for the peghead veneer (and planned for the bridge). </div><div><br /></div><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-63580895334831445862022-04-24T18:05:00.000+00:002022-04-24T18:05:26.603+00:00Neck<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg5rtnVxLR-Kg85k4OfxndndTpOZsiYkk1oxCO5PpWfPK6UlJEYF4GjYpOdpBkk51zBdI4aZAsGyGzrApQK6_ZkssT5gP-EQmPADkXkGHfoCKiDeb-UGe7Ka857tr4oeor4z1UmrBJv4FP7QT5jDv9CKB0UUJYDplKU1ptkkkT7011E-Y5qU/s2016/IMG_3105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg5rtnVxLR-Kg85k4OfxndndTpOZsiYkk1oxCO5PpWfPK6UlJEYF4GjYpOdpBkk51zBdI4aZAsGyGzrApQK6_ZkssT5gP-EQmPADkXkGHfoCKiDeb-UGe7Ka857tr4oeor4z1UmrBJv4FP7QT5jDv9CKB0UUJYDplKU1ptkkkT7011E-Y5qU/s320/IMG_3105.jpg" width="240" /></a>The neck was made from a sandwich of walnut, dyed constructional veneer and a sycamore core. The idea was to generate some stiffness as walnut alone may have been a bit too flexible. Someday I will try out a carbon fibre reinforcing rod instead... For a peghead veneer, I have made a little bookmatched piece from some interesting walnut, thicknessed down to about 3mm.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsroqiy5sqRCzSEFuJarATpPnC_RYbaa5YfRfqQLpFtN3yBTwm-gh1ejIeMggTyYHTWm5-TAQTG_hf3uYOOXAik7rDidW18H0L0Oz1T3-u4UsKm_nq2Gn99uFUYQJDZkw-DQvwEaLry3uPwEKO_01HmhGdC7Usx182gQbkIy5PbWu8CiGPcs/s2016/IMG_3103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsroqiy5sqRCzSEFuJarATpPnC_RYbaa5YfRfqQLpFtN3yBTwm-gh1ejIeMggTyYHTWm5-TAQTG_hf3uYOOXAik7rDidW18H0L0Oz1T3-u4UsKm_nq2Gn99uFUYQJDZkw-DQvwEaLry3uPwEKO_01HmhGdC7Usx182gQbkIy5PbWu8CiGPcs/s320/IMG_3103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-89818262553012521812022-04-21T20:08:00.000+00:002022-04-21T20:08:21.546+00:00Ready to glue on the belly<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLZ7lfTfyQDG0DKPQoJhDdBlo9vWLu2acKbhcr2dnlYToFzaerinpiIXRIgxXtVooIuvbHw-YOlG9h1H71YZ8WSAjgoKydj59s7rkNRtzfmJGB5AzlixPOaibScYvJx6RjTgSt2yBk57kGtHqgxnEo1reQSXEbL3laRQF3DL7oykRXj3jeKo/s4032/IMG_3092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLZ7lfTfyQDG0DKPQoJhDdBlo9vWLu2acKbhcr2dnlYToFzaerinpiIXRIgxXtVooIuvbHw-YOlG9h1H71YZ8WSAjgoKydj59s7rkNRtzfmJGB5AzlixPOaibScYvJx6RjTgSt2yBk57kGtHqgxnEo1reQSXEbL3laRQF3DL7oykRXj3jeKo/s320/IMG_3092.jpg" width="240" /></a>Here is the belly 'dry-fitted' into the body. I've added the second sets of kerfed linings and also cut the slot for the neck. I plan to glue the belly on with Titebond Original (my favourite glue) with the sides still in the mould to keep everything square. I have left plenty of material on the braces and I may try to tap-tune the belly by thinning these once the belly and neck are on.</div><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-53480633178913090182022-04-16T18:04:00.000+00:002022-04-16T18:04:12.394+00:00A body<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3vIqnKGdAXUki3cnfZ-IX2P5GmkQiRCTKloy_LvcEXttsQ1Rp2C_kg4ij1HaCZp3_HSJ-oJnr0OghzAgfZvZv5oKE6xY4v4XFvQA_vPdpVoVggV8UMK3vqLsoGbkE6DYwxQpuJoKcGcc00NqYo7mNZW6nsBf20T6fECDWAHMHO93NO0tOMU/s4032/IMG_3063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3vIqnKGdAXUki3cnfZ-IX2P5GmkQiRCTKloy_LvcEXttsQ1Rp2C_kg4ij1HaCZp3_HSJ-oJnr0OghzAgfZvZv5oKE6xY4v4XFvQA_vPdpVoVggV8UMK3vqLsoGbkE6DYwxQpuJoKcGcc00NqYo7mNZW6nsBf20T6fECDWAHMHO93NO0tOMU/s320/IMG_3063.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sides (viewed from the top)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have been making steady progress with the uke. I bent the sides - it's been a few years since I last did this and the cracking noise from the figured walnut was not encouraging. Too aggressive! Still, I pressed on and fixed the crack with some Araldite. This will need some more attention later on. I added an inlay where the sides join at the end, which will match the bindings. I'm reasonably happy with this. Finally, I made and fitted some kerfed linings (from some white pine). Next up will be fitting the belly to the body.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16yT1AaAeQW0m_b-9_iiuaiBFDL9w7Aj784wLS_ARxsQDzHOGXguyLNsa40GF_RlrQnYzkPVXvUO1i2M3oWJmqTVGTTOhBwWp7ehFBvx154LIGDfr6yaFOMSaEYdgUpbQovB7KUeMjnbbasKVkgUxPPyDwCSHChdT_b0OKWsNcYNsPG1j6Vk/s4032/IMG_3066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16yT1AaAeQW0m_b-9_iiuaiBFDL9w7Aj784wLS_ARxsQDzHOGXguyLNsa40GF_RlrQnYzkPVXvUO1i2M3oWJmqTVGTTOhBwWp7ehFBvx154LIGDfr6yaFOMSaEYdgUpbQovB7KUeMjnbbasKVkgUxPPyDwCSHChdT_b0OKWsNcYNsPG1j6Vk/s320/IMG_3066.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An ugly crack</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa4sct_SlHkCP8T24MR3RJgsWlZGuQrp40QG07ud8KyRptSeBmvQBAX_GjWdDSjIFNBhWFitTYKLmls4QI9SaKZ42WkxvX6RlqlpVm9wfWkN5nBZq_Opn5B7MDD-eDx9U9aWliI6IE88JS33edz9ytgJl45xXpo8OQMEytRTE111HZkkf7zY/s4032/IMG_3064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIa4sct_SlHkCP8T24MR3RJgsWlZGuQrp40QG07ud8KyRptSeBmvQBAX_GjWdDSjIFNBhWFitTYKLmls4QI9SaKZ42WkxvX6RlqlpVm9wfWkN5nBZq_Opn5B7MDD-eDx9U9aWliI6IE88JS33edz9ytgJl45xXpo8OQMEytRTE111HZkkf7zY/s320/IMG_3064.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End joint inlay</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-12511248139231651162022-03-31T16:37:00.000+00:002022-03-31T16:37:55.421+00:00Belly<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RF7MbWUXkiK-3RkmHvD0z6i7OzENaxvfCWYllUnwRdCwnz7CH3AzSFvY__uYEs6A8JCHoNMDsbsUwmBQS5AFWoJm1cN76pNlbBBdXsYi1yf9_aYEWopqbgnv0SDD7lzRiXI2uJpHZr-BR_RNupsWu-9LmKIFROQgmkrM8Fortc4byfQLVH8/s4032/IMG_2982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RF7MbWUXkiK-3RkmHvD0z6i7OzENaxvfCWYllUnwRdCwnz7CH3AzSFvY__uYEs6A8JCHoNMDsbsUwmBQS5AFWoJm1cN76pNlbBBdXsYi1yf9_aYEWopqbgnv0SDD7lzRiXI2uJpHZr-BR_RNupsWu-9LmKIFROQgmkrM8Fortc4byfQLVH8/s320/IMG_2982.jpg" width="240" /></a>So, I used my new DIY dremel jig and it all went very smoothly. I took a couple of passes with a 1mm spiral upcut bit and then widened the channel by adjusting the jig. I glued in the rosette with zap-a-gap super glue and scraped it flat. I have found that sandpaper can drive dust (in this case walnut and dyed maple) into the pale belly wood and make it look a bit messy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, I used the jig again to cut out the soundhole. Next for the belly will be fitting some braces - I am winging it on the placement for these, so we will have to see how it goes...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvImC4GgzSnVT-VxjsWBaFhHm1zmDvF1dWI5kyG85UlzJTneNIPP7Gg5wvXLceWPqUNihx-rEtwrC6f4izuKYiu5TfzFNGtNbM3R4IVzwWdzq7_TxlCu1rImk8lIpYt6lkvesjjYxtrzcN7aC11YbrlC3aoHzpJKqicmKhBZD3yKoGq4hsSM/s4032/IMG_2983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvImC4GgzSnVT-VxjsWBaFhHm1zmDvF1dWI5kyG85UlzJTneNIPP7Gg5wvXLceWPqUNihx-rEtwrC6f4izuKYiu5TfzFNGtNbM3R4IVzwWdzq7_TxlCu1rImk8lIpYt6lkvesjjYxtrzcN7aC11YbrlC3aoHzpJKqicmKhBZD3yKoGq4hsSM/s320/IMG_2983.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGacROdffKAkKhCVtJusNtb9QG7frKevzbiMst3Qs6i_pJ0ccjcRG0gZSfQqHyzg5v-JSEAmtZYZIYP9R-hRfJNqcqMy5soi7BJwirgYG3Z8kViQ88i7biaTyC9Ets1LtGQmS_14t63Nc56n-TpAFP9rYDu71nbJjztyLsRL6TFNjUu7bMYHQ/s4032/IMG_2985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGacROdffKAkKhCVtJusNtb9QG7frKevzbiMst3Qs6i_pJ0ccjcRG0gZSfQqHyzg5v-JSEAmtZYZIYP9R-hRfJNqcqMy5soi7BJwirgYG3Z8kViQ88i7biaTyC9Ets1LtGQmS_14t63Nc56n-TpAFP9rYDu71nbJjztyLsRL6TFNjUu7bMYHQ/s320/IMG_2985.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-11650091468680223252022-03-27T18:44:00.001+00:002022-03-27T18:44:56.579+00:00Saving eighty seven quid<p> I have a little <a href="https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/routers-and-bits/routers/precision-router-base/" target="_blank">Dremel jig</a> I bought from Stewmac ages ago and its great for routing the cavities for inlays. I decided to use it for the rosette inlay and needed an adaptor for cutting circles. The commercial product was a bit too <a href="https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/jigs-and-fixtures-for-guitar-building-and-repair/soundhole-and-rosette-routing-jig/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2022-03-gp&pref_currency=GBP&shipcalc=UK&gclid=CjwKCAjwloCSBhAeEiwA3hVo_ch-x2d8kt3dFMkWOplH-LB-ez1laviVdbYz8ZYZFAE30fao44JmzRoCRG4QAvD_BwE" target="_blank">expensive </a>for my tastes, so I made one out of some bits of aluminium I had 'lying around'. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUE_xGGfmN820V49de14KjsM1zdO8WSC3P3TIR3PXe32d0BYEfgtYLvU4hAN60AbIBxPHYrJNyzQ0dxKiR1f0C-z7N46uorajEXdO3hcVXIVbTBHvm_xzpGY-sZfgDGo2YGQwm87xuHUy9YCVBVztV1sTe1jCJi4At5ropjEWGI4wPecqRug/s4032/IMG_2953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUE_xGGfmN820V49de14KjsM1zdO8WSC3P3TIR3PXe32d0BYEfgtYLvU4hAN60AbIBxPHYrJNyzQ0dxKiR1f0C-z7N46uorajEXdO3hcVXIVbTBHvm_xzpGY-sZfgDGo2YGQwm87xuHUy9YCVBVztV1sTe1jCJi4At5ropjEWGI4wPecqRug/s320/IMG_2953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Not as neat, but hopefully it will work the same...</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-13668683888801776992022-03-17T19:01:00.000+00:002022-03-17T19:01:50.647+00:00Making a template for the rosette<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvozvgwP0LuIlBfGlpSwzZEi4cQd24qsD8j85pQUM92ZAxH-2e2BnDQJ_mc20Ft24Li4T_UkCapxI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /> I was thinking about the binding and the rosette that will go around the sound hole, and I decided to use walnut with an extra black stripe. I needed to make a circular channel in some scrap wood to allow the bent rosette wood to 'set', and I wondered about making a router jig (base turning about a fixed point). Then I remember I had made a CNC router specifically for this sort of thing (doh).<p></p><p>All it took was to draw a circle of the correct size in Inkscape, generate the g-code in ESTLcam and press 'print' in Repetier. I was very happy with the outcome, and I think I will try and do the neck and fretboard shaping this way (a bit more of a challenge than just a circle in a piece of oak!). </p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-65106636052969246772022-03-13T18:28:00.001+00:002022-03-17T19:02:45.357+00:00Re-sawing<p> It took about 40 minutes to change the blade on the bandsaw, most of it setting up the tension and alignment. Still, I think it was time well spent as I was able to re-saw a nice piece of walnut which will make the back and sides on the 'pineapple'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgttrK_H2iOoe9GqJQjrttW7Ddwn-HTPX2JLtqyRmjg-LOIsfb0JNm10vJVBBcazxjE5ztAvNn9hCOQzo3EdNKHKxnltw6jfi3U5GOHcVj8T4PNA5TPUIRBl8RkeGuIbG72is9pyExj7JJW8cZr51WjeV4f08gGSVWbHxfQC7isBJGeK2ptEO8=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgttrK_H2iOoe9GqJQjrttW7Ddwn-HTPX2JLtqyRmjg-LOIsfb0JNm10vJVBBcazxjE5ztAvNn9hCOQzo3EdNKHKxnltw6jfi3U5GOHcVj8T4PNA5TPUIRBl8RkeGuIbG72is9pyExj7JJW8cZr51WjeV4f08gGSVWbHxfQC7isBJGeK2ptEO8=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqndl7oTmV0ewlXO9hOZzOdCGpnVBSc1JA4CKjcpVcNH23sfLVXKs-ezD3co0yUoXtrCD5RRaOWt7ZDA88Nt9GLAa1tpUpAhphDHMMLZBAFCoe5vee98sMaxocTOBU4v4ZWb73HjLK92N4KtzWz1peppRcpdnDATIOTqJ6wV5PvrVveqjOXEA=s2016" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqndl7oTmV0ewlXO9hOZzOdCGpnVBSc1JA4CKjcpVcNH23sfLVXKs-ezD3co0yUoXtrCD5RRaOWt7ZDA88Nt9GLAa1tpUpAhphDHMMLZBAFCoe5vee98sMaxocTOBU4v4ZWb73HjLK92N4KtzWz1peppRcpdnDATIOTqJ6wV5PvrVveqjOXEA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I'll thickness these next.</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-4263239301295760202022-01-06T20:54:00.001+00:002022-03-17T19:02:19.519+00:00Using my new CNC router on the uke mould.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzphe-ZBwGH9__DJ6Ceg57bJbj7jrrlQocYzhtX7PQbeaepAkfubZ4Ja3wrtrSMvqy1wBrqSyyFNe0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />Last year I made myself a <a href="https://docs.v1engineering.com/mpcnc/intro/" target="_blank">MPCNC router</a>, and it has sat idle ever since. I have now used it 'in anger' for the first time to surface the back of the uke mould. It was a bit terrifying, but it worked as expected and didn't crash! <p></p><p>My toolchain is to start with a drawing in <a href="https://inkscape.org/" target="_blank">Inkscape</a> and export as a .svg file. This is imported into <a href="https://estlcam.de/" target="_blank">ESTLCAM</a> to work out the toolpath (Gcode), and then <a href="https://www.repetier.com/" target="_blank">Repetier</a> Host is used to control the MPCNC on a RAMPs board. </p><p>I hope to use this setup to prepare moulds and templates, and maybe to try and carve backs and fronts.</p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-18852806362794270492021-12-10T12:19:00.000+00:002021-12-10T12:19:12.277+00:00Back in the workshop.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0aeuc45W1vVBDMywaEHpDQUIjGp3Hrt3EsWFPvhrIoMUIbThVK9ZTgBvBnM7stjVhP0ThovH332ox2FAqavRXmJYBbLq8-JR7Sq75QRA59V9ApZH8VmKOFKbzZ-eMMmX-EBbkUXjDiau2P5oBUjamjssyhu72SCoWO5MVZ-Jebb28tXFhF_w=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0aeuc45W1vVBDMywaEHpDQUIjGp3Hrt3EsWFPvhrIoMUIbThVK9ZTgBvBnM7stjVhP0ThovH332ox2FAqavRXmJYBbLq8-JR7Sq75QRA59V9ApZH8VmKOFKbzZ-eMMmX-EBbkUXjDiau2P5oBUjamjssyhu72SCoWO5MVZ-Jebb28tXFhF_w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> So, after a long absence, I finally have some time to get back to some luthiery. I have tidied up the garage a bit (and made myself a new workbench) and uploaded a more honest profile photo so there should no excuses. The next instrument on the list is a baritone ukulele (in the pineapple style).<p></p>richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-21494877555514790342014-03-16T21:57:00.000+00:002014-03-16T21:57:47.325+00:00Finally<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwWr8upnkMCriyfFODAv1_jxgaPO285Ouu5SAMK7CEa8eL0Xh0faUSlSKB8fgF7vfiKH1wTXeBy-ea1H9YRbvfaIdz9XoIrx6nJ3sV_7_RC6sDMKacdlawm8C_qx64sNzOxeCgQ/s1600/P1020800+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwWr8upnkMCriyfFODAv1_jxgaPO285Ouu5SAMK7CEa8eL0Xh0faUSlSKB8fgF7vfiKH1wTXeBy-ea1H9YRbvfaIdz9XoIrx6nJ3sV_7_RC6sDMKacdlawm8C_qx64sNzOxeCgQ/s1600/P1020800+right.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a> I finally finished off the lute today. I decided that the previous bridge issues were down to a bad glue joint, so I took extra care this time!<br />
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The sound is nice at the proper pitch but the strings are still stretching so it won't stay in tune for long at the moment. I'll wait a bit before making a soundfile.<br />
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I have learnt a few things with this project. It has been a bit of a battle with this instrument, especially with the tricky yew wood ribs and the troublesome bridge, and I don't think I'll be making any more lutes. However, I really like the style of the peg box, and making my own pegs, and also working with such a light instrument, so I may have a go at a renaissance guitar sometime.<br />
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<br />richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-2014413117642579192014-03-08T23:10:00.001+00:002014-03-08T23:10:11.508+00:00Bang again!The bridge has parted company from the belly again!<br />
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I had re-glued it with Araldite, and I thought this would be sufficient. Everything else is finished on the lute (frets all done, including the ebony ones of the body), so I strung it up again and tuned it to pitch. It was OK for a few minutes and then there was an ominous creaking followed by the familiar 'bang'. This time part of the bridge (the scroll at the end) did break, but this is a simple fix.<br />
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Maybe my glue joint wasn't good enough, or maybe the tension (i.e. my choice of strings) is too great. I am going with the first option, and so I will try again with Araldite - unless anyone out there has any better suggestions! . richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-69322725174720480982014-02-09T18:55:00.000+00:002014-02-09T18:55:20.605+00:00Bang!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKJczyznV_E2_Ey3xGvHhh7K5GmIkGK0PNwp-Vkj9LoNFQ2at2ZmN7vVi77PGrvxpgM5xVsL9DPLf_mxOwuNpz6qwfvAhoYBLuZsN-6O258CBj0Ubd3r98uXaltY5qcDHlr-xUQ/s1600/P1020781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKJczyznV_E2_Ey3xGvHhh7K5GmIkGK0PNwp-Vkj9LoNFQ2at2ZmN7vVi77PGrvxpgM5xVsL9DPLf_mxOwuNpz6qwfvAhoYBLuZsN-6O258CBj0Ubd3r98uXaltY5qcDHlr-xUQ/s1600/P1020781.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I finished the nut, polished up the pegs with wax and fitted the tied frets. I then tied on the strings and started to tension them. All was well for a while (most of the strings a tone or so below their final pitch), and the tone sounded quite nice. Then there was a creaking sound, followed by a 'bang', and off came the bridge - the hide glue joint had failed!<br />
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There is no damage to the belly, so it should be a straightforward job to clean up and glue it back on, but I think I and going to go with a more forgiving adhesive. Probably Araldite (but don't tell anyone!).richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-53063475935066124272014-02-02T18:04:00.002+00:002014-02-02T18:04:58.073+00:00Wax on, Wax off<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The finish is now , ...er, finished! The belly got three coats of my home made wax, and then I finished the whole instrument with Renaissance Micro Crystalline Wax. This leaves a very nice silky finish, and it is claimed to provide excellent protection from fingerprints etc.<br />
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I am going to use Aquila nylgut strings for all the seven courses, as shown below. There seems to be a million different ways to string up a lute, so this is just a guess as to what might work.<br />
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0.42 Nylgut</div>
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0.54 Nylgut</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
d'</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.54 Nylgut</div>
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<br /></div>
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3</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
a</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.68 Nylgut</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
3</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
a</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.68 Nylgut</div>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
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4</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
f</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.85 Nylgut</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
4</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
f</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.85 Nylgut</div>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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5</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
c</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">1.12D Nylgut wound with copper wire</span><span lang="en-GB"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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5</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
c</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">1.12D Nylgut wound with copper wire</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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6</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
g</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.73 Nylgut</div>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
6</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
G</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">1.45D Nylgut wound with copper wire</span><span lang="en-GB"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
</td>
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7</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
d</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
0.85 Nylgut </div>
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<br /></div>
</td>
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<div lang="en-GB" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
7</div>
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
D</div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; font-style: italic; margin: 0in;">
1.65D Nylgut wound with copper wire</div>
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<br /></div>
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</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
The rest of the work will be 'setting up' the strings, nut and gut frets.richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-62307157925508503502014-01-11T19:06:00.001+00:002014-01-11T19:06:58.507+00:00Still at it<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgliGBfoQJxqMT24e4zwD-agGL9598ZuYcA7rQ5qa0TFxWGui8fDnIL0nk3hyMA3eDQDC39p__GcensxvZooqoYDOUPxBZ7pmL4qJLfripeJyfHd461ZM-SuHNoyRN0KQCrnL4Cg/s1600/P1020761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgliGBfoQJxqMT24e4zwD-agGL9598ZuYcA7rQ5qa0TFxWGui8fDnIL0nk3hyMA3eDQDC39p__GcensxvZooqoYDOUPxBZ7pmL4qJLfripeJyfHd461ZM-SuHNoyRN0KQCrnL4Cg/s1600/P1020761.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>It's been a few months since I last posted anything. I've been busy with other things, and the instrument making has taken a back seat. I had a minor 'incident' with the lute - my workshop (garage) had become so untidy that I knocked the lute off its hanging hook and it fell onto the concrete floor. The neck joint and one of the ribs needed repairing, but I'm glad it wasn't worse - my resolution this year is to get a bit more order into the workshop.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I have been making slow but steady progress since then. I finished making the pegs, and I have fitted the pegbox. I have also completed the 'half-binding'. This is a little different to guitar bindings as is doesn't go all the way through the thickness of the belly. This allows the belly to be removed by some future lute repair man without making too much of a mess! My binding material was narrow strips of ebony, and it looks quite neat (but more like 7/8 of the belly thickness). It's all been done with hide glue which I am getting to enjoy using - having an old iron on hand (on a cool setting) helps to make a neat joint.<br />
<br />
With the woodwork now completed, I am starting the finishing process. The bowl will be French polished, and the neck and pegbox will be finished with walnut oil (I've bought a finish made for gun stocks). The belly will be waxed, and this evening I prepared the wax - a mixture of beeswax, carnauba wax and turpentine, which was fun to make. The whole thing will be given a protective wax coat to finish it off. I think that this sounds like a lot of different finishes, but it is what Robert Lundberg suggests in his book, and he should know!richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8473639.post-28260100472776359232013-10-06T22:37:00.000+00:002013-10-06T22:37:12.659+00:00Back to work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlPY8ZCH_9Ll2L1lGtkRcjPAp5Pz1XDu0wjyYfOq9-soH-SHdqXu6eF0v02GCi0eqSc00rsoTJkiANnaugR7dj1QW5LGaqJR8yyxdNj39iV6nalzErUHAhDSybzAMM6rcIFXWNw/s1600/P1020718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlPY8ZCH_9Ll2L1lGtkRcjPAp5Pz1XDu0wjyYfOq9-soH-SHdqXu6eF0v02GCi0eqSc00rsoTJkiANnaugR7dj1QW5LGaqJR8yyxdNj39iV6nalzErUHAhDSybzAMM6rcIFXWNw/s320/P1020718.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's been ages since I had any time for instrument making. I've started a new job, been refurbishing a flat, we've got a new puppy and I've been trying to fix the leak in the d**ned shower. But finally, I've got started on the pegs: The third one from the left has been finished off and I'm using it as my template - the rest are fresh off the lathe. I need thirteen, so I will make about twenty and choose the better ones.<br />
<br />richard hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02841461509787373227noreply@blogger.com0