Today I got the three necks carved into very nice shape, good enough to mount on the tone boards when they are ready. I truly love to carve necks. It is one of the free form creative moments in Ukulele building.
I use a variety of tools. I start out with the spokeshave to curve and carve the shaft- then I switch to both the round and flat surfers rasps as seen in this picture working on the walnut neck.
Now the neck is completed about as far as I will complete it until it is attached to the body and the fretboard is attached. Then with scraper and fine rasp, bow sander and lots of sanding-it will be made into final form.
But carving sometimes takes it's toll. Nicked myself and didn't realize it until I saw blood on the Alaska Cedar neck. Happily it sanded out easily. This build is utilizing three different neck woods. The most important attribute of a neck wood is stability, the wood must not be subject to changing with atmospheric changes. The three woods that I am using are Walnut, Alaska Cedar, and Honduran Mahogany, all three famous for their stable natures.
