I actually had a pretty good afternoon in the workshop but by 4:30 I was fried. I successfully bent all of the binders after breaking a bunch of them in the process yesterday. I had failed to spritz them with water before bending taking the advice of a LMI video. Take my advice, spritz them first and get them nice and wet before bending. Today I had 100% success.
Here are the ukes with their binders and purfling all ready for the next step.
This strange looking device is going to be used to glue down the binding and purling to the ukes. Big rubber bands criss cross the instrument pressing the parts to the uke. You will see a picture of it in action, once I get to that point BUT FIRST
A painstaking process as you must carve out an entry for the binding and purling into the neck. Most of this surgery will be covered by the fret-board but it must be done carefully as it will be visible from the side 
The channel for the binding and purling starts with three saw cuts using the extremely fine saws made by the Exacto Company. I have found their tools to be excellent and extremely helpful. | 
And then on the back you must cut a channel to accept the binding and purling along this line that I have drawn. Once again, it will be covered by the heel cap but will be visible from the side. Great care needs be taken.  After lots of cutting and digging I have a nice channel for the binding. Phew ! this is tiring work I don't think I am charging enough for these ukes! I AM THROUGH FOR THE DAY |
