I felt like whittling today so I started by working on the twelve braces that I would need. Pinecones only take two bout braces on the top or tone board. I marked the end tapers, whittled them to the proper shape, planed them to the correct 5/16th height and whittled and sanded to the finish point
The braces are now done and ready to install when the time is right. Next project was to measure and mark the sides preparing them for the table saw and sawing them to shape. One inch at either end rising to 1 1/4 in the center which will be positioned at the bottom or butt end. These ukes are thickest at the butt end.
You carefully draw out the neck shape on this pre-cut blank and then cut the side lines on the band saw. These six walnut necks are now ready to be finished. First the top surface must be sanded perfectly flat, then the side slots will be cut, the indent for the top nibbled in and the rasp work of shaping will follow. I think tomorrow I will put new sandpaper in the thickness sander and sand the tops down to their proper thickness. That will take some time but needs to be next so I will know how deep to nibble the indent for the top. I am beginning to sense the efficiencies in doing several instruments at once.