I made some good progress today. Sawed up a nice chunk of Honduran Rosewood and got three fretboards plus a couple of bridge plates out of it for these two ukes I am working on. Then I changed the bandsaw blade, taking off the 1 inch resaw blade and adding a thin 1/4 inch blade for fine work. Sure love this new band saw.
Next I plugged in the hot pipe bender. This cool device is heated with a soldering iron inside. It is great for sharp bends, and for bending purfling.
I got a nice bend on the decoration strip around the Baritone sound hole, Got it glued in with thin superglue. I was careful to put a coat of shellac in the groove. Super glue, especially the thin stuff, will seep into the pores of the spruce and leave a stain.
Now with the thin band saw blade on I was able to saw out the shapes, leaving about a 1/4 inch margin for safety. Tomorrow I am going to put some new sandpaper on the thickness sander and sand these pieces down to proper thickness.
These two are beginning to come together. a few more parts and pieces to assemble and I will soon be carving braces.
But don't think I am neglecting my finishing duties. These two are almost ready to string up.
But don't think I am neglecting my finishing duties. These two are almost ready to string up.
Maybe just one more coating of French Polish?
