I was able to get a couple of hours of uke work in today. After putting french polish on those two tenors I left the shop for the sun to carve and shape the necks on the two Concert Pinecones I am building. A beautiful summer day on the patio.
I am working with a scraper on the walnut neck with Bellingham Bay and the islands in the background.
The farthest island is Orcas, in the heart of the San Juans.
The farthest island is Orcas, in the heart of the San Juans.
Here are some of my favorite neck shaping tools. On top, a Japanese rasp. rough on one side, smoother on the other. Below that my favorite chisel, an antique I bought many years ago in England. Sharp as a razor-wonderful sheffield steel.
Next is a trusty and well used rasp, flat on one side rounded on the other'
and finally one of the terrific scrapers that Stew-mac sells. Really a great scraper.
Next is a trusty and well used rasp, flat on one side rounded on the other'
and finally one of the terrific scrapers that Stew-mac sells. Really a great scraper.
Then there is lots of scraper work to do to get the neck feeling just right, and finally some aggressive sanding with the bow sander. When all that is done and it feels right the whole instument will be ready for its final sanding.
I love to work in the bright sunlight. it is amazing how much better you can see your work. Also, the sawdust just blows into the flower beds.