WORK PROCEEDS ON THE PINECONES; The first one #46 now has all it's tentalones glued on and I have started on the back, rough shaping the convex exterior so that I can now begin excavating its concave interior. One after the other sides are being fitted and glued, Now I need to make more tentalones on the band saw. The following pictures will give you an idea what this is all about.
1. Here is #46 with all its tentalones attached. The next challenge is to shape and hollow the back and glue it to the tentalones. Before that can be done the tentalones, butt plate and heel plate must be sanded perfectly smooth so that the back will fit perfectly. 
3. Now I am starting on the concave back. First I must shape the convex back. I use three very sharp wood rasps, a coarse, medium and smooth. There may be a mechanical way to do this with a grinder or sander of some sort, but the shape of this back is important and after all these are hand made ukuleles. 
5. Now I turn it around on the holder and start on the other edge. This is going to give you some exercise but it will give you a great feel for the shape. Take your time and enjoy the shaping. | 
2. A closer look at the double row of tentalones . This is what holds together any acoustic instrument. 
4. Notice the hand drawn pencil lines around the back. I draw these in to help me graduate the curve of the back. The back is clamped to a holding device which in turn is clamped into the "Pelican Vise" on my work table. 
6. Now the rough shape is complete and I am ready to take this to the drill press, turn it over and dig out the concave side. When the inside is completed I will finish sanding the outside with an electric oscillating sander. Eventually this back will be a concave shape about 1/8th inch thick. |
