Here #100 is in the assembly jig. This will hold the sides in their proper position once they are cut to the proper length. I found the bend at the shoulder a little too straight and decided to bend it a bit more, so--
I set up my pipe bender. The idea here is to bend wood over a hot pipe that is heated by a propane torch blowing into the open end. You want a stop of aluminum foil at the other end so you don't burn yourself, and to contain the heat. This baby gets really hot, and fast.
With just a wee bit more bend the sides fit perfectly and by this evening I was able to take it out of the assembly jigs complete with tentalones securing the sides to the soundboard.
I have put the bridge and saddle in the approximate position and the uncut fretboard on the neck just to get a feel for what this is going to look like. I will be putting the sound hole purfling around the entire edge of the body inside the binder. Now I need to figure how best to shape the fretboard. Thinking about a curving cut beside the sound hole. Got any suggestions?
Now I need to get the back ready to attach. I will scribe its shape, then make it's three braces and glue them on. Much better to wait till the sides are on before determining the shape of the back. I built quite a few ukes before that dawned on me.
While the glue was drying I was able to bend two more sides for #101. This will be a Brazilian Rosewood and Cedar tenor ordered by a Bellingham friend. Here the first side is done and the second is cooling in the bender. This one is a couple of weeks behind but coming along.
