Another busy day...

I fitted the end strip..

[image][/image]

And cutaway bindings..

[image][/image]

to the first uke..

Then I drilled the heel block in the second uke ready for the neck fittings. Next I marked up the second neck. Drilled and temporarily pinned the fretboard to the neck, and marked the 14th fret where it joins the body. Then I marked out the back angle, cut off the excess from the heel, and planed it back so the neck blank mates to the body in the right place and at the right angle.

Here it is clamped in a test fitting while I think overnight about how to proceed. It mates to the body at the right angles. But I need to decide whether to make the end of the body flat to match the neck, or to make the end of the neck concave to match the body. I'm tending towards the latter, or a mix of both.

[image][/image]

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Looking at that pic of the neck block reminds me I must talk to you about a lap steel...

Looking grande, hopefully get a peek in person soon

Hewesy

Cheers Hewesy

No problem having a peek if our paths cross, and we can talk lap steels then if you want.

Meanwhile, here's that neck again. In the end I decided for a mix of working on the body and the neck. And once done I drilled for the neck fittings and applied thin superglue as recommended.

[image][/image]

Then it was back to the first body and rough trimming the bindings flush.

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

More tomorrow..

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

kudos

Loving this thread!

Many thanks Remmy.

I had a day of many parts today. First I spent some time screwing the fittings into the heel of the neck blank and then made a test fitting to make sure everything was in the right place.

[image][/image]

Then I took it apart again and applied some superglue to the fittings per the instructions. Here's a closer look of the fittings in place and the heel block in the body.

[image][/image]

With that done, I spent some time with the chisel trimming back the bindings a little further. One of the problems with flame maple is that it is very prone to splitting. The flame is where the grain turns out at an angle and runs across the piece instead of along it. So no matter how careful you are, there's always a risk. Sides are bad enough, but bindings are very likely to split. And I managed to get 2 bad splits, one on the front and one on the back. So before going any further, these needed to be closed and glued.

A sensible person would have glued one, left it to dry overnight, and then glued the second and left that overnight again.

Here's a pic of what it looked like when I glued both at the same time..

[image][/image]

And I even managed to make the time to tidy the workshop and give it a good sweep. So as a special reward I'm taking a day off on Monday for the Bank Holiday as well as Sunday off as normal. Although my brother does want me to have a look at one of his basses....

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

After a lazy bank holiday, it was back to work....

I notched the kerfing on the 2nd uke, preparing to fit the back. Then I settled down with a sharp chisel and carried on trimming back the bindings on the 1st. Pretty much reached the point where I have to start using a scraper and then sandpaper.

[image][/image]

Andy

--------------------
When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

For some reason, ok.. I'd been in the pub last night, I forgot to put up yesterday's pics.

The back is on the second uke now, it's on the go-bar deck now and I'll soon be off to check it out.

On the second uke I switched from the chisel to sandpaper and carried on taking the bindings flush. And then I wiped it down with white spirit to help lift the dust.

[image][/image]

[image][/image]

Starting to look good. And I couldn't resist misbehaving a little. This is one piece of kitchen roll damped with white spirit.

[image][/image]

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Here's the second uke with the back attached.

[image][/image]

And here it is after I attacked it with the Dremel to cut the binding channels.

[image][/image]

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Today started fine, I cut the channels for the end strips at both ends of the body.

Then I dug out the Dremel router base and fine tuned the binding channels around the waist.

[image][/image]

And then it was time to start bending the bindings and purflings.

And that's when things started getting nasty. The first bloodwood binding split, so after taking a break I started again and managed to bend a full set for one side of the front. Then I started on the other side and another split.

[image][/image]

Now, I had four bloodwood bindings and 2 split badly. So I used the last and it also split, hopefully not so bad that it can't be used, but it is borderline. You can see the good set in the background.

[image][/image]

Fortunately, I do have another complete set of four bloodwood bindings the same size that I ordered for the net uke. So I'm not completely stuck. But I need to think carefully about how I go about bending them. One option is to soak them overnight first. Another is to make a steel strap with handles to support the bindings from behind during bending. And a 3rd option is to do both.

It could be that I was just unlucky and the 1st set of bindings suffer from bad grain.

So food for thought.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

I've heard of using an ordinary iron on its steam setting to soften thin veneers. Would that work in this situation?

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It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)

Good thinking, but I'm afraid not. The bending iron is used with water and/or a damp cloth anyway, so it's actually already doing the same as a steam iron. And it's hotter than the iron.

The main issue is to support the bindings from the back, to prevent splitting.

Hopefully I just got very unlucky with the grain direction.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

i think you juts need to go slower and more gently Andy... that stuff is always more awkward than maple and it's ilk....


rather than trying to get it in one go.... do it in a couple of visits....

not sure about metal band backing, as it acts as a heat sink and spreads the heat further along the back of the work piece.... the issue there being the faster cooling of the immediate area at which you're working...

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if you don't know who i am, i aint gonna tell you.

Cheers Max!

I have been thinking along those lines as well. Of course, you can never be certain, but I tend to be pretty gentle and let the heat do the work anyway. And even with a lot of extra care I was getting some nasty splits.

Using a metal strap is well established, especially where the wood is prone to splits. I remember StewMac and/or LMI selling them in the past. And side bending machines sandwich the wood between metal slats to similar effect.

So I decided to buy a 4 pack of cider

And once I've emptied some of the cans I'll get the tin snips out and make some aluminium straps and fit wooden handles. Then I'll make good use of the broken pieces and run a few tests. If it helps, great. If not, I'll run a few more experiments and see if I can knock up something to let me pre-steam the binding strips and/or soak overnight.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

The cider is working

And I did get a pic of the repair to the split binding.

[image][/image]

And I now have empty cans to use to make metal straps

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Step one.... essential equipment.

[image][/image]

And after a little work, you end up with this.

[image][/image]

There is a test piece behind. It is the tightest bend I have made, and even though there was a small split, it bent with the wood and remained closed.

Result.

And then I glued the first side's binding in..

[image][/image]

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Well, here's the second set of bindings bent and ready to glue tomorrow.

[image][/image]

The bloodwood was fine once I glued the split and carefully avoided heating it as I finished bending.

However, that does leave 2 broken and unfit for use. I thought I had another set for the next uke... but not so. I have black and bloodwood for the bandings, but the bindings I ordered are flame maple. So it looks like I need to order some more. I think I'll order 6. That way I'll either have spares, or a complete set of 4 left over for a future project. Don't you just love planning? LOL

It's a pain having to make such a small order, the shipping will be a big whack on top. But I can't really afford to buy more for stock right now, even though it would spread the postage further.

Meanwhile, I have to finalise both headstocks now as I'll have to work on the necks while I await delivery of new bindings.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

So, here's that second side bound. It all went together nicely.

[image][/image]

Now I have to get those replacement woods ordered. And get the headstock templates finished so I can get on with the necks while I wait.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Cant wait to see those beasties buffed up.

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.. is this thing on?

Quote Stan:

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Cant wait to see those beasties buffed up.

---

It's easy for you to say that mate. I'm the poor fool who has to do the buffing, and I have to French Polish the d*mn things first!!!

But I removed the Sellotape this afternoon, and there was a split opening up. So it was glued thus...

[image][/image]

Bit otherwise, it looks good.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

I've had the pleasure of seeing these in "the flesh" (and meeting Zen of course!) and these pictures don't do them justice. Great craftsmanship, and a lovely chap too.

Oh, and the workplace is tiny!

Amazing stuff.

Hewesy

Cheers mate,

I guess that means I have to carry on !!

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

One of the best things about this superb thread is the building of a handmade instrument and all that it entails - i can can assure you zenguitar i meant no offence in my impatience to see the buffed beauties - take your time master - i'm loving it. no pressure from me. and apologies if any other thing was interpreted.

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.. is this thing on?

Don't worry Stan, I was just being light hearted.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Quote zenguitar:

---

Cheers mate,

I guess that means I have to carry on !!

Andy

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'Frail so mate! Or turn the cutaway model into an octave mandolin and send it my way...!

Hewesy

LOL

No chance mate...

But if I happen to send you plans for a lap steel, double check everything...

You need long arms and legs to play a 60" scale lap steel

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Be handy for my John Paul Jones tribute though (the Purple Beast must be 60").

Any plans or tips gratefully recieved chap

Hewesy

Woo - as I'm primarily a keyboard player I don’t normally frequent the Guitar Technology forum, but when I spotted this thread from Andy I just had to read it all the way through.

This is truly inspired, and it’s SO encouraging to find out that even the experts run into problems - the difference between them and the amateurs is that experts don’t panic, lose their temper, and throw everything at the wall

They simply sort out the best way forward.

True professionalism - can’t wait to see the completed instruments Andy!


Martin

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YewTreeMagic

I too stumbled on this thread and read every single post (all 4 pages) in one sitting absolutely inspiring - I even sat with my girlfriend and looked through all the pictures - she loves how they are looking.

I have an interest in building a 12 string electric guitar as soon as the budget permits. Unfortunately my skills are far more limited than Andy's. (Think ape mashing a banana with a stone). I do enjoy finishing guitars though and have done a few resprays that are reasonable.

I have a design in my head = just need the wood and time and a big injection of skill.

Mart

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http://www.myspace.com/cottonsalamander

Many thanks guys.

I decided to take a sabbatical last week, when you find yourself tinkering around for a few hours with nothing to do it's time to take a breather.

I've got to make a trip to the bank and pay in the cash so I can finally order the new bloodwood bindings, and then it's time to knuckle down and build those templates for the headstocks.

And then I can knuckle down again and make some more progress.

And yes Martin W, a large part of the exercise is about doing it for real. Problems do arise, and that's when you have to stop and think and come up with a solution. Most problems can be overcome with a little thought and patience, and sometimes you just have to learn to let go and be satisfied with less than perfection. No matter how good it turns out, there will always be little details that you look at and think 'I know I could have done that better', even if you're the only one who notices. And I guess that's what makes you get on with the next project

And Martin R, if you can do decent finishing you have a great chance of making a 12 string electric to be proud of. If you really want to give it a go, I'd be happy to help you out with your designs and planning once these are finished. The key thing is to avoid rushing into too much detail too fast. Get a clear idea of what you want in broad terms first, and then live with it for a while. And bear in mind that a simple design well executed will always be better than a complex design done averagely.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

i have read that George Harrison traveled with two ukuleles - the story goes - it was just incase he ran he ran into someone who could also play.<a href="http://www.downloadvlcplayer.net">vlc player download</a>

{creeeeaaak}
{clump}{CLump{CLUmp}{CLUMP}
{shuffle}
Helooooooo.
Anybody here?
{shuffle}{shuffle}
{CLUMP}
{CLUmp}
...
{CLump}{clump}
{creeeee-aak}{snick}

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It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)

Don't worry, will soon be back on track, I promise

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

{sweep} {sweep} {sweep} {sweep} {sweep} {sweep}

{cough}

{sweep} {sweep}

{dust} {dust} {dust} {dust}


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It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)

Yes, yes, I know...

More bloodwood bindings on the way soon. And then back to work.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Deep Joy Gentlepeeps..

Funds have cleared, and tomorrow the order is going in for the Bloodwood binding strips. And then we can get back to work as soon as they arrive

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Glad to hear it! I'm really looking forward to seeing this project finished.

Dan

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It wasn't me!
(Well, actually, it probably was)

Latest update...

The bloodwood bindings are with the courier in Illinois and UK bound, if you pardon the pun.

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.

Hello.. Hello..
Oh it looks like someone's had a dust around, but still very quiet.

I've received the bindings, the weather is improving, so should be back on track in the next week or so.

And thanks for checking in again

Andy

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When the going gets weird, the Weird turn Pro.