Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

Sorry...I am a bit chatty! I have made a Uke version of the plates joining press from " The Books". Gore has said that this device is an old luthiers trick. I made mine from Tassie Oak. I did a trial run using nylon cording. It worked but there was a lot of slippage due to man made fibres....Nylon s...

If you have a really hard piece of wood and want to plane the end grain, by applying water to it wth a small paint brush it softens the wood at the end and makes planing it easier.
Pete

Martin....Thanks. I am on a new learning curve and well into it! The Japanese planes need some setting up and nurturing. I am still learning how to use them. My blades are honed on only up to 3000. I need a 6000 or 8000 waterstone to get shavings micro thin. I am more than happy with what I have and...

Thats about it I guess

Scraping uke boards mode.

Shooting mode.

So it took two days not one but I am delighted with my Japanese style planing, scraping and sawing board. Don't know how I managed without it. It is a good heavy solid piece of kit which can be used on the floor or bench mounted. I prefer the bench mount. I am just starting to get used to the Japene...

Thanks for your kind comments. Yes I suppose it is like making a baby!..then it turns into something that plays a lot and eventually leaves us! Other exciting news for me. I have just splashed out $600 dollars on tools and wood. I think I have spent wisely. My bench top now instead of being a disgra...

The bridge needed to go to the right a few Millimetres!
I find bridge set up really hard.
I used a protactor from the 90 but still buggered it!
It plays nicely though.
Has a good bark although Cedar wood top.
Intonation bang on!.
My ear tells me in an instant if its wrong.
Pete

Hopefully a top view? Pete
Thanks.

Today I strung up my second Soprano Uke. When we string to pitch...be honest now! Do we anticpate the bridge twanging off? Well I did and fortunately it held! I will leave it a week or so to bed in before giving it away to a friend. It is very personal. I have spent my time and money building it. It...

Sorry just getting used the photo bit. The above image is what I had in mind but the shape just was not there....and the pegs fouled!. Here is an image of the new shape non fouling pegs. It is " This shape" that was in my mind. Often we visualise something but cannot get it down on paper??? Now I ha...

Well...they say ( Mistakes!) Happen for a reason. I had in my mind a nice roundy woman like curvy head stock. I tried to design it so the strings would run in a straight line to the periphery of the pegs. Completely blind to the fact that the pegs also have the other end on them apart from the immed...

Here is my new mould. Next step. Build the neck.
Pete

Here's my new mould.
Getting excited now.
Nothing new as Ken Timms has covered this.
Just wanted to show how I am getting on.
Pete

Thanks Guys for all your feedback and pics of what you have done. I also think Trento hit the nail. The outside strip of veneer is used to keep it all together and then removed afterwards. What a Gem of a secret that was! And it is precisely this that excites me. Please...I do not expect to be spoon...

Yes!!!.....that is exactly it!... Brilliant. Thanks for the low down on that Trent. I will watch the P R vid again and again. Two questions if I may?.... Did you make that Beautiful instrument? Should I use hot glue or will Tite bond bend just as good under heat?. The idea of the veneer strips each ...

The rope binding I referr to is on photos of the various Nunes Instruments but I am unable to send a picture. Might be ccopyright rules so I have drawn what I mean. The rope is made up of brown and creamy coloured wood and on the inside there is a thin veneer strip. It is quite chunky and to get aro...

I'll get it one day!
Pete

Hopefully this time.
Aghhhhh

One more try at the outline...

I give up.
Good night all.
Pete

And this one ...a birds eye of " the outline ".
I am just learning how to edit!....

Try again!