Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

After I've joined the neck and fretboard to the body, I do some fine tuning of the heel and neck with a chisel, scraper and sandpaper. In order to hold the ukulele firmly on the bench I came up with a simple two-point clamping system:



The first picture shows the headstock being held against a beveled wooden block by a large rubber band with a foam spacer in between the headstock and block. The block itself is held by a small vise. When the ukulele is flipped over to work on the other side, the bevel block is reversed.



The second picture shows two stiff pieces of packing foam, shaped to fit the waist of the ukulele. These in turn are held against the ukulele with a long adjustable slide clamp. The foam is slightly compressible and provides a firm cushion for the sides.

aloha,

Dave Hurd




http://www.ukuleles.com

Good idea Dave. I've usually clamped mine in the vise with foam to drill for the neck bolt, but your way looks a bit safer.

What are the golf balls for?

Hip.

G'day Hip,

It turns out that golf balls make wonderful handles for files and such. Of course, as the ceiling of my shop near the drill press will testify, the liquid center ones should be put aside for another purpose...

aloha,

Dave Hurd
http://www.ukuleles.com