AHG octave mando build

[GGJaguar]

Dots mark the spots!

 

[AcornHouse]

Dots mark the spots!

Not just dots, but the nail holes used to hold the half template on. Aside from being far more secure than even the best double sided tape (don't ask me how I know), it gives a more accurate placing to drill the tuner post holes.

 

[AcornHouse]

Getting ready to rout the headstock, I bandsawed as close as I dared to the template then considered the problem areas. At the top, when I rout towards the top and out, there's typically no issues with grain tear out. Going the other way, however, coming down from the tip, going against the grain, that's when bad things happen.

I don't like bad things.

So I took it to the spindle sander to get as close as I dared, so that there'd be as little wood for the router bit to grab as possible.

Turns out I dared quite well. As I was doing it I decided to just go ahead and sand to the template, being careful not to sand into the template. Before I knew it the whole headstock was done and the router never had a chance to spoil my day (and the headstock!)

 

[GGJaguar]

We don't need no stinkin' router.

 

[Nuuska]

We don't need no stinkin' router.

We don't need no stinking router
We don't need machine control
No false-cut headstock on the mando
NICA - watch where you put paw

All in all it's just some
sawdust on the floor

 

[AcornHouse]

Shaping the mini-volute.

 

[AcornHouse]

Got a little hole-y-er than thou.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I like how the top of the headstock looks a little like the tip of an acorn!

 

[AcornHouse]

And a shot from the front.

 

[GGJaguar]

Those are some good lookin' tuners.

 

[AcornHouse]

And kudos to Rubner for including an extra ferrule. And I haven't counted them yet, but I bet there's an extra screw or two, too, to use if needed.

 

[AcornHouse]

Those are some good lookin' tuners.

I went onto StewMac’s site because Google came up with a hit for Rubner tuners there. Spoiler alert, NOT!
While there, I looked at the Waverly tuners which are 5 times the price of the Rubners.
Look a little industrial crude to my eye compared with the Rubners. I’ll stick with them.

 

[GGJaguar]

I looked at the Waverly tuners

My Martin Custom Shop 12-fret dread has 3-on-a-plate Waverly tuners. They look nice, but they are a bit rough to turn and I'm not impressed.

 

[AcornHouse]

If anyone wants to explore Rubner’s offerings, their website is https://www.rubnertuners.com/

 

[AcornHouse]

Getting the heel nice and scratch free before glue up.

Top tip: If you want to check that you've got all the scratches out, especially on figured wood, wipe it down with mineral spirits. As a bonus, it takes off any pencil marks.

 

[GGJaguar]

Does The Supervisor mandate that you wear the company uniform?

 

[AcornHouse]

Does The Supervisor mandate that you wear the company uniform?

She's a stickler for appearance.

 

[AcornHouse]

Glued and clamped.

 

[AcornHouse]

Out of the clamps, looking, and feeling, secure.

I'll wait until tomorrow or Monday to let the glue fully cure before drilling for the locking dowels.

 

[GGJaguar]

When does the neck carving happen?