GGJaguar
Reverential Member
You might do better if you go directly to The Supervisor for some info.
Last edited:
AHG octave mando build
- Thread starter AcornHouse
- Start date
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Better be well stocked with treats. A small warehouse should do.You might to better if you go directly to The Supervisor for some info.
Looks close and loyal to co-workers. I will not cause friction between supervisor and builder.Got called in for a mandatory staff meeting by the boss.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
The deed is done, the tale may be told.
As you may have noticed, I have referred to the name of this instrument as "The Thistle", for reasons which may be revealed in due course. Thanks to a "design opportunity" I decided to give it a suitable mark. After researching various imagery, and working out a design, I started assembling the pieces that would form the thistle, using some of the walnut waste from the back.
I was a little concerned with how I was to give them a suitable curve, but that actually turned out to be a piece of cake, after extra reinforcement with CA glue and tape.
Why did it need to be curved you may ask? (Well, go on. We haven't got all night.)
Because the thistle would be inlaid on the back of the neck.
I know, right!
(End, Chapter 1)
As you may have noticed, I have referred to the name of this instrument as "The Thistle", for reasons which may be revealed in due course. Thanks to a "design opportunity" I decided to give it a suitable mark. After researching various imagery, and working out a design, I started assembling the pieces that would form the thistle, using some of the walnut waste from the back.
I was a little concerned with how I was to give them a suitable curve, but that actually turned out to be a piece of cake, after extra reinforcement with CA glue and tape.
Why did it need to be curved you may ask? (Well, go on. We haven't got all night.)
Because the thistle would be inlaid on the back of the neck.
I know, right!
(End, Chapter 1)
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
I had seen a couple of very high end with far more elaborate necks, but they are exceedingly rare, and information on techniques are all but non-existent. So I proceeded very slowly (as you noticed) contemplating and figuring out the best way to accomplish this feat. Even clamping proved a challenge, requiring a custom contoured clamp.
Finally, the pocket for the bottom part was ready.
And the inlay was glued and clamped. (There will be more pics of the process to follow.)
(End, Chapter 2)
Finally, the pocket for the bottom part was ready.
And the inlay was glued and clamped. (There will be more pics of the process to follow.)
(End, Chapter 2)
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
When it had cured and flushed with the neck surface, it was time to do the top part. A tad easier now that I'd worked out the best tools and techniques.
My weapons of choice (plus some miniature chisels shown below.)
First I scribe around the pieces with the marking knife, not trying to go too deep, lest the point stray.
Then the outline is deepened with the knife and the miniature router plane starts working out material, going back and forth between the knife and the plane.
The small file gets into the points and also helps refine the outline, and the miniature chisel helps shape the pocket surface.
(End, Chapter 3)
My weapons of choice (plus some miniature chisels shown below.)
First I scribe around the pieces with the marking knife, not trying to go too deep, lest the point stray.
Then the outline is deepened with the knife and the miniature router plane starts working out material, going back and forth between the knife and the plane.
The small file gets into the points and also helps refine the outline, and the miniature chisel helps shape the pocket surface.
(End, Chapter 3)
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
One of the things I thought might happen is that as the pocket gets deeper, the outline changes and the the sides need to be extended. All due to the curve of the neck.
But in due course the flower part of the thistle is glued and clamped after reshaping the clamping caul. I also found that binding tape was needed to hold down the tips, as well as keeping things in position as I clamped.
After the glue had dried I could do a clean up and rough flush of the surfaces
So Gentle Reader, I present to you, The Thistle.
But in due course the flower part of the thistle is glued and clamped after reshaping the clamping caul. I also found that binding tape was needed to hold down the tips, as well as keeping things in position as I clamped.
After the glue had dried I could do a clean up and rough flush of the surfaces
So Gentle Reader, I present to you, The Thistle.
Outstanding!
Chris:
I stand, sit, and stoop in amazement at the work you do. Following this thread has revealed some of your personality and I am thinking when you build an instrument, you build as though you really are building it for yourself. I have heard that phrase abused before but think you do everything in your mental and physical ability to make it the best.
I stand, sit, and stoop in amazement at the work you do. Following this thread has revealed some of your personality and I am thinking when you build an instrument, you build as though you really are building it for yourself. I have heard that phrase abused before but think you do everything in your mental and physical ability to make it the best.
That is AMAZINGLY cool, Chris. Putting that kind of detail and effort into an area of the neck that no one will ever appreciate except the player. I really admire that! And, that is intensely cool. If I ever commission a guitar, I will have to ask for something like that! Wow!One of the things I thought might happen is that as the pocket gets deeper, the outline changes and the the sides need to be extended. All due to the curve of the neck.
But in due course the flower part of the thistle is glued and clamped after reshaping the clamping caul. I also found that binding tape was needed to hold down the tips, as well as keeping things in position as I clamped.
After the glue had dried I could do a clean up and rough flush of the surfaces
So Gentle Reader, I present to you, The Thistle.
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< applause >
Outstanding!
Outstanding!
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
But it's too cold outside!
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Just to forestall any questions, I'll be taking a few days away to start on some Xmas gifts. Got various scraps milled up today for a cutting board that were in the unheated workshop. I'll let them acclimate tomorrow when I'm up in Columbus and glue up on Sunday after retrieving more heavy duty clamps.
You deserve more than a few days off--both mentally and physically.
Enjoy your time.
Enjoy your time.
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
A little time reflecting on the arrangement does wonders. I've done some tweaking and think I have a better balance of asymmetry amongst the 4 (and a half) species. I'm counting the cherry as 1-1/2 since some of the pieces are more sapwood than Heartwood and that will be more of a difference as it ages.
Opsimath
Senior Member
I'll let them acclimate tomorrow when I'm up in Columbus and glue up on Sunday after retrieving more heavy duty clamps.
You need more clamps?! I sure thought you had a gracious plenty!
AcornHouse
Venerated Member
Just retrieving them from the workshop. And, no, there is no such thing as enough clamps.
Nor enough space in a workshop.