AHG octave mando build

[AcornHouse]

So, what's going on with Thistle I hear you ask?
I think I have enough shellac on at this point. Now it gets to sit for a few days to let the shellac cure and shrink and the oil to completely rise to the surface as much as it can. Then I'll do the spiriting off process, using mostly alcohol, to draw out the oil and bring up the gloss.

 

[AcornHouse]

Almost forgot...

 

[5thumbs]

I dunno. I think perhaps your motto should be "Too Pretty To Be Played".

 

[Default]

Just a a n00b question, but how do you know when enough is enough, when bodying the finish?

 

[AcornHouse]

Just a a n00b question, but how do you know when enough is enough, when bodying the finish?

Good question. Wish I knew a definitive answer. Going by the shine as it is; the number of sessions; the feel; and how consistent it is over all. If there were areas that seemed to be less shiny then I'd continue.

 

[hearth_man]

Almost forgot...

I love the proportions of that deep body!

 

[AcornHouse]

With the uke's braces carved, it is time to clear all the spruce shavings off and start the spiriting off process on Thistle.
While a lot of the oil has dried/evaporated, there is still some left on the surface. Spiriting off uses alcohol with just a few drops of shellac in it to clean off the oil. Compare the spiriting off solution on the left with the shellac on the right in the pic. The tiny bit of shellac also helps bring up the shine as the alcohol softens the surface while cleaning it.
This process will take place for the next fews days, doing a couple of sessions per day.

 

[GGJaguar]

Bottles of secret sauces!

 

[AcornHouse]

Bottles of secret sauces!

If I told you what's in them I'd have to kill you.

Oh, wait. I already told you. Alright, on my way.

 

[Stuball48]

With the uke's braces carved, it is time to clear all the spruce shavings off and start the spiriting off process on Thistle.
While a lot of the oil has dried/evaporated, there is still some left on the surface. Spiriting off uses alcohol with just a few drops of shellac in it to clean off the oil. Compare the spiriting off solution on the left with the shellac on the right in the pic. The tiny bit of shellac also helps bring up the shine as the alcohol softens the surface while cleaning it.
This process will take place for the next fews days, doing a couple of sessions per day.

Do you have a Doctorate in Chemistry? How do you retain so much of "what and how these mixture will react?"

 

[AcornHouse]

Do you have a Doctorate in Chemistry? How do you retain so much of "what and how these mixture will react?"

Just the lore of the practices that have been handed down.

 

[Stuball48]

Just the lore of the practices that have been handed down.

You grasped those well and got a heap of wisdom on dealing with wood.

 

[AcornHouse]

Hopefully the slightly off center serial number adds to the bespoke charm.

 

[GGJaguar]

Hopefully the slightly off center serial number adds to the bespoke charm.

Hand punched by a human. No laser burners here!

 

[AcornHouse]

I've been working the last few days on getting ready to electroplate the tailpiece in nickel.

First I needed to make the nickel acetate solution by adding some nickel to salty vinegar and running a charge through two sides. The positive/anode nickel will sacrifice it's nickel ions into the solution, drawn by the negative/cathode. (Take notes, there will be a quiz later.)
I'm using an old phone charger for the power supply so it took a couple of days to get a decent concentration. You can see the 1st day's anode on the right and see how much was eaten away.



I tested first on changing a penny into a nickel.




Then I did the tailpiece's bright shiny brass screws.



They did OK but I couldn't get the slots to plate. Some contaminant is keeping the nickel off. I don't want to keep going and fill the slots and make the screws unscrewable, so they'll have to do as a little splash of color.



Now I need to work out the best way to suspend the tailpiece. Not today, though.

 

[Prince of Darkness]

I've been working the last few days on getting ready to electroplate the tailpiece in nickel.

First I needed to make the nickel acetate solution by adding some nickel to salty vinegar and running a charge through two sides. The positive/anode nickel will sacrifice it's nickel ions into the solution, drawn by the negative/cathode. (Take notes, there will be a quiz later.)
I'm using an old phone charger for the power supply so it took a couple of days to get a decent concentration. You can see the 1st day's anode on the right and see how much was eaten away.



I tested first on changing a penny into a nickel.




Then I did the tailpiece's bright shiny brass screws.



They did OK but I couldn't get the slots to plate. Some contaminant is keeping the nickel off. I don't want to keep going and fill the slots and make the screws unscrewable, so they'll have to do as a little splash of color.



Now I need to work out the best way to suspend the tailpiece. Not today, though.

I've used the same method to replate some razors. Simple, cheap, but effective!

 

[GGJaguar]

getting ready to electroplate the tailpiece in nickel

 

[AcornHouse]

 

[GAD]

Glorious.

 

[AcornHouse]

Checking that my rigging for the tailpiece is secure.