Mandolin Hiatas & Some Jigs

I've got a few things about the Mandolin I've been working on that I am not happy with and I'm not sure how or even if I can change it at this late stage so I've put it on the back burner for now and will get ready to start a new build probably in September since between work and fun this month is looking very full..

I've also been working on some jigs. Lutherie is full of jig and even if you have all you think you need you always seem to come up with more or a better version of one you have.. I went on a course with Charles Fox this summer and he is certainly the master of jig and process for the guitar builder..

I've got a fair number of ideas for improvements or new jigs to help thing along.. The main one I just finished is a universal mold, I had one but this one is better it incorporates a method of centering the end block for a bolt on neck, thus making neck alignment easier -- I hope.. Plus I made a couple of jigs to aid in making standard parts for the hell block and bridge blank.

Improved universal mold

T-track & bolts center the end block

Kind of boring parts cutting jigs

Mandolin Coming Along

Well, I've made some progress on the Mandolin. I've done some veneers on the back & top of the headstock and trimmed it to shape using a piece of tool steel sharpened and set in a drill press. My preferred method for doing this. Very safe for the headstock & my fingers.

I've also rough tapered the neck so now it sort of looks like a Mandolin..

Guess I have to break out the go-bar deck next and finish the back .....

It is a really simple method, not fast as it takes many passes but easy and safe

See it does look like a Mandolin

Restored Tenor Banjo

So I finished fixing up he tenor banjo I got on ebay well over a year ago.. It needed a new fretboard (it was missing one completely) and new tuners and a new tailpiece.. Plays good and sounds like - well a banjo...

It's a short sale (20") 17 fret one.

I've got it set up for Irish tuning GDAE..

Making Fingerboards

Still working on the Mandolin and then there is this 1930 tenor banjo that has been laying around the shop for months waiting for a bit of a clean up and a new fingerboard. So yesterday I made up two fingerboards one Mandolin sized and one for the banjo..

June is Almost Gone

It's been a busy month the usual start of summer yard work but more interestingly I got to attend one of Charles Fox's guitar building courses.. A whirlwind week of jigs, fixtures, process and techniques as well a a lot of good advice on what to do or not to do..

Also very cool to see some of techniques used to produce is high end Ergo guitars..

Very much worth the time!

Carving a Mandolin Top

I'm making progress on carving the top for this Sobell/Kay style mandolin..

I confess I used all the tricks to speed up the process like a drill press to set the curve and a safty planer to rough out the shape but still of course finishing it with finger planes...

Figuring out the arch

Lots of wood chips

After a bit of sanding

Back To Building

I've been away from instrument building for a while  as I was working on some home improvements and went away on vacation..  Now its time to get back to building things with strings..

Joe who is helping me with the archtop tenor is tied up for a few months so while I'm waiting for him to have some free time I'll move on to the next project..

A Mandolin.. in the Sobell Style but in a body shape the hints at an old Kay Mandolin..

Rosewood and Englemann Spruce with Blood wood trim...

Should be interesting...