Recent Projects
I thought I'd give all my faithful website visitors the opportunity to get a glimpse of certain projects in the works, so that both of you can have a better understanding of construction techniques and step-by-step processes. Enjoy!
How to Use Up Time During a Pandemic
Thankfully, I'm not exactly unemployed during the Pandemic of 2020, but my part-time job responsibilities have been significantly reduced for a month or two at least, and as I have caught up on some home improvements I am now able to devote some attention to what, as Jim B. says, I should be doing...making fiddles.
Before our lives were disrupted by COVID-19, I was in discussion with potential customers about some Criddle posibilities, and I decided to do a donkey model. I already have a great name for it.
"Don Keyxote"
Here are some photos of the carving process. I was otherwise happy with the results until I discovered that I made a couple errors, not with the head, but with the pegbox, that will require me to make a whole new neck. For now though you can get the idea of the step-by-step.
Before our lives were disrupted by COVID-19, I was in discussion with potential customers about some Criddle posibilities, and I decided to do a donkey model. I already have a great name for it.
"Don Keyxote"
Here are some photos of the carving process. I was otherwise happy with the results until I discovered that I made a couple errors, not with the head, but with the pegbox, that will require me to make a whole new neck. For now though you can get the idea of the step-by-step.
Late 2019 to Early 2020, Mook Jong and Great Wheel Spinning Wheel
My Latest Violin, Early 2019
I received an order for a violin just before Christmas, and started construction in early January. Construction will be straightforward enough, but the customer wants it finished in a non-traditional way, which is always a challenge I welcome. As of this posting, I am about three weeks into the project when I suffered a major mishap during the process of gluing the ribs to the top plate, which will require me to begin a new set of ribs.
Update: 03/14/19
I made another rib assembly and carried on. The neck came out well, as did the back. I will install the back purfling next, then finish out the edges and channels. Construction on the accessory parts will be last. As I carve out these pieces I will also be experimenting with dyeing and finishing processes.
I received an order for a violin just before Christmas, and started construction in early January. Construction will be straightforward enough, but the customer wants it finished in a non-traditional way, which is always a challenge I welcome. As of this posting, I am about three weeks into the project when I suffered a major mishap during the process of gluing the ribs to the top plate, which will require me to begin a new set of ribs.
Update: 03/14/19
I made another rib assembly and carried on. The neck came out well, as did the back. I will install the back purfling next, then finish out the edges and channels. Construction on the accessory parts will be last. As I carve out these pieces I will also be experimenting with dyeing and finishing processes.
February 9, 2017
As per the last "Blahg" entry, I've been working on the white oak headboards and progress is being made. I actually have the construction on the headboards themselves completed, and am now working on night stands for the full-size. The headboards are Craftsman Style, with mortise-and-tenon construction, while the night stands are a hybrid Craftsman method, with fly-away shelves attached to posts, swivel pull storage boxes, and lamps. We have a weird house, so I had to come up with a design that has to stand alone, move easily, and fit the wall without obstructing a floor vent and a window. Hopefully it will turn out well, suit our needs, look good, and use up all the remaining white oak I have in my commodity pile. Interestingly, I rediscovered some large red oak boards in the pile that should be just enough to make a television or bookshelf stand, but that will be later.
Update: January 23, 2019
I finished the white oak headboards with nightstands last July, so have a look at the photos and see what you think.
As per the last "Blahg" entry, I've been working on the white oak headboards and progress is being made. I actually have the construction on the headboards themselves completed, and am now working on night stands for the full-size. The headboards are Craftsman Style, with mortise-and-tenon construction, while the night stands are a hybrid Craftsman method, with fly-away shelves attached to posts, swivel pull storage boxes, and lamps. We have a weird house, so I had to come up with a design that has to stand alone, move easily, and fit the wall without obstructing a floor vent and a window. Hopefully it will turn out well, suit our needs, look good, and use up all the remaining white oak I have in my commodity pile. Interestingly, I rediscovered some large red oak boards in the pile that should be just enough to make a television or bookshelf stand, but that will be later.
Update: January 23, 2019
I finished the white oak headboards with nightstands last July, so have a look at the photos and see what you think.