MIMF

In the past, I’ve done French Polishing and recall that it is not advisable to put on more than a few applications each day. So I followed that advice. I am now trying a new (to me) process that comes from a Luthier that turns out some really nice stuff. This involves doing 3 applications of 2 # she...

Okay, thanks. Razor knife and sharp chisel makes sense. I used sharp chisel and sharp chisel. Lots of work. I've used a router in the past, but that's scary. Mario wrote: "Jigs are for when you intend to make multiple identical items. Or to overcome a lack of skills" Clear and succinct...o...

I just finished an end graft on a Concert Uke. I tried two mehods that didn't work, e.g., router and an edge guide affixed with double backed carpet tape and a jig that clamped to the bench. The carpet tape seemed a bit squiggly and the jig might have worked if I could have clamped the instrument do...

I took Mario's advice and fashioned a handle on a file and used that to level my abalone rosette. Worked like a charm. See pic. A file with a wood "handle" glued to one surface is what I use. Any sandpaper, even backed by a hard block, will tend to also remove some of the top's wood, where...

I did consider putting tape down, but thought that would leave the abalone just a tad proud. I avoided taking the abalone down to the same level as the wood and will give the tape idea a try to finish up. I'm on the Oregon coast and shopping is limited, so that polymide tape probably isn't an option...

The thin CA arrived yesterday and I installed the rosette then applied the thin glue. Hope I didn't trap any air inside the glue, as I applied the glue to both sides of the rosette. I altered a file by smoothing the edges and gluing a handle on one side. Nest comes the time consuming job of filing t...

Question on installing the abalone rosette: I have a new batch of med. CA glue that I was thinking of using for installing the abalone rosette in my project, but I think I've read somewhere that the process should be to install the whole rosette, then carefully apply thin CA and allow it to sink in....

Well, I bought StewMac Medium and Thin CA glue. It's more than I'll ever use. Anyway I ordered the medium thickness first, then called and asked that they add the thin to my order. . It's the week-end and the thin has yet to arrive. So, I'm just going to have to try using the medium for installing m...

About the teflon Spaghetti. Can someone recommend a size and a source? I've looked around and found lots of it in bulk, but all I need is a few inches and it needs to be very small. If it is some kind of hollow tubing, it escapes me how that would work as it would let air in. What is the trick.

Alan: Where does one find "Teflon Spaghetti"?

I've had my StewMac CA glue for about 4-years ago. The thin and thick glues still work, but they aren't as runny as I remember. Since I don't need very much of this stuff at any time and since it thickens up over time, I'm wondering if I can avoid buying so much of it. It looks like I'll just throw ...

Rosette.jpg Today, in an abundance of caution, I made a fake rosette channel and inlaid the abalone. I had several abalone pieces, a little less than an inch square. Using the proper saw, I sliced several of these pieces into 1/4" strips. Next, with a dremel and cutting disk, I parted each pie...

Here is a picture of the flamed sides. Thanks for asking.

Thanks, guys for all the help. I decided to go with the reinforcement under the soundhole idea. I've cut a bunch of 1/4" X 3/4" abalone strips to use for the rosette. I plan to inlay short pieces of the ab using CA glue. Then I'll use a file, as suggested to assure that the AB is flush. Co...

Bryan: Thanks for the half baked humor. I chuckled.
Good news. I managed to flame both sides and then sand with a foam sanding pad and they're looking good. Something terrible has to happen next.

Hey, Bryan...SUP?
How's that uke comin'. Any more pics?

Bryan: The side that was overcooked is dark on both the inside and the outside. The coloration is consistent. The side that I flamed is just dark on one side and the coloration varies. It looks like I'm going to have to flame both sides a bit to get consistency. Problem is, when I flamed the one sid...

I'm building a concert uke. Oregon Myrtle sides and back. I built a form and used it with a heat strip for the bend. I used a router speed control to manage the temperature. Made a sandwich of heat strip/metal strip/wood wrapped in wet toilet paper and foil/metal strip. Heated the sandwich to 300 f ...

Thanks, guys for all this good info. Got a plan now.

The abalone is .058"