Progress pix

[Michael Darnton]

I just started making a viola. It's the first time I've ever shot progress photos, so maybe some will find it entertaining. It also means I'm getting some photos on my site, finally, though for now this set won't be linked through from my main pages: Viola progress pix.

[cantata]

Your pictures are definitely worth a thousand words. Beautifully shot, too.

Before seeing your pics I had never quite understood the spatial relationship between template/ purfling/ ribs/ actual violin edge.

[jackc]

Thanks, Michael. I for one will be watching. I appreciate the work involved in your taking and posting the photos. Probably adds at least 30% to the time required to build the viola.

Jack

[Seth_Leigh]

Wow, very cool Michael.

A couple comments.

1) It doesn't look like you much care which way the grain is oriented on your corner blocks. Any comment?

2) Wow, very beautiful wood for the back, and by the darkness that remains, apparently quite old. How old is that wood? How do you hold down the wood while planing the back like that? I'd like to start using the plane to flatten my next wood plate, rather than rubbing it over some sandpaper glued to a granite plate.

3) I learned a ton just by looking at the pile of shavings you left during scraping. My shavings look partially like that but mixed in with much finer dust indicating that my scraper is not sharp enough. Yes, I suck so much I can learn a ton just by looking at a pile of Michael Darnton's shavings. Hahahah!

4) I need to get me a toothed plane blade like that. It would really simplify a lot. So far I'm hating thinning ribs.

What technique do you use to avoid overthinning the edges, or contrariwise, leaving the central region of the rib too think? Using a scraper with what I thought was the same technique I can see in your hands, my edges thin faster than the center.

[fiddlecollector]

Good idea Michael and very nice pics,i suppose that comes with being a photographer.Scraping is one of my pet hates,

Is this your shim stock and do you sharpen both edges/sides or just at a 45 degree angle on one side.

I think my problem is the steel im using , it never hold a edge long enough to take proper shavings.Any tips?

What steel is this?

Does anyone know if old Japanese replacable saw blades are suitable.(the very thin ones 0.4-0.6 mm)?

I don`t envy you making a viola though!

[Michael Darnton]

No, I don't care about grain orientation in the corner blocks--they don't do anything much anyway. I'm more careful with the endblocks, though.

The wood is at least 25 years old--I bought it from another violinmaker who'd stopped making violins. I don't know how old it was when he bought it. To flatten it, the wood is clamped at the ends between my bench dog and the vise dog, with cello posts under the thinner edges to keep the piece from rocking.

I think most people don't know how to sharpen a scraper. The trick is to get the edge as sharp as a knife, in this case with a 45-degree bevel on one side, and then use the absolute minimum force and pressure to turn a TINY hook. That's all you need--more pressure will damage the edge. This particular scraper is a common rectangular cabinet scraper--about 0.8mm, I think..

I made the toothed blade with a dremel and a cutoff wheel, from a normal blade. I just added a shot of the blade for you to the series.

If you spend more time on the center, you'll come out all right. Let the edges take care of themselves.

[Cliff Green]

Thanks for the pictures. Your end blocks and corner blocks seem to be different species of wood. What are they?

[Michael Darnton]

They're all spruce, as will be the linings.

[jaf67]

I was looking more at the shavings also, as my teenage daughter walked in. I was trying to describe to her what Michaels pile of shavings mean, she shook her head and told me what a sick lot we are. I think I'm starting to get it.

Thank you for sharing Michael.

[hghareeb]

I never seen you posting on the board ,,

It is great idea I liked the wood and I'm waiting for the next step >> .

[jeff1]

Great job Mike and Thanks for shareing!!

[MANFIO]

Michael, I'm relieved you don't care about block grain orientation, because I've never cared about that too! I'll never feel guilty for that again!

Michael, would you please talk a bit about your model choice? The enlarged violin form was largely used by makers but today there is a trend towards violas with a differente shape, in general wider. Thank you.

[Craig Tucker]

Interesting stuff Michael. Thanks for posting it.

Guffaw!

I can't do it! I ALWAYS bookmatch the corner blocks... Actually, I was taught to do it that way, and continue the practice. (perhaps it is because I have a mental block!)

I book match my bread when I make a sandwich also. I KNOW it doesn't make any difference, but there you go!

[Tropicalfruitmom]

Wow, these are great! I can't wait to show them to my students at school. I have a few that will be mesmerized. Now to develop a lesson plan! Geez, Michael, what have to gotten me into !

[Michael Darnton]

I've never had much luck with wide viola models. I don't build many violas, but the best ones have had narrow waists. So that's what I'm doing this time. It could just be something about the way I do it. This one isn't even as narrow as the best viola I ever made.

[xania]

Those pics are very informative!

It's made me realise though that making a violin may be a bit beyond my capabilities.

Thanks for posting them, though.

[dick l graham]

dont get psyched out by these great pictures, just be like the bumblebee that doesnt know the rules of physics says he cant fly and just does it anyway. Im thrilled with the neat tips of another way of doing it, and many thanks again Michael

[Michael Darnton]

Yeah--remember I don't do it all at once by throwing the pieces up in the air and not letting them down until I have a viola--I just plug away at it one tiny (relatively simple) piece at a time, until, weeks later, I have an instrument. If you think about the whole process all at once, it gets too discouraging--in fact that's the first thing I had to learn--to disappoint my hyperactive desire for immediate results. :-)

[Ron1]

Thanks Michael, for the very informative photo progress post. We beginners, and yet-to-begin-ers, form rather vague, fantasy-like ideas of the instrument-making process. This thread brings it into reality for us. It really is like Manfio says, sooner or later it comes down to just you and the wood.

[TQpiffle]

Excellent lighting!

Please keep us updated.

Terry

[ricecereal]

Michael, regarding to your "Marking the rib thickness", how do you adjust (or measure) the distance between the nut head and the point/scratcher to the thickness? Do you mind post the complete picture of this tool? Thanks.

[Michael Darnton]

I call it a gradchopper. It's built a bit like a papercutter. I use feeler gauges to measure the gap, or something off my bench that happens to measure right. Here's a drawing of the whole thing:

[TimRobinson]

The photos are really great, I think they are the best I have seen of the construction of an instrument (what else would we expect from Mr Darnton?)

Could I put in a plea for a photo that includes the maker himself at work?

Regards,

Tim

[Victor J. Colon]

Michael..

The Mapple is a Domestic red-rubbrum Mapple..? Very nice patina on the pix or.. Do you store your wood in a cabinet with UV lamps?

Cordially

Vic

[Michael Darnton]

No, the maple is German. Don't believe everything you see in the photos as regards color. This is the first time I've shot this type of stuff, and I'm learning as I go on. :-)