ernym's bench

[ernym]

 I'd like to build another Sultana and post some along the way.

[ernym]

Ribs need more thinning then ready to bend.

[MikeC]

I just browsed through the old build thread.  That one turned out nice.   I'll be watching this one.  

[ernym]

I won't document too many details on this one, just a few photos along the way. The first one has more info if there is further interest. It was fun and I'm very grateful I got to colaborate with Conor and Addie.

 

[ernym]

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/50260https://collections.mfa.org/objects/50260

[ernym]

Here's a little tip to make sure the end pin hole is drilled straight and perfectly on the centerline.

Before glueing the bottom rib transfer centerline to outside of bottom block, remove block and drill on drill press. Then glue block back onto form lining up the centerline. Now glue rib on and when garland is removed from form carefully drill though inside hole in block and through rib. 

 

 

[resonant]

Looked at your 'Sultana', beautiful instrument. The 'scroll' on it is interesting, I had been trying to think of some design for myself that is more of a facet/the ornamentation is more 2d than a sculpture, just like your inlay - if that makes sense. Good inspiration.

Good luck for your current build, looks like it's going well. Wish you many more builds.

[ernym]

Sultana, Cither Viol, Psaltery - The forgotton instrument

Sultana - A very mistaken identification.pdf

 

 

Psaltery labelled ‘Mead in London 1762 / R L’ (Photograph reproduced by kind permission of Andrea and Roger Bruderlin of www.earlymusicalinstruments.com).

[ernym]

One more bend...

[ernym]

Willow linings...

Looks like Kevin is still selling these handmade clothes pins. With the added castrating bands they have perfect tension and are quick to apply. 

*Thanks to Evan Smith for recommending the castrating bands over regular rubber bands.

https://www.ladyandthecarpenter.com/kevins-quality-clothespins/

[Urban Luthier]

Nice work as always E!

[ernym]

Thank you Chris.

[ernym]

Working out a new scroll...decided to use the original inlaid piece but changing the scroll, drawing inspiration from another design. I'm using my 5 string Maggini template. The only difference is the top extends a bit longer but the hole spacing remains the same.  I make a mockup template, scale it down to size and then make a final working template.

*I don't use the drilled peg spacing to mark the hole locations they're just a visual reference. I always layout the holes on the neck while the block is square then drill.

[Woodland]

Looking forward to see how this one turns out. Looking at the photo of the rib stock gives me another excuse to pick up one of the Lie-Nielsen 212 scraper planes, which I've been thinking about for some time. Looks like you've got one of the bronze ones, which are currently unavailable. I'm thinking I'll have to pick up one of the iron-bodied ones sooner than later.

[ernym]

22 minutes ago, Woodland said:

Looking forward to see how this one turns out. Looking at the photo of the rib stock gives me another excuse to pick up one of the Lie-Nielsen 212 scraper planes, which I've been thinking about for some time. Looks like you've got one of the bronze ones, which are currently unavailable. I'm thinking I'll have to pick up one of the iron-bodied ones sooner than later.

They're nice. I debated whether or not to buy one. My LN62 with toothed blade makes quick work of thinning ribstock. And then I would use hand scrapers but the scraper plane does it more uniformly and leaves a nice finish. It may a bit of a luxury but now that I have it I'm glad. Be nice if it was a little wider.

[Woodland]

Moving forward my cornerless violins will have Tamarind (tetul) fingerboards, which I understand is more difficult to work, the scraper plane should be a big help with that job. Last week I had a bass come into the shop with some neck issues that necessitated planing both ends of the cheap ebony fingerboard, the 212 scraper plane (which I borrowed from a coworker) was the tool for the job, hands down.

I called Lie-Nielsen today and they confirmed that the bronze-bodied plans are out of production for the next few years, it looks like the iron-bodied plane will be my tool.

[ernym]

Bummer, I was going to order a toothed blade for the 212 when I bought it but they were out of stock for quite awhile. I just checked and they're available right now. I don't really need one cause I can get by with the LN62 toothed blade. It would be nice to have a 212 toothed blade before they become obsolete. The larger 112 scraper plane is a little overkill for violin/viola ribs but might be good for cello.

Have you checked Ebay for a bronze 212? I've seen them for sale there. 

* Ebay has a brand new one right now.

[Woodland]

Yep, and the competitive bidding has already started waaaay too early into the auctions, so I won't even bother. I don't believe in paying too much for something just because it's currently unavailable new, so a new iron-bodied one should work just fine. The bronze bodies weigh a bit more, but not that much more (.15 lb) and have better corrosion resistance, plus the visual aspect is nice, but I'll be grateful to own whatever is currently available new.

[ernym]

Yeah bidding can get out of hand with Lie Nielsen and Bridge City Tools.  I got lucky and scored a Bridge City #7 low angle block plane off Ebay. I think it's one of the nicest block planes ever made. I've seen these go ridiculously high. 

[ernym]

Squaring a wedge neck block...

 

[ernym]

I like the neck blocks from Rausch Tonewood

[ernym]

Neck block resawn, ready for template and peg holes...

[ernym]

Working scroll template...

Further along...

 

 

[ernym]

Huge Loss...

I had my garland on the back of my flatbed truck getting some UV and forgot to take it off before going out. Lost somewhere along the roadside. Have to start all over from scratch. A new half template and form is needed. Thankfully I still have Conor's tracing and notes and without that it would be game over.  I have more ribstock and block wood.

[Sean Couch]

2 hours ago, ernym said:

Huge Loss...

I had my garland on the back of my flatbed truck getting some UV and forgot to take it off before going out. Lost somewhere along the roadside. Have to start all over from scratch. A new half template and form is needed. Thankfully I still have Conor's tracing and notes and without that it would be game over.  I have more ribstock and block wood, but... damn.

Then my dog killed our resident squirrel who was on our feeder, poor thing was still half alive so I had to shoot it to put it out of it's misery. Bad day!

Oh my, I can’t even imagine. I’m sorry for the loss, the garland was gorgeous. I would be beside myself if I lost that much work.

I know I am not supposed to comment on other peoples’ threads since I haven’t completed my first violin yet, but from what I have seen from your posts, I’m sure you will recover. But damn,. damn.., damn…, it has to hurt.